Building Trust and Innovation: The Pillars of StackAdapt’s Leadership Culture

Leadership isn’t just about directing. It’s about uniting.

At StackAdapt, our principles are more than just guidelines. They’re a roadmap for anyone aspiring to lead. They’re woven through our culture, reflecting our identity as an organization.

We’re grounded in the belief that leadership skills intertwine closely with our core values, inspiring leadership at all levels and ensuring our values are lived daily. Together, as a leadership team, we cultivate a culture where everyone thrives.

In this article, StackAdapt leaders Vitaly Pecherskiy, Tishan Mills, Pinar Ozyetis, Anna Grodecka-Grad, and Andrew Norrie discuss how our principles guide their leadership journeys. From adopting a “no failure” mindset to fostering empathy and transparency, they share the real-world impact of these tenets.

How has the principle of not accepting failure influenced your approach to setting and achieving ambitious goals?

Vitaly Pecherskiy | CEO and Co-founder: “Businesses, especially larger ones, possess tremendous inertia—things just don’t happen by chance. The ‘no failure’ mindset is about setting ambitious goals, showing up every day, and continuously exerting effort to turn the vision into reality.”

How do you practice empathy in your day-to-day leadership, especially in challenging situations?

Tishan Mills | SVP, Platform: “When a team member faced a personal tragedy, the team came together to support them by sharing the increased workload. This collective effort exemplifies empathy in action—supporting each other without knowing all the details but understanding the importance of unity and support.”

Talk about a time when owning up to a mistake led to a valuable learning experience for your team.

Pinar Ozyetis | General Counsel: “Admitting mistakes is crucial for building trust and a positive work environment. We encourage transparency and solutions, fostering a culture where everyone feels safe to admit and learn from mistakes.”

What methods have you found most effective in clarifying our mission and motivating your team?

Anna Grodecka-Grad | SVP, Global Client Services: “Transparency, sharing successes and failures, and clear communication about our mission and goals keep the team aligned and motivated. Celebrating contributions across the board fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.”

What actions do you take to actively promote and uphold our company culture and values within your team?

Andrew Norrie | Sales Director, Northeast: “Leading by example. I aim to consistently demonstrate our core values in my daily interactions, whether it’s through transparent communication, showing appreciation for hard work, or supporting team members in their personal and professional growth, and even their day-to-day responsibilities. I’ve been in their shoes, and I know firsthand how important this level of holistic support is. This sets a tone of integrity and commitment that inspires others to follow suit.”

Share an instance where direct and honest communication resolved a potential conflict or misunderstanding.

Vitaly Pecherskiy | CEO and Co-founder: “Executing on a business vision involves making countless decisions. We always strive to put the company first, ensuring decisions are in the best interest of the organization. Direct communication is key to avoiding trust issues and politics, fostering a culture where everyone is encouraged to talk openly and build trust.”

Share an example of a decision you made that prioritized the company’s well-being over individual interests.

Tishan Mills | SVP, Platform: “Hiring for a leadership role, I endorsed a structure that would benefit the company, even if it reduced my direct influence. This approach didn’t pan out, but it underscored the importance of prioritizing organizational well-being over personal ambitions.”

How do you lead by example in maintaining professionalism and respect in all interactions, even under pressure?

Pinar Ozyetis | General Counsel: “Professionalism and respect are non-negotiable, especially under pressure. Preparing for diverse reactions helps maintain composure and respect during heated discussions, leading to better outcomes and setting a standard for the team.”

How do you demonstrate the importance of hands-on leadership in achieving project success?

Anna Grodecka-Grad | SVP, Global Client Services: “By leading critical projects personally, I demonstrate ‘doer-leadership,’ accelerating progress and sharing best practices. This hands-on approach not only drives key projects forward but also instills a culture of active participation and learning.”

Share a story where championing our culture led to enhanced team cohesion or performance.

Andrew Norrie | Sales Director, Northeast: “One particular instance that stands out is when I and several teammates recently completed 75 Hard, which is a mental and physical discipline challenge that helps one grow not only individually but also at work. These activities help build stronger relationships among team members and foster a sense of belonging and unity. The organization of this event was simple, but it built trust and showed StackAdapters that their leaders care about growth across the board.”

To learn more about StackAdapt’s values, visit our careers page.