Continuous improvement is a lifelong journey for me: Meet our HR Manager | People of Accace

Meet Kristína Jánošová, our HR Manager at Accace Headquarters, who has discovered the perfect harmony between her professional dedication and personal well-being through a lifelong passion for sports.

In our latest People Of Accace interview, Kristína shares how the discipline, consistency and patience she’s developed through sports have directly shaped her approach to HR. For her, movement is woven into the fabric of her daily routine, supporting both her physical vitality and mental balance. What started as a source of joy has become her way of maintaining focus and resilience in her professional life.

Sports seem to play an important role in your life. When did that passion start, and what keeps you coming back to it?

I’ve been passionate about sports for as long as I can remember. It all started around the age of ten with horseback riding, then it continued with football, dancing, later the gym, and for the past three years I’ve been fully dedicated to boxing. I often say that working out has become as natural to me as brushing my teeth – it simply needs to be part of my daily routine, otherwise I feel like something is missing. I do sports mainly because I truly enjoy it, but also because it’s my form of mental well-being.

What have you learned through sports that you feel has shaped you personally?

Through sports, I’ve learned the value of discipline, consistency and patience. I’ve realized that progress often comes in small steps, and that perseverance pays off even when results aren’t immediately visible. Sports have also taught me to listen to my body and mind, to respect my limits while still challenging myself, and to celebrate small victories along the way.

Do you see any parallels between the mindset needed for sports and the one you bring to your work in HR?

There are many ways in which sports and my work in HR connect. Boxing, for example, has taught me to stay alert and adapt quickly – skills that are just as valuable when working with people. Sports also help me maintain perspective and keep a clear head, which is essential in a role that requires empathy and problem-solving. Just like in training, the focus isn’t only on immediate results, but on continuous improvement and learning from every situation.

Do you ever find that your personal time or hobbies help you maintain better balance in a people-focused role like HR?

Absolutely! I believe that personal time and hobbies are essential for keeping balance in a people-focused role like HR. Spending time on sports or other activities allows me to recharge and clear my mind, so I can show up fully for others. In fact, I’ve noticed that some of my best work solutions come right after a training session! People often assume that HR professionals are extremely social, but just like anyone else, we sometimes need to recharge our batteries with a little time just for ourselves.

How do you stay motivated in moments when progress, whether in sport or at work, feels slow or invisible?

When progress feels slow, I try to focus on the small wins and the process rather than just the end result. Again, using boxing as an example, improvement comes in tiny steps, and if you only look at the big picture, it can feel frustrating. The same goes for work: sometimes projects or changes take time, and results aren’t immediately visible. In those moments, I remind myself why I started and try to keep a positive mindset. And on days when staying positive is tricky, I can always count on my amazing colleagues Monika and Saška to lift my spirits.

What mindset or habit from your personal life helps you most when facing challenges at work?

I like to think that just as one bad training session doesn’t erase all the progress I’ve made over time, a temporary setback or challenge at work can’t overshadow everything that’s going well. Personally, I’m a very structured person, so when a difficult situation arises, I try to break it down into smaller steps and focus on what I can do right now. I’m also naturally competitive, so I must admit that challenges feel attractive to me. Of course, you don’t always succeed, but you can always learn something from it.

Are there any personal or professional goals you’re currently working toward? something that’s keeping you focused or inspired right now?

I’m the kind of person who sets big goals and has big visions but prefers to work on them quietly rather than talking about them publicly. I can share, though, that all my professional goals focus on doing my job as best as I can and being the best support possible – whether for my colleagues, managers or our CEO. Continuous improvement, both at work and in my hobbies, is a lifelong journey for me.