For the HUN version, please visit Bridge Budapest website: „Egyáltalán nem hiszek az egyszemélyes vezetésben. Az erő a csapatmunkában van” – Bridge Business
“I don’t believe in one-person leadership. Strength lies in teamwork.”
The members of the Bridge Leadership Community care about what they leave behind. They act based on values and with a long-term vision, committed to future generations. Mariann Mészáros, CEO of Dorsum Zrt., is one of them.
Bridge Budapest: When and why did you commit to Bridge Budapest?
Mariann Mészáros: Dorsum joined Bridge Budapest on a company level, but of course, I have a personal motivation as well. I’m drawn to it because I truly believe it’s time to give back to society, and that business leaders should think about how they can support future generations and those less fortunate.
Even a profit-oriented company should have a goal that points toward a shared future and a clear vision of the kind of world it wants to operate in.
Bridge Budapest: As a leader, what principles guide you? What are the values you never compromise on?
Mariann Mészáros: Perhaps most importantly, I absolutely do not believe in one-person leadership. I think in terms of teams, and I believe in the power of teamwork. That doesn’t mean I don’t make decisions on my own in certain situations, but I always listen to the team, consider all the pros and cons. Everyone with professional relevance to the topic can contribute to the discussion. I believe that’s crucial.
The second thing is humility. I think no matter how high you rise in any profession, it’s important to remain humble and to understand that your perspective is not the only truth.
And third, letting go of the chase for perfection. It took me a few years to understand this. But now I see that if we do a task effectively and to the best of our ability, then we should feel proud of it.
Bridge Budapest: When did you realize that your influence as a leader extends beyond your office?
Mariann Mészáros: Every company leader has a responsibility to find where they can help and to let that grow into a personal mission. That only happens if the leader can engage the organization and management they lead. For me, it’s also a matter of authenticity that we support a project we can connect with emotionally. If there’s personal, emotional motivation, then it’s easier to commit to a good cause.
I became truly aware of social responsibility when I connected with the Hősök Tere Foundation back when I was at Telekom. It felt great to see the wonders that can happen when help arrives at the right place.
And I feel my personal impact especially when younger colleagues ask for my opinion. That’s a very fulfilling feeling.
Bridge Budapest: What did you want to be as a child?
I mostly knew what I didn’t want to be. In high school, my teachers really wanted me to become a teacher or a doctor, basically something involving working with people, but I was very scared of that. I thought, “Definitely not that.” Interestingly, life took a turn, and today I work with many people. I had to grow into that. I had to believe in myself enough to carry the responsibility of leading so many people and to carry it with dignity.
Now I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Bridge Budapest: What advice would have helped you at the start of your career? Did you have a mentor?
Mariann Mészáros: I had many excellent teachers and bosses from whom I learned a lot. What I took from my early career is that I truly appreciate constructive criticism. My advice to the current generation would be to see the glass as half full, to try to find the opportunity and the good, even in difficult situations. And to make sure there’s a something good and worthwhile in every day: to notice and appreciate small victories, have meaningful conversations, or simply enjoy the sunshine.
Bridge Budapest: What kind of workplace would you like to see the next generation in?
Mariann Mészáros: I’d like to see a workplace culture that is open and accepting, one that values our diversity and recognizes that a multitude of opinions makes us stronger. During COVID, I noticed that when we were isolated from each other, we became less innovative. If we don’t continuously encounter differing perspectives and challenging counterarguments, we stagnate.
A good workplace is also one that’s open to critical thinking, which I believe will be one of the most important skills of the future. I feel that young people today are good at this. I would encourage them to nurture this skill and seek out workplaces that support it.
And finally: they should look for communities where they can see beyond their immediate job role, where they can understand the bigger picture.
Bridge Budapest: What kind of world would you like to live in?
Mariann Mészáros: A world where we accept that it isn’t perfect or ideal. One where we acknowledge that tension and difficulties exist, but also recognize that these challenges outside of our comfort zone are what lead to growth.
I like to think of life as a movie: it’s only good if it has excitement, joy, sorrow, and unexpected twists and turns. Socially, I would like to see the deep divide in society narrow, especially for extreme poverty to decrease.
I dream of a world where critical thinking gets more space in education, where we invest more in knowledge and in the health of society. And for those goals, we need organizations like Bridge Budapest.
