Stéphane Priolet, CTO at ManoMano, spoke to Geoffrey this week. Here are a few more questions we asked him.

Can you share with us a piece of advice that you were given and that proved to be useful?

You don’t succeed alone in the long-term.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

Nelson Mandela said « None of us, acting alone, can achieve success » in his inaugural speech in Pretoria on 10 May 1994. Whether rebuilding a society or starting a business, the strength of the collective is the greatest asset of any group that wishes to implement a project.

Is there an app in your phone that you recommend everyone to have?

There’s Medium that I recommend having, but there’s also Google Maps.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

Medium is an open platform where you can find thousands of articles, thoughts and views shared by expert and unknown voices on anything from personal development to analysis of the latest tech news.

As for Google Maps, the famous geolocation application needs no introduction! A must-have, because in order to know where to go, you must first know where you are.

Is there anything you can tell us about yourself that people would be surprised to know?

Yes, that I like people, I like diversity.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

No wonder! ManoMano has 24 nationalities and is located in France and Spain. Their mission? To always keep the human dimension in its right place and to empower its employees to create their own world in a responsible way.

Is there a habit you are trying to get into or stop at the moment?

So I don’t smoke… I try to stop procrastinating sometimes.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

Ah, procrastination… Contrary to what you might think, it’s not just a bad habit: it’s also synonymous with creativity, efficiency and well-being. Why is this? Procrastinators are the best at finding shortcuts to getting their work done on time. Procrastination also helps to delay anxiety and stress by giving us more time to ourselves.

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone who wishes they had your background, what would it be?

Get out of your comfort zone.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

American artist Michael John Bobak said « All progress happens outside the comfort zone. » Do you want to be a leader? Whatever your field, you will be required to step outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid and get out of your mental barriers: anything is possible if you believe!

You mentioned a few books earlier. If we had to remember only one that made an impression on you, which one would it be?

I liked No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

Hard work is irrelevant. Be radically honest. And never, ever try to please your boss: this book was named Business Book of the Year 2020 by the Financial Times and a New York Times bestseller.

I also personally enjoyed a biography of Steve Jobs written by Walter Isaacson. It’s interesting to see a bit of his background and personality.

ℹ️ Leader’s info

American entrepreneur Steve Jobs is one of the major innovators of the computer industry. A visionary genius and uncompromising leader, he made his fortune by creating the Apple company. His biography has inspired many of the great entrepreneurs of our time.