How did your time at USWPS shape the professional you are today? Any favourite courses or professors who sparked your passion?
USWPS was more than just an academic experience for me; it was a journey that offered me a sense of direction. What truly made a difference were the lecturers, true professionals in their fields. My first encounter with Professor Wojciech Kulesza in social psychology was a defining moment. His ability to explain complex theories in a practical, relatable way made me realize how powerful psychology can be in real life. This inspired my first training course, The Role of the Individual in a Group, based entirely on social psychology principles.
Then there was Dr. Magdalena Przedniczek, PhD, who opened my eyes to cognitive psychology, but it was her Cognitive Psychology in Practice course that lit the spark for my second training, How to Learn and Not to Procrastinate. She showed me how to unlock the power of memory through simple tricks and tactics.
Last, but not least, there’s Dr. Agata Wytykowska-Kaczorek, my Pro-Dean, who was my biggest motivator. She inspired me to become a proactive student and to take my role in student government seriously. Being Vice President of the Student Council for one and a half years made me realize how deeply I wanted to work with people and advocate for students, which I continued at UWSB Merito. That spark to lead and be involved with the community never really left me since then.
Were there moments during your studies when you thought:‘This would work perfectly in the office’? How did you blend what you learned with what you were doing at Accord Group?
To be honest, my time at USWPS felt very much like a separate chapter and I never really tried to blend the two. The skills I build at university didn’t directly apply to what I was doing at Accord Group. I wasn’t trying to inject social psychology or cognitive theory into the office space, because my work was much more hands-on and dynamic. The foundation I built in those years helped me become more aware of human behavior and more aware of how I could create meaningful experiences for people – skills that a moment later become the backbone of my leadership training workshops.
Juggling student life and work must have been a real challenge. What were the ‘balancing tricks’ that helped you keep it all together?
My team was key here – especially Lidia, who was there every step of the way. She kept me motivated and reminded me that everything I was doing had a purpose. But beyond that, I knew why I was pushing myself so hard – it was all about getting to the point where I could finally start running professional leadership workshops, which had always been my dream. Of course, there were sacrifices. I had to say no to friends and events to make room for work and academic projects, but I knew this was all part of a bigger plan.
Did your involvement in scientific circles feed into your big dream of running workshops?
Absolutely. Joining scientific circles was like planting the seed that eventually grew into a whole garden of opportunities. It started with small collaborations, running training workshops at University, but my ambition never allowed me to stop just there. I began seeking opportunities outside the academic circle, reaching out to places I knew, like my old high school, and offering training workshops for free. It wasn’t about money, it was about gaining experience and building credibility. The feedback I received and seeing the real impact my sessions had on people, made me more confident to do more.
Eventually, it snowballed. I was invited to run trainings for other organizations. My first professional training came through YNG, followed by one at my present University, i.e. UWSB Merito, where I am currently doing my masters. That first session was a game changer. It had the largest turnout of students and it is being considered a repeat event, to be continued next year.That moment was a real turning point for me.
Training others sounds like both a dream and a challenge. What gave you the confidence to step into that role?
Oh, the early days were a rollercoaster of stress! Before my first training, I was overwhelmed by the fear of being misunderstood or forgetting my material. But practice – a lot of it – was the key to my confidence. Each session I delivered helped me get more comfortable and confident in what I was doing. The feedback I got from participants was so precious; they helped me refine my skills and gave me the reassurance I needed. I knew I had the knowledge, because I spent hours crafting and revising each course, but delivering it in an engaging way was an entirely different piece of challenge.
The first time I led a graduation ceremony at USWPS, I was overwhelmed – but it also gave me a huge confidence boost. The students and staff had heard good things about me, so the trust they put in me was incredibly affirming. It was moments like these that made me realize: yes, I could really do this.
What’s the story behind your first big training project with Accord Group? Was it a ‘pinch me’ moment, or more of an ‘am I really doing this?’ situation?
It was a bit of both, to be honest! I had talked about running workshops for so long that when the opportunity finally presented itself, it felt surreal. But the moment I was asked, I didn’t hesitate. My hand was already up before the question was even finished. This was the moment I’d been working toward and I felt I was ready for it. I was excited and knew this was the right step forward.
You’ve gone from the CEO’s daughter visiting the office to leading projects and training others. How do you define your unique place within the Accord Group?
I’d say I’ve carved out a dynamic role that goes well beyond my starting point as “the CEO’s daughter.” Now, I’m someone contributing to the Accord Group’s leadership practice forward - leading projects, sharing knowledge and empowering others through workshops It’s a unique combination of responsibility and impact. I work hard for making it count every day.
New Year is just around the corner. What advice would you give for others dreaming of walking a similar path, so that they can implement in 2025 and beyond?
Start small, be consistent and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. I began my journey with pro bono training, running workshops for small groups at places I knew. At the time, it wasn’t about the money; it was all about experience. The doubts I had then – whether I could do it, whether it would be worthwhile – were part of the process and I wish I’d known that progress isn’t linear.
There will be moments when you’ll have to make sacrifices – sometimes putting personal desires on hold for a bigger goal. Looking back, I can confidently say it was worth it, because every step, no matter how small, brought me closer to my dream. And here’s the most important lesson I can share: every experience matters, even the ones that seem insignificant at the time. Also: remember to surround yourself with people who support you, embrace every success – no matter how small – and remember that every step forward is a step toward realizing your goal. Do not wait & make it happen in 2025!