Meet Nikolay Ermakov, Product Owner in our Serbian Office, an example of one of our core values: Honest and Responsible. At Aquiva, this value means a commitment to doing what we say, a commitment to building trust through transparency, constructive dialogue, and integrity.
If you’re curious to learn more about how Nikolay applies these values in his role, delve into our interview with him below.
Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to Aquiva Labs?
Before joining Aquiva, I built my career in large companies. Over the years, I’ve taken on roles as a team lead, consultant, and project manager, gaining valuable experience managing timelines, budgets, and resources.
However, I realized I wanted more than just overseeing projects from a high level. I wanted to dig deeper into the work itself and truly understand what’s happening within the projects. That’s when I decided to make a shift to a smaller, fast-paced environment that embraces Agile methodologies. And that’s how I found Aquiva!
What has been one of your most memorable experiences or achievements in Aquiva?
The most memorable experiences are often the painful ones where you learn valuable lessons. We once faced a tough situation where we told a client what they wanted to hear instead of the full picture. Although the situation was not easy, our ability to address it effectively with minimal impact demonstrated our resilience and commitment to improvement. This experience highlighted the critical value of honesty and transparency in our client relationships.
This month, we're highlighting the core value of "Responsible and Honest." How do you personally connect with this value, and can you provide an example of how you embody it in your work?
Personally, I connect with this value by prioritizing transparency and proactive communication in all my interactions. I believe that being open and honest with clients, especially when things aren’t going as planned, is crucial for building trust and maintaining a strong working relationship.
Sometimes, clients may not realize that additional action or assistance is needed from their side. That’s why it’s essential to always be transparent with them. When delivering news, it’s important to approach the client with a solution on how to address the issue. When clients are kept in the dark, they can become anxious, leading to frustration on both sides. Instead, we should make it clear that we understand the situation, explain why it happened, and outline the problem along with a proposed solution. There should be no self-deception or deception of the client.
What advice would you give to others about incorporating a "Responsible and Honest" approach into their daily work?
Focus on open communication to incorporate an “Honest and Responsible” approach into your daily work. Ensure the team understands the client’s perspective and the product’s value, and allow them to voice their thoughts and concerns openly. They need to understand how their work contributes to the product and its overall value. It’s also essential to allow the team to say “no” when needed. If the team always agrees, it might indicate that something isn’t working well.
Don’t be afraid to suggest different options. As a Product Owner, I might have one idea, but developers might have different insights that I might not be aware of. Tasks can and should be adapted based on collective input. Continuous improvement and adaptability are crucial.
What are some of the hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of work?
My main hobby is spending time with my family. We often go to Ada Island in Belgrade with the kids to swim and relax. I try to focus on staying active and healthy. Recently, I found a way to integrate regular exercise into my daily routine.
Do you have a book, movie, or podcast that inspires you or that you would recommend to others?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on humanity’s future and where we’re headed. I recently listened to a podcast called “The Naked Mole Rat” featuring Kalmanovsky, a scientist who popularizes science. The topics discussed in this podcast really resonated with me.
I also found a book, The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution by Richard Wrangham, which explores these ideas more deeply. The book raises questions about why people are so kind and friendly in everyday life but can become extremely cruel during conflicts. It delves into the paradox of virtue and the phenomenon of self-domestication. The core idea is that we have domesticated ourselves; we exclude the most aggressive individuals from society, and aggressors are often punished or even executed. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I highly recommend it to everyone.
What is one thing you’ve learned at Aquiva Labs that you think everyone should know?
It’s essential to trust your team and the company you work for. I noticed that sometimes I tend to over-control and micromanage my team, essentially engaging in “babysitting.”
I’ve learned that giving people the freedom to do their work is important. If you want others to trust you, you must also trust them. Nowadays, I can rely on others to do their job and patiently wait for the results. Trust is a two-way street; fostering it within a team creates a more effective and harmonious work environment.
