Sandu Mihăiță – Balanced Journalism and a Voice for Communities through the Normedia Platform

Sandu Mihăiță is an entrepreneur, accredited trainer, and project coordinator, with sustained activity in areas such as non-formal education, entrepreneurial development, strategic communication, and the management of local businesses. With over 12 years of professional experience, he has been involved in public and private funded projects, contributing to the training and support of young people, professionals undergoing career transitions, as well as small entrepreneurs in rural and peri-urban areas.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and two master’s degrees—one in Public Administration and another in Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management—providing him with a balanced perspective between understanding institutional mechanisms and the practical application of development strategies. He has delivered courses on entrepreneurial, civic, and social skills, alongside coordinating educational projects and local economic activities.

Sandu Mihăiță is also the founder of the national news platform www.normedia.ro, an independent journalistic initiative offering public-interest content, analyses, and relevant information in fields such as entrepreneurship, administration, education, and social life. Through this media initiative, he aims to bring the voice of local communities into the national discourse and to promote examples of engagement, courage, and professionalism.

Combining training, communication, and entrepreneurial initiative, Sandu Mihăiță remains a solutions-oriented professional focused on real impact, with a clear vision and commitment to sustainable development.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to pique the interest of those who don’t know you yet?
Sandu Mihăiță: I am a multidisciplinary professional with solid experience in vocational training, European funding, educational project coordination, and active entrepreneurship—someone who believes in the power of applied initiative, direct communication, and well-executed work, whether I’m working with aspiring youth, local entrepreneurs, or public institutions seeking real impact.

C&B: If we look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Sandu Mihăiță: Looking back on my professional journey, the red thread has always been the desire to build useful, meaningful things with concrete applicability. The first defining moment was choosing to study Political Science, followed by my master’s in Public Administration, which gave me a clear understanding of the Romanian institutional system—and the conviction that real change begins with people engaged on the ground, not with abstract ideas.

The second pivotal moment was entering the world of vocational training and European-funded projects. That’s where I moved from theory to practice. I started as a target-group expert, then coordinated activities, became a project manager, and delivered training on entrepreneurial, civic, and social skills. Working directly with people—some on their first job, others undergoing career transitions—made me feel responsible. I learned that impact isn’t measured in reports but in real changes in attitudes and confidence.

Another major step was assuming the role of entrepreneur and administrator. Launching the management consultancy SANDU PRO MEDIA SRL and the news platform www.normedia.ro, and engaging in the real economy, confronted me with the concrete challenges of the private sector: bureaucracy, limited resources, daily high-stakes decisions. This practical school of reality forced me to be adaptable, efficient, and solution-oriented.

All these stages shaped me—not by titles, but by how I learned to think, work, and relate to people and responsibilities. Today, I consider myself a builder of processes and ideas that work—grounded and direction-focused.

C&B: What was the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Sandu Mihăiță: The toughest moment in my professional journey was when I chose to take full responsibility for my own entrepreneurial project, without a safety net. It was a mix of pressure, uncertainty, and the absence of a stable support system. I was running a small business in a complex bureaucratic environment, while still coordinating educational projects. Balancing managerial responsibilities with involvement in training, communication, and personal development became a tremendous challenge.

I tested all my limits—from organizational skills to financial adaptation. No one was guiding me. It was my decision whether to close, endure, or transform. I chose transformation. I restructured, renegotiated, rethought. I learned to ask for help, accept uncertainty, and above all, prioritize what truly has long-term value.

That experience taught me that “difficult” is not synonymous with “failure.” It’s simply a space where you can’t improvise—you must become conscious, choose with clarity, and act without fear of loss. I overcame that phase by being honest with myself, learning from every wrong step, and rebuilding with new clarity and discipline.

Today, looking back, I can say that episode gave me the most valuable professional tool: the confidence that I can move forward—even when the context seems against me.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Sandu Mihăiță: Yes, there has always been a guiding thread in my steps: the desire to create things that endure, that make a difference, that have meaning beyond immediate results. Regardless of the role I’ve held—trainer, project coordinator, entrepreneur, or administrator—I’ve always pursued the idea of building real impact, whether in people, communities, or processes.

I was never attracted only by “titles” or positions. I am interested in sustainable construction, even quietly—to leave behind a well-designed project, a more confident team, a participant who has found direction, or a partner who gained the courage to start something new. That has also motivated me to invest in education, to establish the media platform www.normedia.ro, and to engage in real vocational training, not just formal.

My dream, in fact, is simple: to turn skills into autonomy and initiative into normality. To be able, years from now, to say that everything I’ve done—in business, training, communication—had a clear line: to help, to inspire, to work.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed up to now?
Sandu Mihăiță: At the beginning, I was motivated, curious, eager to learn, but I had a more idealistic view of how systems, projects, and people work. I believed that good intentions and sincere involvement were enough. I had lots of enthusiasm and perhaps too little patience. I wanted quick results, immediate confirmation, and visible recognition.

Over time—working directly with people, coordinating concrete activities, handling real pressures, and managing my own businesses—I learned that what truly matters is consistency, clarity, and the ability to keep going when no one is watching. I became more structured, detail-oriented, and empathetic. I no longer seek validation—I seek meaning, usefulness, and sustainability.

I’ve transformed from an enthusiastic executor to a professional with practical vision. Instead of trying to do everything, I learned to prioritize, build processes, and deliver real value. My evolution has been less about “climbing positions” and more about conscious learning, adaptability, and the desire to grow alongside the projects I lead.

Today I look back with gratitude, not regret. I’ve kept my initial energy, but gained discipline, direction, and a finer sense of responsibility. That’s the most valuable transformation I consider.

C&B: If we met with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Sandu Mihăiță: I think they would say I’m someone you can rely on, who doesn’t shy away from work, and doesn’t ask others to do what I wouldn’t do myself. That I’m committed, detail-oriented, and genuinely care about what we do—not just paper results. That I’m the kind of teammate or coordinator who knows how to push hard when needed but also understands when someone needs support or rest.

My collaborators know I’m demanding with myself and others, but always fair. I don’t stop until it’s done right, yet don’t suffocate the team with control. I try to give space, to develop people—not just to complete tasks. At the same time, I like to maintain a professional yet human atmosphere—where communication is direct, respect is reciprocal, and things are said clearly, without games or ambiguity.

They’d probably also say I’m someone who doesn’t seek the spotlight but seeks solutions. That I’m present, involved, and stand by the team—in good days and challenging ones.

C&B: What was the most important decision you made that changed your trajectory?
Sandu Mihăiță: The most important decision I made was to stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and to start on my own. It was the moment I decided to step out of my comfort zone, to take the risk of building something mine—with limited resources but clear direction. It wasn’t a romantic decision, but a deeply practical one: to no longer depend on external validation and to create my own space of action—whether managing a project, delivering training, or launching the media platform www.normedia.ro.

That choice forced me to learn quickly, to make daily decisions with real stakes, to manage people, partners, and risks, but also the trust of those who followed me. It taught me to be consistent, to build step by step, and not to abandon projects when they become difficult or unpopular.

That decision—seemingly simple but profound—completely changed my trajectory. It transformed me from someone who executed into someone who leads, from someone waiting for opportunities into someone creating them.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Sandu Mihăiță: My leadership style developed over time, through a mix of direct experience, careful observation, and many moments when I had to learn on the fly. It was a process in which the natural met necessity. I didn’t start with a manual in hand or with the intention of becoming a “leader.” I began by doing things well, by getting involved, by taking initiative when needed—and that naturally brought me into coordination roles.

I learned that it isn’t about knowing everything, but about choosing your team, listening, providing clear direction, and being there when it’s tough. That leadership isn’t about giving orders but holding people together, empowering without suffocating, and turning ideas into concrete actions.

My decision-making style evolved from pure instinct to a balance of logical analysis, practical experience, and intuition. Sometimes fast decisions were the best; other times delaying saved a project. I learned that it’s essential to know when to say “yes” and, even more, when to say “no.” That a leader isn’t the one who does everything, but the one who makes things possible.

In short, I built my style through practice, commitment, and observation—and I continue to refine it in every project, because real leadership is not a label, but a constant responsibility.

C&B: What do you believe distinguishes your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Sandu Mihăiță: I believe the difference isn’t in what I do, but in how I do it. I don’t aim just to tick off projects or meet targets on paper; I build something that truly works—over time, with real people, under real conditions. My approach is focused on applicability and concrete results, not formality.

In vocational training, for example, you don’t deliver value by reading from slides. You deliver value when you transform a passive participant into someone who leaves with confidence and a clear plan. In project coordination, it’s not enough to produce flawless reports—you need to manage people, resources, conflicts, and time with calm and efficiency. And in media, I’m not interested in “viralizing” articles, but in informing honestly, giving voice to local realities, and promoting real examples of involvement and success.

What sets me apart is consistency—in principles, pace, and long‑term building. I don’t get distracted by passing trends. I like to keep a clear direction, treat things seriously but without rigidity. Collaborators know I deliver what I promise. I emphasize quality over appearances.

And perhaps most importantly: I’ve never lost my connection to grassroots reality, to people, to concrete challenges. I’m always looking for solutions that actually work “on the field,” not just in theory. I believe this practical, authentic, and coherent approach is what distinguishes me in any domain I’ve operated in—whether in education, entrepreneurship, or communication.

C&B: What does an ordinary day look like for you now, and which moments of the day give you the greatest satisfaction?
Sandu Mihăiță: A typical day for me is rarely “ordinary” in the classic sense. Being involved in multiple activities—from coordinating educational projects and consulting to running a media platform and managing local businesses—my agenda is varied and dynamic. The day starts early (6:00–6:30), usually with checking emails and urgent priorities. I like to set a clear rhythm from the start, knowing exactly what needs solving and what can wait.

Depending on the day, I might attend work meetings, draft content for www.normedia.ro, work on materials for partners, write a project, or handle its implementation. Often unexpected situations arise—and that’s part of the charm of this kind of activity: knowing how to adapt quickly without losing direction.

The greatest satisfaction comes from two moments: sincere, positive feedback from someone I’ve helped—whether a trainee or partner—and moments of productive calm when I finish the day knowing I’ve done something that matters, even if not immediately visible. It’s a special satisfaction to know that I didn’t just work, but contributed something clear, real, and lasting.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Sandu Mihăiță: The values that guide me are integrity, respect for people, consistency, and usefulness. I don’t believe in success built on compromise or image without substance. Work has value only when done seriously and with a clear purpose: to bring something good, functional, honest.

I apply these principles in everything I do—from how I communicate with teams and collaborators to how I manage projects or deliver trainings. I strive to be the same person in any professional context: clear, balanced, engaged. I dislike superficiality and don’t believe in shortcuts. I’d rather do less, but well, than do a lot poorly.

Respect for people is perhaps the most important value. I apply it by truly listening, making transparent decisions, and owning up to mistakes when they happen. I believe real seriousness means doing things even when no one’s watching.

Every day, I try to build, not just execute. To grow—and help what’s around me grow. That means living in alignment with my values. Everything else—titles, projects, results—comes naturally when the foundation is solid.

C&B: How did the idea come to you to start this business and give it its name?
Sandu Mihăiță: The idea to start my own business came naturally, from a combination of needing professional freedom and wanting to do things differently, in my own way. After years working on educational projects, in administration and the private sector, I felt I could create more than just execute tasks in a rigid system. I wanted to build a space where I could combine what I know—education, communication, initiative—with what I believe: that properly, clearly, and usefully done things can make a real difference.

Thus was born the media platform www.normedia.ro—from the desire to offer national content that is balanced, informative, and clean—without unnecessary noise or sensationalism. The name stems from two concepts: “normal” and “media.” I wanted to convey that journalism, communication, and information can be done in a normal, balanced, professional way—without extremes, without partisanship, without hidden agendas. In an increasingly chaotic world, I wanted to create a platform that gives voice to reality, not just to spectacle.

Beyond being a media project, Normedia is also an extension of my values: clarity, respect, balance. And every article, interview, or partnership is built with the same care I treat any project I get involved with—be it educational, entrepreneurial, or civic.

C&B: If you were to pass on a message to people following your example, what would it be?
Sandu Mihăiță: I would tell them not to wait for someone else’s permission to start. To have the courage to test their ideas, learn from mistakes, and not confuse perfection with progress. Any solid thing is built over time, with patience, work, and sometimes uncomfortable decisions.

Not to lose their values along the way—not when it’s hard, nor when it gets easy. Not to chase quick validations and not to be afraid to start over if they feel they’ve strayed from who they truly are.

And most importantly: not to forget that behind every real result is a person who had the courage to keep going when no one else believed. If you hold your direction, time works in your favor.

The story of Sandu Mihăiță is not just about the journey of a versatile professional, but about the courage to build with purpose, beyond labels or external validation.