Agoda Leaders on Becoming a Better Version of Yourself

At aGROWda 2024—Agoda’s annual learning event, we held a panel discussion focused on personal development and becoming a better version of oneself. The discussion featured prominent leaders from Agoda, including Jeffrey Lee (SVP, Customer Experience Group), Anna Suchopar (General Counsel), and Damien Pfirsch (Chief Commercial Officer), with Swasti Pal (Principal Product Manager) moderating. The conversation delved into essential aspects of personal development such as self-talk, goal setting, feedback, and the importance of a supportive environment.

These takeaways offer valuable guidance for anyone striving to grow personally and professionally.

Listen to yourself. Know what matters to you and who you want to be 

Understanding yourself is the cornerstone of personal development. By gaining insight into your strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations, you can make informed decisions that align with your true self. This self-awareness allows you to set realistic and meaningful goals, manage your emotions effectively, and chart a clear path for growth.

“Personal development starts by listening to yourself and understanding your own desires and passions. It’s called personal development for a reason—it’s about how you want to develop, which is a very personal choice. You need to understand who you are, what excites you, and what you’re passionate about. Two people can be presented with the same opportunities and have very different reactions, so personal insight is very important in your development journey,” shared Jeffrey Lee.

Feedback, External Checkpoints, and Continuous Improvement 

“At Agoda we’re all about experimenting. What is not easy is to define the feedback that you need to validate whether you’re on the right track. I think it’s important that you have allies that will help you validate moments when you need to make decisions. Sometimes, it’s worse in your head than it is. And you realize that when you actually talk to someone,” said Damien Pfirsch, emphasizing one of Agoda’s core values.

Seeking feedback from managers, peers, and even family can provide valuable insights. Having external checkpoints and accountability partners helps in staying committed to personal development goals. Personal development is a continuous journey, where small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements over time.

Positive Self-Talk and Setting Achievable Goals 

“You can tell yourself you’re not good enough, or you can say, ‘hey, I got this 50% right. The next time, I’m going to try for 60% and 70%’ and get incrementally better. That’s a choice about how you frame it to yourself. Another helpful thing in a very diverse environment is the ability to look at different meetings or different situations and realize that nobody has it all perfect, even the person you admire who is really awesome.” Jeffrey explained.

Positive self-talk and framing challenges as opportunities for incremental improvement are crucial for personal growth. Recognizing that no one is perfect and setting realistic expectations can significantly contribute to your development. Rather than overcommitting to multiple changes at once, focus on one or two SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals at a time to track progress and achieve success.

Creating a Safe Space to Fail and Balancing Life 

Creating a safe environment where failure is accepted as part of the growth process is essential. Support from colleagues and peers can help in rebounding from mistakes and learning from them. It’s important to be kind to oneself and recognize that not every day will be perfect. Balancing personal aspirations with professional responsibilities requires setting priorities and sometimes saying no to certain tasks.

“Not everyone can be 100% every single day. It’s really important that people do have the safe space to be able to make mistakes and be supported by their colleagues and peers in how they rebound from those.” Anna.

Mentorship, Coaching, and Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 

“Someone once told me to always aim to be the dumbest person in the room. By surrounding yourself with clever people, you elevate your own abilities. Once you become the smartest person in the room, it’s time to find a new room. Being around inspiring individuals with desirable skills and qualities helps you absorb their knowledge, social cues, energy, and drive. Thus, choosing who you spend your time with and how you focus your time is crucial,” shared Anna.

Surrounding yourself with mentors and coaches who offer constructive feedback and support can significantly accelerate personal growth. It’s also crucial to understand the distinction between a mentor, who provides personal advice, and a coach, who focuses on specific goals.

Tracking Progress and Continuous Self-Assessment 

Keeping track of your mood and performance can provide insights into areas that need improvement. Tools like daily mood tracking can help identify patterns and make necessary adjustments. Continuous self-assessment and reflection on your journey are key to understanding what works and what needs to change, ensuring ongoing personal development.

Learn more about aGROWda 2024, Agoda’s global learning event here.