Roxana’s day, from early morning resets to strategy sessions at the highest level, is a masterclass on how to balance people leadership and personal priorities. Roxana Dobrescu, 40, is the chief people officer of cloud-based commercetools. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in HR and shapes global talent strategies out of her hometown of Valencia, northeastern Spain. She talks about the benefits of hybrid work and the importance of empathy in leadership in this edition of A Day in the Life of an HR Professional.
Mornings are my daily reset. After living in Spain for a few years, I learned how important it is to start the day off right. Like the Spaniards, who start their day with a cortado (a strong coffee) and good conversation before caffeine kicks in, I do mine with something cool.
Black coffee is the next step, because this is when things really get going. What I do not? Grab my phone. The first 30 to 45 minutes should be spent making real-life connections.
It’s a tactical or smooth operation depending on the weather to get my kids out of the door. After that, I grab my leashes and take my dogs for a walk. I’m going to take a moment and soak up the sun. I will also wake up my mind and let my thoughts drift before the day gets busy.
When I open my laptop I am caffeinated and refreshed, ready to tackle whatever comes next.
I try to spend at least two working days per week in the office. I do this to break out of my home-work schedule, catch up with my colleagues and get a feel for what’s going on in the city.
The time I spend driving to work is priceless. Mornings are a time to catch up. I make sure to check in with my family, my sister and my friends.
I spend the first 20-30 mins of my day assessing what is happening. I reset my priorities, check Slack and go through my email. Although I normally end my day with a plan for the next, because of working in multiple time zones, things can change, evolve or, let’s face it, explode overnight. My morning check-in allows me to recalibrate and focus on the important things. I can then dive into my day with a plan.
There is no such thing as a typical day, but the hustle has a certain rhythm.
How leadership changes will be the biggest innovation in HR for the next five to ten years.
My mornings begin with meetings with my colleagues, leaders and executives. I also have a few conversations at a higher level with members of our team. I squeeze in sessions with my mentors, conversations with providers and engagements external stakeholders. In between, I either start a new project, or dive into the most recent updates to our ambitious roadmap.
I set aside about an hour per day to do creative work, whether it’s writing, preparing presentations or brainstorming for new initiatives. A big part of what I do is to be flexible. Adaptability is key because unexpected issues arise, schedules change and priorities shift.
I also have a full-time job as a mum and wife to my two energetic boys. Between work calls and strategic sessions, I may be rushing to the school to retrieve a forgotten rugby shirt, attending a last minute teacher meeting, or driving to practice.
For me, lunch is always my first meal. I try to keep it the same every day. If I can, I try to eat it at the same time every day. I also keep it healthy and light. Avocado, eggs, salads or soups — nothing heavy, just enough to fuel me and keep me feeling good. This is a great way to reset and get back into the swing of things.
I also love to travel. The real magic is in balancing work trips, office hours and home life. This includes family time, focus time, and being present to my team. Some days, I nail it. Some days I can’t do it.
When a company does not prioritize pay equity, fair promotion opportunities, and unbiased hiring, it sends out a clear signal: Some employees are less valued than others.
It’s always a good day when I sneak in a quick run with my dog or a workout. It’s the movement that grounds me, whether I’m pounding on the pavement or chasing my kids.
The biggest innovation in HR, excluding AI, will be how leadership evolves. Traditional top-down leadership will continue to give way to more adaptive, inclusive leadership. Leaders are becoming more enablers than controllers as teams become diverse and distributed. Leadership will focus more on emotional intelligence and vulnerability. Leaders must create an environment where their teams thrive and meet people where they are.
Leadership development will become more personal. Leaders will receive tailored coaching and support to help them grow along with their teams, instead of cookie-cutter programs. The focus will be on continuous, holistic education rather than simply checking boxes. In the future, leadership will not be about the person at the top. It will be collaborative with shared accountability and a focus on trust. This shift may reshape the way organisations operate and how we define leadership at work.
I am frustrated by the fact that equity is not included in the DEI conversation. Without equity, diversity and inclusion lose all meaning. Pay equity, fair promotion opportunities, and unbiased hiring are all important to a company. If they don’t, then it is sending a message that some employees are less valued than others.
This is not just a moral question; it’s also a business issue. If they want to retain and attract top talent, startups and high-growth businesses can’t afford not to consider equity. GenZ in particular expects inclusion that goes beyond the surface level. They want fairness and transparency, as well as real accountability.
Equity is not just a buzzword. It’s also the foundation of real inclusion. Companies fail employees who feel that bias limits their growth. Companies who get it right will have stronger and more engaged teams. Those that don’t, will struggle to compete.
As the day ends, I review People data, conduct interviews, and handle the less-than-fun but necessary admin – contracts, policies, etc. Then, I finish up and prepare for the next day.
Evenings are my decompression zone. It can be podcasts, or it could be booking family doctor’s appointments. I can switch gears on the drive home and forget about work, at least for the night.
