4 min. read
An interview with Monika about embracing chaos, AI transformation, and why “you have ‘no’ for granted” became her career mantra.
Monika, you joined OLX in September 2021. Since then, you’ve held five different roles. That’s… a lot. How did that happen?
I know, it sounds intense. But each change made sense at the time.
I started as Program Manager for Customer Experience, then became Senior Program Manager for Product Operations, then Product Operations Lead, then Lead Technical Program Manager. Now I’m Transformation Program Lead.
Every year, something new. New responsibilities, new teams, new stakeholders. And yes, each time it came with stress and doubt – “Can I actually handle this?”
But here’s what I’ve learned: each change shaped my next decision. It helped me get to the next level. I gained the experience required to pick up the next role.
Even if the change is only for learning – that’s huge.
What’s the biggest transformation you’ve witnessed at OLX?
AI. Without question.
For the last year, I’ve seen how fast the organization is adapting to this AI revolution. Previous changes were challenging, sure. But I could handle them with my existing knowledge, experience, and resilience.
This time? It’s different.
With AI, I need to unlearn my previous ways of working. The habits I used, the approaches that worked – I have to let them go and find new ways to solve problems.
That sounds uncomfortable.
It is. And there’s another thing: the risk of failure is much higher.
When you’re doing what you know, what worked before, the failure risk seems lower. In this new reality with AI, failure is almost guaranteed. Trials, experiments, just doing and testing until we succeed – that’s the game now.
You can’t control something that’s changing so fast. You have to be ready for the unknown. For the chaos.
So how do you adapt to that level of uncertainty?
I see that the only way to solve the current challenges is in others. The team. Collaboration.
I share my feelings and fears with teammates. I look for people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to help me see problems from different perspectives. I can’t solve this alone.
We’ve shortened our planning cycles, and we focus on only a few goals so we can deliver impact quickly. The pace is important.
And honestly? I find myself quite natural in a changing environment. There’s a thrill in the unexpected and the new. I gain energy from seeing opportunities instead of fears.
I am not afraid of what’s coming. I can’t wait to shape it.
You’ve been through a lot of change in just five years. What kept you here when you could have left?
I’ve always seen growth perspectives for me. New project, new responsibility, new learning, new area of expertise, personal growth.
I’ve witnessed and been part of several changes, and each time I’ve looked for the positive aspect. The opportunity to make an impact and grow.
The glass for me is half full.
How do you handle the anxiety that comes with constant change?
I’ve learned about change – the natural human reaction to it. The more aware I am, the more I can observe my own emotions.
When I’m doubtful or anxious, I can observe those feelings, analyze them, and explain to myself that what I feel is natural, and it will all be better.
But I’m lucky. At OLX, I’m not alone. I have others who are empathetic and compassionate, and we support each other. That’s a huge value – having a great team that will support you in difficulties or challenges.
What would you tell someone who’s feeling anxious about our next phase of growth?
On my professional path, I’ve met a lot of wise people, and some of their words have stayed with me for years.
One message I received from a great Product Leader: “You have ‘no’ for granted.”
Each time I was afraid to ask for something or make a decision, I would remind myself that the “no” is always there. I can only fight and win the “yes” – and it’s been always worth trying.
Till now, only “yes” is the answer I’ve received. So I recommend this approach.
Looking back, which change felt scariest at the time but turned out to be your biggest opportunity?
The scariest change is always the most recent one because it comes with more questions than answers.
Every change is daunting. Every career step—whether it’s changing roles, responsibilities, teams, or stakeholders—brings stress and doubt.
But all those changes were necessary to shape my next decision. They helped me reach the next level. I gained the experience needed to take on new roles. In each role, I met new people, learned a lot, and found inspiration and ideas.
What’s your biggest learning from five years of constant transformation?
That uncertainty isn’t the enemy. It’s the environment where growth happens.
And that you can’t do it alone. The team, collaboration, diverse perspectives, support – that’s what gets you through.
The glass is half full. There’s always an opportunity. You just have to be willing to see it.
Monika’s story is part of our “Built for Change” series, celebrating colleagues who’ve chosen growth over comfort. If you’re someone who thrives on transformation rather than stability, explore our open positions. Your first reinvention at OLX could start here.
