Brana Prikic

My favourite book is Linchpin by Seth Godin. I enjoy it because Godin does a great job describing the difference between people he calls “linchpins” versus just “replaceable cogs in the system.” Linchpins are valuable thinkers, innovators, and movers who make a real impact within organisations rather than just waiting around to be told what to do.

The book helped shape my perspective on taking initiative, being resilient, and focusing on making meaningful contributions, rather than simply conforming. Godin’s message resonated with me and continues to inspire me to be the type of linchpin leader he advocates for.

One of my favourite quotes is by Margaret Mead: “Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.” I love how this quote acknowledges that while we each have our individual experiences, talents, and perspectives, we all ultimately share the same human experiences of love, loss, hardship, and personal growth.

As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of time travel and would often fantasize about being able to travel back and forth through different eras. I loved imagining the adventures I could have experienced firsthand in different periods of history.

While I still appreciate the imaginative concept, the responsibilities of adulthood don’t leave as much room for such fanciful daydreaming nowadays.

One activity I hope to always make time for, even as other commitments come and go over the years, is reading and writing. As long as I can remember, I have had a deep love of books and the magic of storytelling.

Whether it’s for pleasure or work, engaging with written words allows me to constantly learn new perspectives and fuel my creativity. I find so much joy in getting immersed in a great book or sharing my ideas on the page.

If I could choose a new career path, I would love to be an author. Writing is one of my deepest passions, and I have always dreamed of being able to support myself full-time through my writing.

As an author, I would have the freedom and flexibility to write about the various topics that are most meaningful and important to me, whether that’s exploring personal growth, leadership perspectives, or insight from my different work experiences over the years.

Of all the alternative careers I could imagine, becoming a successful author would allow me to fuse my joy of writing with making an impact. It’s truly my ideal ‘second-act’ profession.

If I had complete freedom, what I think I would truly love is setting up some type of incubator program. The goal would be to identify promising individuals working on addressing real-world issues through technology but from a perspective of ethics and environmental sustainability.

I would like to provide help through funding, mentorship, and resources to help nurture and develop their talent, and help turn innovative ideas into reality. By confronting the challenges of digital transformation with a human-centred approach, I believe such startups could create meaningful change.

One of my biggest motivations is the puzzle-solving aspect of my work. I enjoy taking on a complex challenge or project that may not have a clear solution initially, but working methodically to gather relevant information, insights, and input from others to help bring everything into focus.

There's satisfaction in compiling the various "pieces" to get closer to envisioning how the "final picture" might look. I derive a lot of motivation from that process of testing ideas, and gradually watching my original vision evolve as new perspectives are incorporated.

My family has contributed massively to my career success by providing unconditional support and understanding. They recognize that I am very passionate about my work and am willing to fully invest my time and energy into projects.

At the same time, my family understands how deeply I care for them and their well-being. They know that while I pour myself into my career, I will never leave anything truly important unfinished on the home front. Their belief in me has contributed enormously to being able to pursue my goals over the years.

One major obstacle I've observed is that career progression is often still viewed too narrowly as something individualistic, when in reality professional development today requires more of a collaborative, communal mindset.

The nature of work has changed such that no single person can solve major challenges or drive large-scale change alone. What's needed instead is bringing more participants and diverse viewpoints into the process to expand our thinking and make more informed decisions together.

An even bigger challenge is the tendency for people and companies to focus too much on individual accomplishments rather than generating real collaborative movements. But those able to lead and unite others behind a shared mission will achieve much greater success in the long run. We must make a shift towards viewing career growth as a social endeavour, if our industry hopes to truly progress, rather than an isolated career path.

One of the major obstacles facing the technology industry is the challenge of effectively communicating complex issues clearly and understandably, to a wide audience. In the past, I struggled with this obstacle myself—as the complexity of projects and problems increased, I found that my explanations became more intricate, relying heavily on technical terminology.

Through experience, I've learned that addressing complexity requires simply presenting information using everyday language, with a clear and cohesive narrative.

Throughout my career so far, the feedback I've consistently received is that I am seen as highly reliable, human-centred, and result-oriented. No matter the scope or scale of the project, people know they can rely on me to thoroughly and carefully complete any task I take on.

I also focus on centering people and stakeholders in my work, ensuring their unique needs and perspectives are well represented. These human elements combined with a passion for results seem to be what stands out to others about my work style and contributions.

From what I've seen, the best accelerators seem to be networking extensively and developing strong presentation/communication skills.

Building a broad professional network is essential for opportunities, collaboration, and learning about the market. You never know who may be able to introduce you to your next client, investor, or important new contact. Equally important is being able to clearly and passionately present your visions, products, and business case to convince others of your potential.

In the end, those who network strategically and know how to sell their story well, seem to be able to scale more quickly when the chance comes.

The questions I tend to get asked the most revolve around achieving results in a relatively short time, generating additional revenue streams, and identifying ways to reduce costs and save money.

One thing I appreciate about my work is the complexity and dynamic nature of the environment I operate in. There is never a dull moment trying to solve intricate, multi-faceted problems on constantly shifting terrain. I thrive on the mental challenge of navigating uncertain situations that require flexibility and creative solutions.

Some of my biggest role models, throughout different stages of my career, have been women who demonstrate incredible poise, assertiveness, and the ability to break barriers. Whether they are teenagers just starting out, or highly experienced leaders in senior positions, I feel immense admiration for women who make their voices heard while navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces. They inspire me to constantly push into new areas and expand my horizons.

The advice I would offer is to focus your energy on translating your work—whether that's analysis, findings from projects, or other contributions—into clear, actionable next steps and deliverables.

I'd also advise building your professional network from the very beginning of your career. Connect with others, find mentors, and look for opportunities to collaborate. Technology is vastly improved through diverse perspectives and experiences. Your network will support you professionally, and help drive real change.

I would characterize my default leadership style as a blend of transformational and democratic approaches. Whenever possible within given schedules and timelines, I prefer a style that motivates and inspires people to achieve shared goals, by developing their strengths and aligning priorities.

I also believe in an inclusive, democratic decision-making process to bring together different perspectives. However, there are inevitably times when short deadlines or crises demand more of a business-minded style, which requires me to directly intervene or push initiatives across the finish line through clear directives.

Through experience, I've learned that some of the most valuable skills, beyond direct management competencies, have been strong social and emotional skills. Maintaining optimism even during challenging periods, having empathy for different perspectives, and practicing patience, go a long way in any leadership scenario.

Technically, anyone can dictate directives, but soft skills like positivity, empathy, patience, and maintaining a solution-oriented mindset, have proven instrumental in navigating both smooth and rough waters throughout my leadership journey.

One approach I've found effective is being extremely open and transparent in all communications with my team. I make sure to openly discuss anything and everything we encounter, whether it be challenges, setbacks, or successes. This builds trust. I also focus on understanding individual and team needs, and then working to remove obstacles or roadblocks that are hindering progress or satisfaction. Showing I have their backs by addressing concerns helps build commitment.

My gut intuition plays an important role in my decision-making. Through years of varied experiences, I've cultivated a strong intuitive sense that helps guide me in uncertain situations. While data and rational thinking are also important factors, I've learned to trust my gut feelings on certain matters, as they are often based on deep insights gained from the past.

Early in my career, I made the mistake of trying to resolve a customer service problem solely through email correspondence. Without speaking to the customer directly, I drafted a written response that I thought addressed the issue.

However, my boss wisely suggested I contact the customer by phone first before sending anything. Taking that call revealed important additional details I had missed. Speaking to the customer in person allowed for a better understanding of the full situation and her perspective. It enabled me to craft a much more empathetic resolution over email afterward.

Since then, I've learned that customer issues are always better handled through prompt and personal communication, rather than making too many assumptions as a result of only writing.

One lesson I learned the hard way is the importance of directly communicating with customers, instead of only dealing with their issues through written correspondence. Whether returning emails, designing products, or processes, I stop to consider how my work impacts the end-user experience. I aim to address customer needs while removing possible issues. This daily mindset of prioritizing the human element has served me well in keeping service quality high.

As a woman, I can't say I've personally faced any obvious disadvantages. I've been fortunate to have supportive managers who judged me based on my work.

However, on a broader level, implicit biases can still subtly influence perceptions and opportunities sometimes. On a more positive note, the workplace is becoming more equitable, but some imbalance likely remains.

Yes, I would recommend considering a career in technology. While this industry has been historically male-dominated, it presents many exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. For young women interested in STEM fields, technology offers a chance to develop in-demand, future-proof skills and have an influential role in shaping the products and services we increasingly rely on.

There are also many mentoring programs now available for women entering tech to help them navigate different challenges. Additionally, having more diverse voices and perspectives involved in the direction of the industry can lead to the creation of more inclusive technologies.

The telecommunications industry my business operates in is undergoing major changes, as the role of connectivity providers evolves. Traditional telecom services are being enhanced with new cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), and cyber security capabilities.

This transformation allows us to offer technology solutions beyond basic connectivity. However, our focus is increasingly on advanced tools and platforms that leverage this connectivity foundation, such as cloud infrastructure and storage, IoT monitoring systems, and SD-WAN optimizations.

To me, technology is a tool that can be leveraged strategically to solve problems, drive innovation, and improve experiences. When applied appropriately, it allows companies to streamline processes, gather important insights, and deliver their products/services to customers in compelling new ways.

Technology dismantles barriers by connecting people in powerful ways previously not possible. It also continually shifts the way in which business is done, keeping organisations on their toes.

However, it is not a replacement for planning, forethought, and experimentation. Significant technology investments demand vision and management throughout every phase.

In short, technology in itself is simply a medium. Its impact depends on how creatively and meticulously it is implemented to achieve user and business needs.

I see a few notable technology trends emerging in the coming years. There will continue to be a push for more intuitive, user-friendly solutions that don't require extensive training. Technologies also need to be quickly adapted and scaled across an organisation in a distributed manner, not just through big, centralized deployments.

If I had to choose one invention that has had the most profound impact, I would say the smartphone. Smartphones bring together so many groundbreaking technologies—high-resolution touchscreens, always-on internet, GPS, advanced cameras, and incredible processing capability—into an easy-to-use portable device. They have reinvented how we interact, work, learn, get around, stay informed, and connect with others daily.

I believe technology has the potential to greatly benefit society if guided responsibly. It drives major advances in areas like personalized healthcare, renewable energy, access to education, and sustainable infrastructure. The connectivity and computing power of the digital age also enable new solutions to social and economic problems through design-thinking approaches.

At the same time, careful consideration must be given to implementing technology in a way that augments human capabilities without replacing crucial real-world, interpersonal experiences, or excluding those who don’t have access.

There are a few key methods I use to continue developing my level of proficiency in technology. I regularly read blogs and online articles from reputable sources to stay informed of the latest trends, innovations, and best practices. Listening to tech podcasts also allows me to learn on the go.

However, just as important as acquiring new knowledge, I make sure to take breaks from screens to allow my brain to process information. It's about maintaining a balanced approach—active learning mixed with reflection time so that I can strategically apply updates to continue working at the cutting edge of technology.

Many of our core business processes have been digitized for increased efficiency and productivity. Customer service, finance, HR and IT operations rely heavily on customized software and platforms.

These integrated digital solutions help save time on repetitive administrative activities, so I can focus on strategic tasks that require human judgment and creativity. It allows me to serve our customers at a higher level, while gaining insights to continually enhance our services.

A few sites I like are bookstores for finding new reads, art galleries for inspiration, and grocery/clothing stores for convenience. I also browse second-hand marketplaces which I find to be more sustainable. Travel sites let me discover new places I hope to visit someday too. LinkedIn is useful for my work, but otherwise, I try not to spend too much time on social media. In general, sites that spark creativity or simplify tasks are the ones I find most worthwhile.

One of my most-used and favourite technology items would have to be my smartphone. I appreciate how it allows me to easily keep in touch with family and friends through calls and messaging. It's also very handy to have Google at my fingertips for quick fact-checks or looking up information on the go.

On the other hand, a product I've grown less fond of is e-scooters. While they provide an alternative mode of transportation, from the videos and stories I've seen, they seem rather dangerous to ride on busy streets with cars around.

There are a few key factors that make each individual truly unique. Firstly, it's what goes on internally—our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, and life experiences, that distinctly shape our perspective.

Secondly, it's what we care deeply about—our passions, purpose, loved ones, and causes that motivate us. The things that light us up internally are personalized according to our interests and priorities.

But it's not just what's on the inside, our uniqueness also manifests in how we choose to apply ourselves externally. The way we contribute our talents, skills, and energy, through our actions, behaviours, and relationships.

Success is a complicated topic that can be defined very differently for each individual. Achieving worldly accomplishments or financial gain does not necessarily align with one's values or principles. True success is highly subjective, based on what matters most to a person.

At the same time, morality should remain non-negotiable. Shortcuts or unjustified actions that compromise core ethics, simply to achieve success, are never okay. While success may bring its rewards, it cannot and should not excuse harmful, dangerous, or illegal behaviour.

The mind and body are connected. What happens in one affects the other.

If you're stressed a lot or down mentally, it can slowly take a toll on your physical health over time. But not taking care of your body with things like diet, sleep, and exercise can also make you feel worse emotionally.