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ABOUT PENÉLOPE
Penélope is a co-founder of local.foundation, fostering strong communities, and a tech lead at Contentserv. She drives innovation in the PIM market and builds collaborative tech communities in Algarve. Known for her creative hobbies and event organizing, she believes in the power of people working together to solve problems.
ALWAYS ASSUME WELL-INTENT.
Penélope Gonçalves
PENÉLOPE IN A NUTSHELL
Co-founder
local.foundation
area of expertise
Community Building / Management Portugal 🇵🇹
companies Penélope has worked for
PENÉLOPE AS A LEADER
Leadership is about empathy, collaboration, and continuous learning, balancing business goals with human-centric approaches.
Leadership is not ordering others to do things you know know nothing about.
Great Leaders use every opportunity to learn with and for their team.
The future of leadership is collaborative communities working together.
When I think of a leader, I think of someone who openly admits their flaws and celebrate tehir qualities.
GREAT LEADERS USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WITH AND FOR THEIR TEAM.
Penélope Gonçalves
PENÉLOPE ON OVERCOMING SELF-DOUBT IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD
In the early stages of her career, Penélope faced significant challenges rooted in self-doubt, particularly as a woman in the tech industry—a field often dominated by men. Initially, she questioned her ability to tackle complex challenges, a sentiment that is not uncommon among her peers. However, by bravely confronting these insecurities, she learned that the path to overcoming them lay in continuous learning and surrounding herself with supportive mentors. These mentors helped Penélope understand that the thinking process behind problem-solving was just as crucial as the knowledge itself. This realization empowered her to build confidence and credibility, ultimately establishing her as a respected leader in her industry. Penélope’s journey serves as an inspiration for others, demonstrating that self-doubt can be transformed into a powerful drive for growth and achievement.
PENÉLOPE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVE OUTLETS FOR LEADERSHIP
Penélope emphasizes the value of creative hobbies in her leadership journey. She believes that engaging in creative activities, whether it’s music, painting, or writing, offers leaders a unique way to manage stress, channel frustrations, and develop patience. For Penélope, these hobbies provide a consistent pace and a safe space to make mistakes, which in turn fosters resilience and innovation. By allowing herself to explore creativity without the pressure of perfection, she has cultivated a mindset that is adaptable and open to new ideas. This practice not only enhances her problem-solving abilities but also enriches her leadership style, making her more empathetic and effective in guiding her team through challenges. Penélope advocates for leaders to embrace creativity as a vital tool for personal growth and professional success.
SOMEONE THAT NEVER MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WITH EXPERIENCE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS, EVEN IF IT SCARED HER.
Penélope on becoming a better leader
INTERVIEW
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