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Hello, this is Chris Parker with the Business Simplicity Podcast. I just had a conversation with Dimitra Retsina, a Chief Product and Technology Officer in the e-commerce space and a highly successful international tech executive. We discussed the importance of self-awareness and self-discovery as key traits of authentic leadership. We covered her personal journey, methods of reflection, blind spots, and how to build effective collaborations.

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Thank you, Chris, for having me. I believe it’s valuable to explore different self-awareness methods and how you can adjust how you engage with others to build successful partnerships.

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Welcome back to the Business Simplicity Podcast. I’m with Dimitra Retsina—originally from Greece, now based in the Netherlands. She’s the Chief Product Officer at Senta Commerce. We met at a recent meetup where we discussed self-awareness and self-care, which align with the ‘Lead from Love’ themes I’ve been exploring.

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Thank you, Chris. From our first conversation, I felt we shared beliefs in authentic leadership. I moved to the Netherlands in 2005, and even before moving, I chose to learn Dutch out of respect. My background spans both engineering and product disciplines. I’m also an ice hockey goalie mom and a part-time potter—it’s my mindfulness practice.

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Pottery brings calm. When working with the wheel, you have to focus completely or the piece collapses. It’s a mindful, grounding practice that helps me reset and return to work with clarity.

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Mindfulness and breathing are also important to me. I try to follow routines like the 5 AM club method—though not consistently. Practices like pottery and meditation help me succeed during intense periods by creating space to focus inward and recharge.

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For me, self-awareness means knowing who you are and aren’t, understanding your values, boundaries, and how you show up in the world. A pivotal moment in my journey came when I became a manager of multicultural teams. I started to question my values and how I presented myself. Reading ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’ triggered deeper reflection.

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Self-awareness in relation to others is vital. If you focus only on yourself, it’s ego-centric. In leadership, your actions impact others. When I recruit, I ensure my future teammates meet me because I influence the culture. It’s essential we understand each other.

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Your idea of ‘loving me, to love you, to love us’ resonates. I try to connect with the inner self beyond ego or physical form. Being in multicultural settings made me question assumptions and appreciate diverse truths about leadership and personality.

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Moving to the Netherlands changed how others perceived me, especially during political and economic shifts in Greece. You start noticing the contrast between cultural norms and how you were raised.

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Even within the Netherlands, regional differences matter. Tools like Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions help explain power distance, masculinity, and indulgence. Understanding cultural context avoids judgment and fosters awareness.

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My advice to new leaders in international environments: understand your context and your own values. What is non-negotiable for you? What motivates you? These answers form your leadership style and guide your team relationships.

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I’ve used many self-assessments to better understand myself and how I relate to others. One I found very helpful is Tony Robbins’ version of DISC, which provides deeper insights into communication styles and practical interfacing strategies.

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Tony Robbins’ DISC isn’t just color labels—it helps you understand how to adapt your communication style to connect with others effectively. It’s particularly valuable for remote teams.

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These tools only work if everyone is committed to adapting. At one company, my team interviewed me as part of onboarding. It was intense, but I learned a lot about presenting myself authentically.

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Since then, I always do all-hands intros to share who I am, even with partner teams. I treat this like giving them a user manual for working with me.

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I’m outcome-focused and move fast, which can overwhelm others. I’ve learned to adjust, like sending a pre-message before making a request to reduce stress. Feedback helped me realize the need for this.

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Self-awareness includes understanding how your behavior affects others and making mutual agreements to improve collaboration. It’s a partnership approach.

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My pursuit of simplicity often starts in complexity. I warn my teams that it may feel messy before clarity emerges. Some people thrive in ambiguity; others prefer structure. Knowing preferences helps me lead better.

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Without knowing your style and being open to adapting, you can’t build strong partnerships. Leaders must create environments where feedback flows both ways.

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I prefer collaborative tools that also define behavior—not just schedules. Simple choices like when meetings start or end can affect culture. These insights often come after reflection.

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Partnership extends beyond team lines. My team and my peers are all part of the same ecosystem. Leading effectively means being true to yourself and others.

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Mentoring is another form of leadership. I was fortunate to have an excellent mentor who asked insightful questions that made me reflect deeply. I hope to give back similarly.

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I also had a great coach during a difficult time. The support wasn’t about giving me answers but helping me uncover them. That distinction between coach and consultant is crucial.

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Thank you, Dimitra, for sharing so openly. I’ll include links to the Tony Robbins DISC and your LinkedIn in the show notes. This conversation is a gift to others navigating diverse, high-pressure environments.

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Thank you, Chris. I don’t speak about this often, but it’s deeply important. This was a great opportunity to reflect and share. I truly appreciate it.

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Thank you for listening. Visit ebullient.com. Don’t forget to like and subscribe on your favorite podcast player.