Coffee break with Alicja Zielinska

Community, creativity, and connection: Alicja’s story at Solaris

Interview: Ceren Gökhan

Interviewee: Alicja Zielinska

This edition of Coffee break features Alicja Zielinska, our Workplace Experience Lead. Alicja ensures the physical and social engines of our office run without interruption. She shares her perspective on the human side of office management, the art of solving problems before they happen, and the creative life she leads outside of Solaris.

What initially sparked your interest in Workplace Experience, and how did your journey ultimately lead you to this role at Solaris?

Alicja: It was not my first plan to work in Workplace Experience. My path grew from simple, everyday moments. I stepped into my first role as an assistant and people naturally came to me whenever something felt off or needed attention. I walked through the office with a sense of curiosity, looked at what was broken, and found a way to sort it out.

I paid attention to how people reacted, how their mood shifted once a problem disappeared, and I realized how easily I formed connections. That feeling stayed with me and kept pulling me toward the work I do now.

As I moved from role to role, my responsibilities expanded, and I brought that problem-solving mindset with me. I have spent seven years in workplace roles now, including time at a fintech company and a micro-mobility firm. I simply built on that foundation year after year, and now I lead the team that defines the workplace experience here.

Can you recall the first moment when you felt you were genuinely shaping or elevating the employee experience?

Alicja: I cannot point to one defining moment. My work reveals itself in hundreds of small scenes. I speak with someone at the coffee machine, and I sense when their day is heavy. I listen to their tone and help them solve something that bothers them. I stay patient when they arrive frustrated, and little by little, I watch their shoulders drop.

My previous manager once told me I was a personality hire. I knew exactly what she meant. Workplace experience depends entirely on how you treat the people around you. The way I talk, the way I move, the way I handle stressful moments, all of it shapes the experience people have when they walk up to me.

Employee experience grows through presence, warmth, and steady attention. I see the impact in the way people return to me because they trust that I will help them figure things out.

What’s the most frequent challenge your team encounters, and how do you typically navigate or solve it?

Alicja: Workplace Experience team faces a constant stream of ad-hoc requests. Some things need fast action, and I jump in without delay. Other things can wait, and I guide colleagues to the right ticket so the task finds a proper place in our workflow.

We are a small team supporting more than four hundred people. Many colleagues believe their issue needs immediate attention, and I understand that feeling. Sometimes I give people a moment to try solving issues themselves if it's nothing critical. Most of the time they do.

Behind the visible changes sits a long chain of steps. Rearranging a corner, adding equipment, or refreshing a room always looks simple from the outside. In reality, I sort through approvals, deliveries, planning, and alignment. But also influence comes from listening to a colleague's problem and making them feel heard, rather than just ticking a box on a to-do list.

What’s one seemingly small detail in our office environment that you believe has a surprisingly big impact on how people feel at work?

Alicja: The sweets in our Workplace Experience area look small, but I see how much joy they bring. People walk by, reach for something, and smile. They start a short conversation, sharing a comment or an idea.

These moments open the door for connection. They make the office feel lighter and remind people that someone pays attention to their comfort. I like watching the quick shift in their mood when they stop by.

Most of the changes we roll out at Solaris come directly from what people share. I never assume that I know better. I want the workplace to reflect the people who fill it every day. I pay attention to the tone of their voice, the way they use the space, and the kind of atmosphere that makes them feel at ease.

If you could design your ideal workspace from scratch, what would it include and why?

Alicja: If I could create a new office from the ground up, I would focus on community. I imagine bright corners on every floor where people gather without planning it. I picture tables where lunch feels natural, not forced. Kitchens always bring people together, and I would create spaces that carry that same easy feeling as that is where the culture truly lives.