There are not too many women occupying leadership positions, and the remarkable career story of Lesya Kleputs, the Leader of Business Experience Center, serves as a testament to what is possible. Read on to dive deeper into her inspiring story and unlock the keys to success in the project management field.

Tell me, please, how did you start a career in Project Management? 

Before Project Management in IT, I worked in the construction industry. So, I knew what it's like to fix bugs in production or after release but in another area. My journey in IT began as a Technical Writer, and over time and different positions in the Project Management department, I've grown to my current role – Leader of Business Experience Center. 

There were many different moments along the way: moments of success and moments of some not-that-pleasant occasions. I remember my late stays in the office till 2 am during some hard releases. These were also the moments when I said yes to the challenges I was exposed to.

As a manager, what criteria do you use to select people for your team?

Of course, it depends on the level of the person we are considering for our team – the assessment is complex. But, first of all, we assess a person's decision-making skills. Quite often, we present candidates with just a few cases: if you faced a particular situation, what decision would you make in that situation? And to tell the truth, we always select real-life scenarios and work cases. And this is the first thing we look at. 

Is it possible to learn to be a Project Manager, or is it necessary to have some innate soft skills?

Some people believe that it can be learned. Some people believe that such a person must be born. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. 

It is a daily job with a lot of people, so you need to have a lot of self-discipline. It is about difficult conversations, it is about dealing with conflicts, it is about mediation. 

Therefore, soft skills are very important here. Everything else related to the profession can be learned. But as for personal qualities, they are more difficult to develop. However, they can also be learned, worked on, and improved. Emotional intelligence is something that can be developed very well. But it is always a combination of personal qualities, perseverance, and professional development.

You know many languages. Tell me, is it related to your professional activity? Or is it just your hobby, a desire for development?

I love to travel. It's not just about leisure, I enjoy communicating with people while exploring new countries. And, of course, in small towns, English isn't always widely spoken. But this is not the only reason. I just love learning languages. However, I can't say that I am fluent in many languages. But I am constantly learning them. Currently, I am studying Italian, German, and a bit of French in addition to English.

It is interesting! Is it important to have a certain level of English to enter the profession?

Language is the key tool for PM specialists. But, again, it's all about people – either clients or team members. You have to be able to talk to them. Therefore, the level of proficiency in the primary language used in a professional environment is of great importance. It determines how well you are understood, heard, and received. That is, it is not only about knowing words and being able to use them correctly. It's about intonation, and it's about diplomacy.

What is more difficult for you in your work: negotiating with clients or managing a team?

Actually, I enjoy building relationships, both with my team members and with clients. That's the reason why I love my job. Probably, it's all about trust in the quality of work, transparency of our communication and processes, and how open cooperation is in our company. I know many of our clients who came back to us because of how we handled the previous project: how we planned, communicated, monitored, and reported throughout the process. 

As a woman in a management role, do you think gender stereotypes are disappearing in IT, or do they still exist?

I will answer from the context of my work. I can't say that in this environment, especially in Avenga, I can point the finger at any difficulties, disdain, or underestimation. We just have such an atmosphere in which your professionalism is most valued.

34% of professionals in our team are women. We have had this indicator for a long time now, and it's a point we are proud of and continuously develop. We are free of bias and welcome anyone to join our team, regardless of gender. Your expertise matters here.

Each project is unique, as is each team. It is a continuous learning experience from all angles. Lesya, thank you for your answers. Thank you for never stopping and always striving for development.