Meet Confio Series
In the bustling landscape of web3 startups/small companies, the spotlight often shines brightly on developers, praised as the architects of innovation. Yet, behind the scenes, a symphony of diverse talents also plays a crucial role in orchestrating the success of these ventures.
In this Meet Confio Series, we’re shining the spotlight on Melanie, our People and Culture Manager! She plays a vital role in fueling our growth and cultivating a lively company culture. Let’s get to know her better through this brief interview.
Q: What was your professional journey like before joining our team at Confio?
After completing my law degree in The Netherlands, I moved to London and started as a management trainee at Harrods. I was there for nearly 3 years, working in many different areas of the company. In my last role, I was HR Manager for Harrods UK. I then relocated to Yorkshire in the North of England and briefly worked for an HR consultancy before returning to university to do a degree in Organization Development & Consultancy. I then spent many happy years working as head of buying and merchandising for a small but fast-growing mail-order business. A few years as a freelance business consultant focussing on HR & talent acquisition followed before I joined Confio in 2022 as People & Culture Manager.
Q: How have your past roles and experiences prepared you for the challenges and responsibilities of your current position?
Working for a small company, you need to be comfortable with change and uncertainty, and I have had plenty of practice over the years! Whether it was navigating periods of rapid growth or adapting to frequent role changes within an organization, I’ve learned to navigate and even embrace change and uncertainty. It can feel stressful at times, but there is always an opportunity around the corner, and it’s best to make the most of it.
Communication is very important, not just about the practical impact of change but the impact on a human level. I have talked to the team about ‘liminality’; that state of transition, the in-between phase. That period between not knowing and knowing. It’s important to acknowledge that this sense of uncertainty can be stressful and that everyone will experience these moments differently. And having the language to describe how you feel can make it feel less scary. At the same time, it is also the time we grow and learn about ourselves as individuals and as a team.
Something else I have learned over the years is to approach new environments and people with a sense of curiosity, choosing learning over knowing. As a consultant, I worked with a variety of businesses — from engineering to clothing retail and even a sawmill, and there was always so much to learn. I am not afraid to ask questions in order to get an understanding of the organization, the wider environment in which it operates, and the challenges the people face.
Joining Confio has been a steep learning curve as web3 was a new space for me, and I find myself asking questions on a daily basis. Luckily, there is a real sense of “ask if you don’t (yet) know” at Confio. We have some serious brainpower on board, and people are always happy to share their knowledge (and opinions 😉). Whether it’s a discussion about floating points, pierogi, or the merits of CosmWasm Tracing, I am constantly learning.
Q: How does Confio stand out compared to your previous workplaces?
Confio stands out for its fully remote setup and flexible hours, which align perfectly with my lifestyle. The opportunity to work remotely has allowed me to spend more time in my native Netherlands while contributing to an international team.
Q: In your role at Confio, can you share some key aspects that make it a unique or rewarding place to work?
It may sound trite, but for me, it is the people I work with who make Confio a rewarding place to work. I really enjoy working with such an international team that brings such different perspectives and different senses of humor.
There is also a refreshing sense of honesty in that people are happy to admit when they are not sure about something; it’s more about getting it right than being right.
Q: From your perspective, what defines the work culture here at our company?
I find the work culture to be very human-centric. There is a strong recognition that everyone’s contribution is valuable and that there is life beyond work. The team is afforded the flexibility to organize their work in a way that suits them best. If that means taking a couple of hours in the morning to go swimming or taking a grandparent to the doctor, that is totally fine.
Q: Can you highlight a specific project or achievement during your time here that you are particularly proud of or that stands out as a unique experience?
Last Spring, we traveled to Porto for our annual retreat, and we spent half a day sailing on the Douro River. This was certainly a unique experience! We were split into 5 boats and had several races. For most, it was their first time sailing, so people had to overcome their fears. The day we were on the river, the wind was very strong and changeable, so we ended up having to tack very frequently, constantly adjusting to the new direction of the wind. This represented very well the situation you find yourself in when working with a team — you constantly have to adjust to a new situation and communicate with one another.
It was part of a communication workshop to highlight the importance of clear communication. What made it extra memorable was that one of the developers decided to jump/fall into the river.
I - the interviewer, would like to highlight Melanie’s invaluable support during that particular and uncertain period. Despite the challenges, she skillfully maintained our focus, calm, and open communication, ensuring we navigated through the situation with grace and determination. In the midst of turbulent waters, her unwavering presence kept us anchored and united.
Q: Additionally, for those who question the necessity of a People & Culture Manager in a small tech company, what insights or experiences would you share to address their concerns?
My past roles have taught me that, in the end, it’s all about people. If, as a company, you can create an environment where people feel engaged and that their contribution is valued, the team is more likely to thrive. We spend so much of our daily life at work that it’s important to make every effort to create a positive work environment.
In a fully remote setting, this requires extra determination; it is easy to feel disconnected and not understand where you fit into the bigger picture. This is why communication is super important. Also, when working with a fully remote team of different nationalities who may not have English as their first language, it is easy for things to get “lost in translation,” leading to misunderstanding, frustration, etc. We, therefore, organize team training on communication styles, helping the team become more aware of their own preferences and recognize those of others in order to adapt and communicate more effectively.
There are many advantages to working remotely, yet it can be lonely at times, too, even if you don’t realize it. We are social animals, after all, but everyone has different needs that need to be respected. Therefore, whilst we organize opportunities for the team to meet in person, there is never any pressure to do so. A colleague recently said that she feels lonely in her office sometimes (she works from home, as we all do) but never lonely in her work because she knows there are always others in the team she can connect with.
I firmly believe that people come first, and without our incredible team, we would not be where we are today. It is, therefore, hugely important to make sure that the work culture is such that the team can thrive. Our values inform how we do things at Confio, and it takes time and effort to reinforce this through what we say (and how), what we do, and how we interact with one another. You need to be deliberate about it.
It’s all very well said, “Confio means trust,” and therefore, we have a great company culture because we trust people to do their work (and yes, we trust in a de-centralized future). That’s not how it works; you need to reinforce your company’s values by how you interact with one another, how you talk to one another, and by connecting on a human level. It’s about seeing the person behind the role.
No matter how big or small your organization, people need to come first, and as a company, you need to work very hard to create an environment in which people feel engaged and can thrive.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Confio?
I would encourage anyone considering a career at Confio to reach out and connect with us through our website. Our inclusive culture and commitment to personal and professional growth make Confio an exciting place to work.
