People @ Proxiad – Dimitar Kisyov
In the latest edition of People@Proxiad, we are featuring Dimitar Kisyov, an accomplished Java Team Lead who has been with Proxiad for an impressive 16 years. Read through the interview to learn more about his professional path, hobbies, and how basketball helped him build patience as a crucial skill.
To start off, could you share how your passion for technology initially sparked?
My passion was born while I was in university. Back then, everything related to technology was new and very intriguing. It was a frequent topic of conversation among my colleagues, and with time, this enthusiasm evolved into a desire to be involved.
Could you tell us more about your responsibilities as a Technical Team Leader, share what aspects of this role you enjoy the most, and also highlight the key points that help you to be an effective leader for your team?
My role involves serving as the Tech Lead for a very special team which includes junior developers. These developers concentrate on executing small yet vital tasks for our clients. As a tech lead, my primary responsibility is to teach them strong software development principles. To put it another way, my goal is to allow them to make minor errors that facilitate learning while also preventing them from making substantial mistakes that could significantly effect the company’s business.
This naturally involves engaging in numerous conversations with my teammates, which I find to be the most intriguing aspect of my job. This way I am as well able to observe their progress. They have come to understand the significance of adhering to our internal process, improved their technical skills, and most importantly – they have earned much more confidence in their work. In the light of this, I could say that the key to excelling in what I do is patience- to listen to my teammates, to illustrate areas they can improve and most importantly to give them all the time they need to do it.
You have been part of Proxiad for the last 16 years. What factors have played a role in your dedication to the company?
As a service-oriented organization, Proxiad SEE provides multiple opportunities across various projects. A big US payment company is my fourth project within Proxiad, and each time I start working on a new project, it feels like a whole new role. I also love the unique spirit that we embrace. You know what I am talking about, right? The people here are more than just colleagues who work together, they constitute a real community with a shared mindset. This is what I find most gratifying about the company.
What motivates you in your day-to-day life?
The natural desire of people to improve themselves, both as individuals and professionals, is what inspires me in my day-to-day activities. I have always been eager to learn new things and improve my skills. Throughout my life, I have been driven mainly by this inner urge.
Tell us more about your hobbies and how do you recharge after a long day of duties?
My hobbies are simple. I enjoy watching movies and reading books. I have a specific interest in history, and because of this, I watch and read a lot of documentaries. My favorite things are long walks in the park near my house or hanging out with friends. Also, I like many sports, but I mostly watch them on TV due to some past injuries that make it difficult for me to practice.
We have heard you played basketball in your student years. What did it teach you, and how do you apply those lessons in your job?
I have gained plenty of valuable things from basketball. Some of these include being a good team player and how important it is always to do the right thing at the proper time. But patience was the most important lesson I learned — patience to improve my abilities every day and during every training session.
