Anamaria Catrin: “The most effective way to achieve performance is to do what you are passionate about.”

With a vibrant passion for people and a curiosity that has always guided her down the right path, Anamaria Catrin – Organizational Health & Wellness Professional – Wellness Pro – has found her vocation through a combination of trials and experiences. There wasn’t a clear “aha” moment; rather, it was a series of “ah, this makes me happy!” – and the positive feedback from those around her came as a natural confirmation.

Throughout her career, Anamaria has learned firsthand that assuming we all think the same is a recipe for chaos, and the key to structuring it lies in clear communication and a healthy dose of empathy. This has fueled her thirst for learning something new every day.

C&B: You mentioned that your vocation was discovered gradually, through a series of experiences that brought you satisfaction. What moments in your career have had the most significant impact on how you perceive your role in people management?

Anamaria Catrin: The most impactful moments for me have been when I saw firsthand how personalized support can transform people. I find this applicable in both areas I am very close to, both in mental health and in business. I have been fortunate to witness astonishing transformations that have also generated – like a domino effect – massive changes within myself.

If I were to look back to the beginning of my career, a key moment for me was when, as a master’s student, I coordinated a project in psycho-onco-pediatrics. I saw how people who were facing great hardships managed (with the right guidance and the right team) to find the resources to fight against dreadful pathologies and, moreover, some even became victors.

Another key moment for me, this time from the business area, was when I guided a team through a crisis moment. The team was facing a major upper management change, and this change brought a more authoritarian and rigid leadership style than the previous one. It is easy to understand that this crisis had a significant impact on the team’s psycho-emotional well-being, leading to a decline in morale, productivity, and even an increase in the voluntary turnover rate.

Intervening in such a situation involved working on two pillars – with the teams, to develop coping mechanisms for the new conditions, without significantly affecting their psychological well-being, and with the new manager, to develop empathetic leadership skills.

Thus, I saw how the entire team regained their trust and performance.

These moments have reinforced my belief that my role is to create an environment where people can authentically develop and become the best version of themselves.

C&B: Positive feedback from those around you has been a confirmation for you. How do you use feedback in your daily work to improve the performance of the teams you work with?

Anamaria Catrin: I firmly believe that effective use of feedback can accelerate individual and collective development, contributing to a stronger, motivated, and performance-oriented team. I use feedback to create a secure framework, to encourage open communication, and to foster an assertive and healthy climate.

Specifically, I constantly provide feedback, validate the efforts and contributions of team members I work with, thus motivating them to continue in that direction. People who feel validated, seen, and appreciated for their authentic positive impact are those who perform most easily.

C&B: You emphasized the importance of clear communication and empathy. How do you manage to improve communication within the teams you collaborate with to prevent misunderstandings and organizational chaos?

Anamaria Catrin: To improve communication and prevent misunderstandings, I ensure that I lay the groundwork for a safe space for fluid and authentic dialogue, using active listening that is clear and concise. I also provide and seek constant feedback to minimize ambiguity.

C&B: Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for effective people management. What strategies do you use to develop these skills among leaders and employees?

Anamaria Catrin: What a lovely question!
I work enthusiastically on developing wellness and mental health programs for the organizational environment, which support companies that want to cultivate a harmonious and balanced work environment.

To develop empathy and emotional intelligence—key elements for effective people management—I organize self-awareness and personal development workshops, as well as coaching sessions. I encourage constant feedback and active listening, along with creating an open and secure environment where emotions and perspectives are accepted and respected. I also use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) exercises for emotional awareness and to improve self-regulation.

C&B: You have a continuous thirst for learning something new every day. How do you fuel your curiosity and ensure that you keep your knowledge and skills updated in a dynamic work environment?

Anamaria Catrin: To stimulate my curiosity and keep my knowledge updated in a dynamic work environment, I set aside time each day to read a few pages from a book or relevant articles. I constantly specialize, participate in courses and workshops, and engage in discussions with colleagues to learn from their experiences. I regularly set learning goals and apply the new knowledge to the projects I work on, ensuring that I remain connected to the latest trends and innovations.

C&B: Throughout your career, you have learned that assuming we all think alike can lead to chaos. How do you help leaders in organizations understand and appreciate the diversity of thinking and perspectives within their teams?

Anamaria Catrin: To support leaders (and not only them) in understanding and appreciating the diversity of thinking and perspectives, I organize sessions focused on awareness of individual differences, highlighting the importance of empathy and open communication.

I encourage leaders to get to know their people and their needs well and urge them to create an environment where every team member feels free to express their ideas and actively contribute. I also emphasize the benefits of collaboration among people with different styles and perspectives and promote diverse feedback to demonstrate how varied approaches can lead to innovative and effective solutions.

C&B: You recommend the continuous development of employees. What methods or learning programs do you consider most effective in helping them grow professionally and personally?

Anamaria Catrin: The most effective path to performance is to do what you are passionate about. When we are fortunate enough to find our passion in our professional activities, we remain motivated, curious, and dedicated to the ongoing process of self-improvement.
I recommend mentoring, coaching, and personalized programs that address the specific needs of each employee, thus providing individualized support. Additionally, practical learning programs, such as real projects and workshops, are extremely useful as they facilitate the immediate application of new knowledge and contribute to the development of both professional and personal skills.

C&B: How do you approach difficult situations where communication may become a barrier to collaboration between teams, and what techniques do you use to resolve these issues?

Anamaria Catrin: I create an open dialogue space where all parties involved can express their views and concerns. I introduce structured communication methods, such as regular meetings and clear agendas, to minimize the risk of confusion or lack of information. I review the objectives and roles of each team to ensure alignment and calibration. Often, communication problems arise from misunderstandings related to expectations or responsibilities.

C&B: What advice do you have for young people who are just starting out and may be facing the fear of making mistakes or feeling uncomfortable in certain learning situations?

Anamaria Catrin: My training as a psychologist helps me understand the underlying mechanisms of the fear of failure—exposure to criticism and the trauma of failure—and motivates me to approach this topic with compassion.
I would recommend to young people at the beginning of their journey to try to look at themselves with kindness. It’s not always easy, I know that, but I believe everything starts from one’s mindset. We can choose to turn inherent mistakes into opportunities for learning and growth.
Then, I would use a metaphor: How do we eat an apple? Piece by piece. I would “slice” objectives into small, progressive steps. Each small achievement will bring you one step closer to the desired goal and will reduce the fear of making mistakes.

C&B: At SMART HR 10, you will discuss the power of communication in leadership. What is the most important message you want to convey to leaders about how they can transform organizations through effective and empathetic communication?

Anamaria Catrin: The main message I want to convey is that effective, empathetic communication based on trust has the power to transform not only the relationships within teams but also the organizational culture. When leaders authentically focus on people and communicate openly, actively listen, and validate the emotions and perspectives of those around them, they create an environment where people feel seen, understood, and motivated to truly contribute. In such an environment, collaboration and innovation are enhanced, and organizations become more flexible, resilient, and high-performing.