In this captivating episode of The Disruptive Leader, we sit down with Deyana P, Director of Digital, Growth, and Product at August and founder of A Mindful Escape.
With over 15 years of experience driving digital Transformation across luxury brands, Deyana shares her remarkable journey from pioneering Bitcoin payments in luxury hotels to creating mindful retreats in the Bulgarian mountains.
Through personal challenges and professional triumphs, she offers profound insights into the intersection of technology, humanity, and leadership in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
KEY TOPICS & CHAPTER MARKERS
- The Human Behind the Leader [01:45] Deyana opens up about her philosophy of being "human first" before any professional title, setting the tone for an authentic conversation about leadership and personal growth.
- Early Digital Innovation in Luxury [04:30] Breaking down the pioneering implementation of Bitcoin payments at Dorchester Collection in 2015, including the challenges of convincing boardrooms and winning an innovation award.
- Award-Winning Campaigns [15:20] Deep dive into "The World on a Plate" campaign, conceived during COVID-19, and how it perfectly balanced creativity and commercial success.
- Leading Global Teams [21:30] Discussion of managing distributed teams across three continents, addressing cultural differences, and maintaining team cohesion through inclusive leadership practices.
- Personal Transformation [31:45] A touching segment about how personal loss and her grandmother's Alzheimer's diagnosis led to creating A Mindful Escape and a renewed focus on giving back.
- The Bulgarian Mountain Retreat [39:15] explores A Mindful Escape's luxury mountain retreat concept, which combines natural serenity with comfortable amenities.
- Technology and Human Connection [43:20] Insightful Discussion about the balance between technological advancement and maintaining human connection in the workplace.
- Performance and People [52:40] Analysis of achieving significant business metrics while maintaining a human-centric leadership approach.
- The Future of Business [1:01:30] Predictions about AI's role in business disruption and maintaining human elements in Digital Transformation.
RESOURCES & LINKS
CALL TO ACTION: Connect with Deyana on LinkedIn or website to learn more about A Mindful Escape's retreats and corporate wellbeing workshops.
Want to be a guest on The Disruptive Leader? Contact us atwww.thedisruptiveleader.com
