Building and nurturing an exceptional Team – Insights from Alea
In a recent discussion, Alexandre Tomic, the founder of Alea, shared his insights on the crucial role of cultivating an exceptional workplace culture and building the right team. His approach to leadership extends beyond strategic aspects, focusing on creating an environment where individuals feel deeply valued, akin to a home away from home.
Tomic likens himself to a gardener, nurturing the growth and development of his team and the company. “I’m the one taking care of the garden, not myself directly, but the office,” he says. Despite his relocation to Cyprus, Tomic remains deeply involved in the company’s operations, ensuring that the office environment is conducive to productivity and growth.
For Tomic, the office is more than just a place of work—it’s a second home. “There’s a small place where I sleep up there,” he says. This sense of homeliness extends to the entire team, fostering a sense of belonging and value among the employees.
While strategic leadership is a crucial aspect of his role at Alea, Tomic emphasises the importance of creating the right environment. “First of all, it’s about creating an environment where people can feel like home and feel that they are truly valued,” he says. This focus on the individual’s experience within the company underscores Tomic’s commitment to cultivating an exceptional workplace culture.
Recruiting the right people
Tomic acknowledges the paramount importance of assembling the right team. “The number one thing is being able to recruit the right people,” he says. “They’re going to do everything after. You don’t have to do anything.” This trust in his team’s capabilities has been a key factor in the company’s growth, which has seen a 15 percent monthly increase even after his relocation.
Tomic describes the invaluable contribution of his cohesive, long-standing team with gratitude and pride. Their collective efforts have steered the company’s success, a testament to the power of a strong workplace culture. “We did everything we had to do before to put that in place,” he says, “and despite the fact that I left and that we only have one or two meetings, we’re having a growth of 15 percent per month.”
Tomic explains the significance of assembling a core team for a growing company. He said that while a company’s size can vary, the crux of its success lies in identifying and securing seven key individuals. These exceptional team members are the linchpins that drive the company forward, and once they are in place, the trajectory of the company’s growth becomes a matter of time.
Tomic’s personal journey over two decades in the industry acknowledges the rarity and value he puts on his current team’s synergy.
The ongoing conversation with Alexandre Tomic provides a fascinating insight into the mind of a founder who places immense value on workplace culture and team dynamics. His leadership and philosophy have clearly made a significant contribution to Alea’s success.