Meet the Team: Leondine Gatt
October 03, 2024
Meet the Team
October 03, 2024
Meet the Team
Say hello to Leondine, a well-known face for everyone at Cleverbit!
Our hard-working Administration Executive is a helpful and friendly constant presence at our Malta offices, where she prefers to work, despite the possibility of a hybrid work environment. However, she still values Cleverbit’s commitment to a healthy work-life balance, by working from home if she needs to be close by that day, without needing to take a day off for it. It’s this flexibility, honest communication, and lack of micromanagement, she believes, that helps and motivates her to give more than 100% to the team.
Her job isn’t limited to our head office, however. Her work means she also gets to interact with our remote, international team members every single day, which is something she loves.
Recently, she has also completed an HR course where she obtained 2 A’s and 1 B as her assessment mark, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Get to know a bit of Leondine’s journey and why, on her off time, she has a need for speed 🏎️
I joined the company in October 2022, exactly 2 years ago. However, it was such a perfect fit that I feel like I’ve been working here for much longer.
I am the Administration Executive. My responsibilities vary quite a bit, from accounts reconciliation, seeing to the day-to-day office needs, and assisting employees with their administrative requirements. I’m also in charge of payroll.
I think the most essential skills are good organisation, to manage tasks efficiently, time management, to prioritise and meet deadlines, and attention to detail, to ensure accuracy in my work. I also need to be a multitasker, as in my day-to-day routine I handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Finally, communication is a very good quality to have, as clear verbal and written communication are a must!
I just sent a CV because I was looking for a new job so I could have landed anywhere. But before I knew it, I was called in for a second interview and was told I was accepted and that I would start within 10 days!!
My role as an Administration Executive has evolved significantly over time, both in terms of responsibilities and in terms of the skills I’ve developed. When I first started, my focus was on managing day-to-day administrative tasks, such as handling correspondence and managing office supplies. Over time, I gained a deeper understanding of the organisation’s processes and began taking on more complex responsibilities. This evolution has allowed me to contribute to the organisation in a more strategic way, going beyond basic administrative support to now playing a key role in ensuring operational efficiency and supporting the overall business objectives.
My typical day always starts with a cup of coffee, that’s a must!!! I wake up early, as I’m quite an early riser, have my first espresso of the day, and get ready for work. After my day’s work, if it’s summer, I go for a swim every day. I’m a summer person, so I make the most of my summer days. In winter, I either take a walk or go for a gym session after work. Then I start my daily housework routine - cooking, washing clothes etc. I usually end my day chilling on the sofa watching TV, sometimes even with a good glass of wine.
I think that staying organised and managing tasks effectively are both essential for productivity and reducing stress. I always have a to-do list, and this helps me a lot. If a task takes less than two minutes, normally I do it immediately to get it off my mind - I hate having small tasks pile up. I also declutter regularly, keeping only the essentials on my desk. Celebrating progress also helps me maintain motivation – I acknowledge when I complete an important task, and usually the reward is a good coffee, sometimes paired with a goodie.
I love the office culture at Cleverbit which is very friendly and relaxed. It’s not your typical office culture, as we’re very informal, constantly joking and everyone is friendly.
I can’t not mention the symposium of 2023. I had been working with Cleverbit for only 4 months when I was asked to take care of all the organisation of this symposium, which included getting our remote workers to Malta, providing accommodation for them and getting all the team together for a whole week. Seeing their smiling faces during our team building activities, watching them having fun and their appreciation meant a real lot.
Continuous growth keeps me engaged. Knowing that my work can have a positive impact on the people I interact with, either by helping them to solve a problem or by improving their day, keeps me motivated.
This year’s symposium is proving to be quite a challenge. We decided to take a completely different approach from last year, so it involves a lot more effort and logistics. Everything needs to be perfect, down to the smallest detail. So that will remain a challenge until it’s over! But I’ve learned a lot from last years’ experience, including certain tips and tricks that will help run everything smoothly, even though it’s a bigger event.
How do they contribute to your overall well-being? I love travelling. When I’m away I stay away from social media and away from my mobile as much as possible. I love to reflect and appreciate the places I visit and the people I’m travelling with.
My favourite movie is, and will always be, “Dirty Dancing”. I watched it countless times and every time I watch it, I still feel as if I’m watching it for the first time. I love music and dancing, so this has it all! I’m not a book worm, I don’t like reading. I can count the books I read on 10 fingers. But I loved reading “The Sword & The Scimitar” by David Ball. The reason was that while reading it I could picture the story very clearly since most of the locations mentioned were in the Cottonera, where I grew up.
A very recent professional achievement was that I took the plunge to return to a lecture room 30 years after I left school, and succeeded with flying colours. On a personal note, the greatest achievement will always be raising my daughter on my own and seeing her graduating and succeeding in her career.
I’ve observed several mentorship and leadership opportunities within the organisation. One formal initiative is our leadership development program, which pairs employees with experienced leaders to build key skills like communication and decision-making. Informally, senior employees often mentor newer team members, offering guidance on navigating their roles and career growth. On a personal note, I feel empowered a lot by the COO of the company, who motivates me daily and believed in me from the very beginning of my employment with Cleverbit. I owe him a lot.
I really loved the summer Olympics team building activity which was held last year. Another enjoyable activity was when we went to a shooting range. It was my first time experiencing the thrill of handling a pistol and it was amazing!! I must add I did well very well, so beware
My age maybe?? Jokes apart… perhaps they’d be surprised to learn that I’m actually a football fanatic and A.C. Milan fan! Also that I love jet-skis, especially the thrill and adrenaline rush you get from driving them. Don’t own one yet but maybe someday, you’ll never know. I would also love to one day drive a Formula 1 car!
In the coming years I see myself still working at Cleverbit, hopefully progressing into a more leadership role within the administration. I’d like to be part of processes that enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation in administrative practices. My plans to get there are simple, staying committed to professional growth, being ambitious and having a clear plan.
One powerful life lesson I always share is “Never Give up”. No matter how challenging or overwhelming a situation may seem, perseverance often leads to unexpected breakthroughs. Every setback in my life has given me an opportunity to learn, grow and build resilience. I always keep pushing forward, even in the face of failure. The key is to remain determined and trust that persistence will pay off, no matter how long it takes!
Not to wait any longer and take the leap. I’d also say this: Cleverbit is a place where you’ll feel supported and valued from day one. Cleverbit is an excellent choice, taking the leap is worth it!!
Headquartered in Europe, Cleverbit Software is a prominent custom software development company, employing over 70 skilled professionals across the EU, UK and US. Specialising in custom software for business efficiency, we work with a diverse international clientele in various industries including banking and insurance, SaaS, and healthcare. Our commitment to solving problems and delivering solutions that work makes us a trusted partner with our clients.
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