Anna Szymanek: The human side of innovation – People as the engine of real change

Instead of having management control everything, they let people experiment and make mistakes – that’s how the best innovations are born. Anna emphasized that when employees clearly understand why their work matters and enjoy what they do, they can solve even complex problems and crises on their own.

Who is the presenter?

Anna Szymanek

Anna Szymanek is the CEO of Decathlon Czech Republic and a lifelong sports enthusiast. She lives in Prague and channels her passion for sports and continuous development into building a people-focused culture where autonomy, trust, and a sense of fun deliver real results.

She believes that true #HappinessAtWork happens when everyone has the space to be themselves, keep learning, and create team success together. In her free time, she stays active and looks for new ways to connect people through movement and shared goals.