A 33-year-old recounts his rapid ascent from apprentice to leader, detailing his career progression.
Dynamically Forging a Path: The Journey of Besart Shala
Kickstarting his career as a bank apprentice, Besart Shala quickly ascended the ranks to become the Germany head of iBanFirst through sheer determination and eagerness to learn. He shares his insights on grabbing the spotlight as a young professional, the power of mistakes as catalysts for growth, and the importance of balance in a hectic lifestyle.
In a candid conversation with our platform, Besart opens up about his captivating journey from a bank apprentice to spearheading the Germany operations of a payment service provider, shaping strategies, and leading teams.
Carving a Niche for Young Professionals
Reflecting on his journey, he pensively reminisces about his days as a bank apprentice: "Early exposure to the corporate customer area during my apprenticeship was a pivotal moment. I instantly felt a spark – I absolutely loved it!"
Seizing Opportunities with Responsibility
As the youngest employee at Commerzbank in North Rhine-Westphalia at the time, Besart was given the unprecedented opportunity to step into the international business of the corporate customer area after his apprenticeship. This early exposure to larger companies was owed to his proactive approach towards creating value from the get-go and his eagerness to take on responsibilities.
Besart's knack for grasping opportunities didn't go unnoticed: "I always wondered, 'How can I bring value to the table from day one?' As an apprentice, I took charge of everything around it. This allowed my colleagues more freedom, which I leveraged for my own growth." Moreover, he embraced mistakes as stepping stones rather than setbacks: "I learn by doing. I just started, made mistakes, and taught myself a lot."
Embracing Growth Mindset – Then and Now
Despite his dizzying rise through the ranks, Besart remains humble and eager to learn. He maintains the mentality of an apprentice, a testament to his growth mindset. This hunger to learn was instrumental when he made the leap from a large bank to the fintech world in 2022. The transition occurred via LinkedIn and was nothing short of serendipitous.
"The pandemic made me realize that I missed personal interactions – I wanted to accomplish more, make an impact," he shares.
From a Tiny Office to Site Manager
At iBanFirst, Besart commenced his journey with two colleagues in a small office in January 2022. Today, they stand tall with 14 team members at their Düsseldorf site – a testament to their relentless growth. Besart was never shy about seeking external help or organizing training, believing that mistakes are stepping stones towards resilience. "Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Own up to them instead of hesitating. Over time, you develop a certain resilience," he emphasizes.
Teamwork and Camaraderie
What continues to guide Besart is teamwork: "We foster open communication across roles and positions. Everyone can seek advice." He also aims to structure his teams such that individual strengths complement one another, forging a powerful force that propels success.
In his capacity as Country Manager in Germany, Besart is tasked with building and expanding the Fintech powerhouse – one of the top three markets for the company.
A typical day in his life is unpredictable, he admits. "I'm usually the earliest in the office – I'm an early riser, especially as the father of three children. I help out at home in the morning, take care of getting the kids ready, and then commute to the office. I'm usually there shortly after eight."
Prioritizing Balance Amidst the Hustle
Lunchtime serves as a sacrosanct interval for Besart to unwind: "I engage in a half-hour to three-quarter-hour lunch break from noon. It's my time to recharge and prepare for the afternoon."
His advice for achieving a harmonious blend of work, family, and responsibility revolves around planning and setting clear boundaries: "I finish work at 5 p.m. on Fridays because my son plays football – I'm always there. My wife and I discuss the week on Sundays: Who takes over what, where can remote work help?"
His guidance for aspiring professionals: "Be audacious. Mistakes are par for the course. Recognize early where and how you can bring value – that will be greatly appreciated. Those who can do this stand out. And sometimes, you just need to go with the flow, because not everything can be controlled – much happens when you remain open."
- In his role as Country Manager in Germany, Besart continues to lead the growth of the Fintech powerhouse, seeking a balance between teamwork, individual strengths, and personal development within the rapidly expanding fintech industry.
- Embracing the unpredictable nature of the business world, Besart continues to leverage his growth mindset, seizing opportunities with responsibility and learning from his mistakes as he forges ahead in his finance and business careers.
- As a young professional with impressive achievements in both the banking and fintech sectors, Besart advocates for young professionals to be audacious, demonstrate value from day one, and recognize the crucial role of balance – especially in demanding careers – to achieve both personal and professional success.
