Over time, what kept him there was that the day-to-day matched what he hoped for: work that moves, space to take ownership, and colleagues he trusts. The mix of local teamwork and a wider network of people to learn from has helped him keep perspective, especially when the work is complex or the pace is fast.
What “shaping what matters” looks like in practice
Markus sees "shaping what matters" as something you do, not something you say. It’s about working as a team, taking responsibility, and making sure the work connects to what really matters, beyond the next task on the list.
In his experience, the best outcomes come when people bring different strengths to the table and support each other through decisions, trade-offs, and change. That’s also what makes the work more enjoyable: shared wins, shared learning, and a sense that progress is something built together.
Learning through people (and the hard parts)
Most of Markus’s learning has come through working closely with others: on projects, in conversations, and through feedback that helps him see things differently. Having access to experts nearby and across the network has made a difference: when new challenges show up, he doesn’t have to solve everything alone.
