#22 - Jens Marczinski - Trusting Your Gut

From landing in startups accidentally to scaling companies and leading 120+ teams, to now pursuing an MBA at IMD, this is the story of Jens Marczinski.In this episode, John and Konsti sit down with Jens to explore his path from accidental entry into the startup world to becoming a leader who thrives in chaos. They discuss his philosophy on meaningful work, the lessons of managing fast-growing teams, why gut feeling is underrated, and how he is now channelling his energy into building digital health ventures.Key Takeaways and Highlights* Accidental Entrepreneur: Jens never planned a startup career; consulting was the goal. But one internship turned into seven years, multiple ventures, and eventually leading over 100 people: “All of a sudden I was Managing Director… and there’s no big training for it. You just grow with the chaos.”* Living a Life Your Kids Respect: Inspired by his parents and grandparents, Jens frames integrity simply: “Do work and take actions your children can be proud of.”* On Meaningful Work: Jens measures purpose by impact: “If I didn’t do this job, would society be poorer for it?” Even in cosmetic dentistry, handwritten letters from patients who smiled again gave him the conviction that impact comes in unexpected forms.* Sport as a Teacher: Triathlon legend Jan Frodeno inspires Jens: “You can’t fake performance in sport. Business you can b******t, sport you can’t. Jan’s determination to just do the schedule every single day, without knowing the outcome, that’s what endurance really is.”* Hiring and Character: Jens is clear about team culture: “A star who destroys the team is always out. Character and humility beat flashy CVs. Look at how people treat the receptionist—it tells you a lot.”* Lessons from IMD: Beyond frameworks, IMD gave Jens the value of explicit agreements: “Norming early matters. Write things down in smooth waters so you can survive the storm.” He also emphasises the role of honest feedback and learning from peers’ different approaches.What We Learned* Konsti: Entrepreneurship is chaos, but in chaos lies the adventure. The key is to find energy and joy in the constant change.* John: Jens reminded me that character is what you do when no one is watching.* Jens: Surround yourself with smart, driven people. Their energy and ideas are the best way to keep growing.Enjoy the show! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit careersandcharacter.substack.com