Gabriela Constantinescu: On Authentic Leadership and the Courage to Reinvent Yourself

Interview with Gabriela Constantinescu, Managing Partner of Antal International Romania, about authentic leadership, professional transformation, and the courage to reinvent oneself after a corporate career in banking.

Gabriela Constantinescu has over 25 years of experience in human resources, most of which in the financial-banking sector. She has held executive HR positions in major banks in Romania, coordinating complex recruitment, organizational development, and cultural transformation processes.

After a long corporate career, Gabriela chose to move into entrepreneurship, becoming Managing Partner at Antal International Romania. For her, this decision was not just a change of direction, but a return to the essence of her profession: directly connecting with people and supporting them in building sustainable careers and organizations.

Authentic and people-oriented, Gabriela believes in continuous learning, the courage to reinvent oneself, and in the power of leaders to create healthy environments where performance and humanity go hand in hand.

C&B: How did your career start, and what motivated you to join Antal International?

Gabriela Constantinescu: My career began more than 25 years ago when I saw an ad for a recruiter position at an international recruitment company. That beginning marked my path forever. Today, I felt the need to build something on my own. And I realized that Antal International, with the strength of its global brand combined with my expertise in the financial-banking sector, was exactly what I needed to start this new journey.

C&B: What do you consider to be the most important lessons you have learned as a leader over time?

Gabriela Constantinescu: I have learned that leadership is not about titles or formal power but about how you manage to be present for people.

I have learned that authenticity matters more than perfection. People need to know who you really are, not just what you expect from them.

I have learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable, to say “I don’t know,” to ask for help, to admit when you’re wrong, to talk less, and listen more. That doesn’t make you weaker—it makes you more human and credible.

And I’ve also learned that a leader’s role is not to control, but to create space—space for new ideas, for growth, for mistakes that lead to learning. If people grow and can manage on their own, it means you’ve done your job as a leader.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

Gabriela Constantinescu: The hardest moment for me was stepping out of my comfort zone more than five years ago. I suddenly found myself facing the unknown, without the safety net of a corporate structure. But at the same time, it was the most liberating experience. I felt that I could connect directly with people, I completely changed my field of activity, and I managed to help others with my expertise, without the filters of a corporation. It was hard, but it was the beginning of a journey that profoundly changed me—first and foremost as a person.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Gabriela Constantinescu: Yes. It has always been the desire to leave something valuable behind through the people I work with. Not necessarily spectacular projects, but the feeling that, through our interaction, someone gained more courage, grew, or discovered something in themselves they couldn’t see before.

I never aimed to “reach the top” in my career, but rather to create meaning for others and to feel that my work truly matters and is appreciated. There have been many obstacles—uncertainty, closed doors, moments of not knowing what comes next. But every time, I went back to the question: how can I bring value, here and now, to the people around me?

And that has always guided me—even in my current role.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your career, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?

Gabriela Constantinescu: At the beginning, I was impatient. I wanted to learn quickly, I wanted validation. I was much more focused on what others expected of me and less on what I truly felt.

Today, I feel much more grounded. I’ve learned that you don’t have to constantly prove yourself, that strength comes from authenticity, from staying true to your core values—even when it’s hard. I’ve become more vulnerable, but also stronger because of it.

My transformation has been from “running to be seen” to “creating space for others to be seen.” And that, to me, is the biggest change.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Gabriela Constantinescu: Some might say I was challenging, because I always asked them to look for new ideas, to push themselves further—because I could already see what they couldn’t at that moment. Some managed to grow and step out of their comfort zone. Others didn’t.

There are also those who needed to be seen, encouraged, supported. They are the ones who benefited the most.

Others would say they loved working with me because they knew I was there for them—to support them, to stand up for them.

And I think there were also people who only realized after I left what I was really like.

One thing is certain: I was never neutral. I left a mark in every organization I worked for.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?

Gabriela Constantinescu: It’s the one related to Antal International.

If someone had told me a few months ago that I would start a business in recruitment, I wouldn’t have believed it. It was a spontaneous decision that came at the right moment. When you’re in a large organizational structure—with resources, teams, and clear processes—you have a sense of safety, control, and predictability. But at the same time, I felt I was no longer growing, that I couldn’t truly contribute the way I wanted to.

When I decided to choose entrepreneurship, I stepped into the unknown, which challenged me, but I felt that was how I would discover freedom, authenticity, and the power to build something of my own. It was, without a doubt, the decision that changed my trajectory—not only professionally but personally as well. I’m very curious to see what this journey will look like for me in a few years.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural process or something you learned?

Gabriela Constantinescu: I think it was a mix of both—natural and learned. Natural, because I’ve always had the courage to call things as they are and to be direct, even when it made others uncomfortable. Learned, because over the years I discovered that leadership isn’t about being right—it’s about creating space for others, listening (especially), and giving trust.

I’ve made mistakes many times; I was perhaps too demanding or too quick to decide. But every experience taught me something. Today, I know that my leadership style is based on authenticity, trust, and the ability to combine vulnerability with firmness.

C&B: Have you noticed a change in the expectations of Millennial and Gen Z candidates toward employers?

Gabriela Constantinescu: Yes, absolutely. Millennials and Gen Z are no longer looking for “a stable job,” as perhaps my generation did. They want purpose, flexibility, respect, and trust. They want to feel that what they do has an impact and that they work in an environment that values them as people, not just as resources.

I see a clear shift—they no longer easily accept the compromises previous generations made. They want authentic, transparent leaders and organizations that prioritize culture and development.

I think this is both a challenge and a huge opportunity for many companies. Because when you understand these expectations and respond honestly, you attract incredibly valuable and loyal people. And I also believe that this generation forces us to become better leaders and to build more people-centered workplaces.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?

Gabriela Constantinescu: My day usually begins with an exercise in discipline and consistency: I remind myself why I do what I do. It’s my way of setting the tone and clarity for the rest of the day. It’s a simple mindfulness exercise I do before opening my laptop. This deep connection to my “why” helps me immensely.

I have a structured, results-oriented schedule, but I always try to leave space for new people and authentic conversations. My greatest satisfaction comes when I create a genuine connection with a client, a candidate, or someone on my team—when I feel that my work has a real impact.

I stopped trying to check everything off my list long ago. I now genuinely enjoy the diversity of my work—whether it’s meeting candidates, talking to potential clients, researching new recruitment needs, or writing (hopefully valuable) content for my LinkedIn followers. And not least, I try not to forget why I left the corporate world—to have time for myself and my hobbies.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them every day?

Gabriela Constantinescu: Authenticity, first of all. I’ve learned to stop wearing masks and to be myself, even when that makes others uncomfortable. Then, care for people. I’ve often felt that my role is to create space for others to grow. And, very importantly, continuous learning. As the years go by, I realize how much I still don’t know. Curiosity and the desire to learn keep me alive and connected to reality.

C&B: What are the main challenges and satisfactions of being a Managing Partner in a global recruitment and consulting company?

Gabriela Constantinescu: The biggest challenge is building trust-based relationships with clients and candidates while navigating the pressure of a highly volatile market, where requirements can change very quickly. It’s a role where I know I’ll have a lot to learn—first and foremost, to learn patience, because results won’t come overnight.

At the same time, the satisfactions I already experience are here, every day. I have the freedom to create, to bring value directly, and to immediately see the impact of my work. What brings me the most joy is when I manage to create the perfect match between a person and an organization—that moment when you feel you’ve changed not just a career, but also influenced the future of a company.

It’s a role that challenges me daily, but precisely for that reason, I feel I’m truly living what I do.

C&B: How do you see the evolution of the labor market in Romania and Europe over the next five years?

Gabriela Constantinescu: I recently wrote a LinkedIn article on this topic. In banking, the changes of the last five years have been greater than those of the previous two decades. Digitalization, stricter regulations, fintechs, more sophisticated clients, labor market pressures—all these are forcing organizations to reinvent themselves. The future belongs to those who combine digital literacy and AI understanding with collaborative leadership, resilience, and empathy. It’s a market that requires not only technical skills but also a great deal of humanity.

Gabriela Constantinescu’s story is one of courage, reinvention, and authenticity.