Alexandra Titova Interview

Alexandra Titova is the founder of Astellare, a consultancy firm specializing in building high-performing management teams and fostering organizational excellence. With a diverse background in economics, psychology, and HR management, Alexandra combines her extensive corporate experience with a passion for leadership development to empower businesses across various industries. Her innovative “sculptural approach” to team building focuses on refining organizational structures and leadership dynamics, ensuring sustainable growth and success for her clients.

Delving into Your Journey

We started the interview by asking, “Explain Your Background and Your Company in Detail.”

Alexandra Titova replied, “I have a diverse professional background rooted in a mix of economics, psychology, and human resources management. These disciplines have shaped my approach to leadership and organizational development, enabling me to address the multifaceted challenges businesses face today. My career began in a huge corporation (more than 150 000 employees on the board) in oil gas industry in management roles, where I developed a deep understanding of team dynamics, leadership development, and organizational structures. Over the years, I gained extensive experience working with companies across various industries, including IT, logistics, production, construction. This exposure provided me with valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities each sector presents.

After 15 years of corporate career my passion for creating impactful change led me to found Astellare, a specialized consultancy firm dedicated to building high-performing management teams and fostering organizational excellence. I decided to open my own business, combining all my knowledge and experience in human resources sphere. I wanted to share my knowledge of team management with owners of businesses and be a valuable contribution to the development of my clients’ businesses through competent employee management. At Astellare, we take a proprietary “sculptural approach” to team and leadership development.

In 2020-2021 I lived in Italy doing my second master’s degree and was inspired by great Italian art, especially the art of sculpting, this methodology involves removing inefficiencies and enhancing core strengths to reveal the true potential of an organization. We focus on aligning leadership teams with the company’s vision, enhancing individual and group capabilities, and implementing sustainable strategies for growth.

Our services include recruiting (executive search, headhunting), leadership diagnostics, executive coaching, team development, and structural refinement. We work closely with our clients to design bespoke solutions that align with their unique needs and long-term objectives.

Whether it’s team building through hiring new employees, targeted selection of the right specialist, guiding startups through rapid scaling, helping established companies optimize their leadership teams, or driving cultural change in organizations, Astellare prides itself on delivering measurable results.

Our mission is not just to solve immediate challenges but to empower businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape by hiring the right people and equipping leadership teams with the skills, tools, and mindset needed for sustained success.”

Unveiling the Sculptural Approach

The Worlds Times: Can you elaborate on your proprietary “sculptural approach” to building management teams? How does this methodology transform businesses?

Alexandra Titova replied, “The “sculptural approach” draws inspiration from the process of sculpting, where a master artist removes unnecessary elements to reveal the masterpiece hidden within. In the context of business, this means meticulously evaluating and refining organizational structures and leadership teams. It begins with a comprehensive diagnostic of the company’s current state, followed by targeted assessments of top managers and teams. We analyze their strengths, areas of improvement, and alignment with business goals.

This methodology is transformative because it provides a step-by-step, strategic development plan tailored to the organization. It doesn’t just address surface-level issues but gets to the core of inefficiencies, whether they’re rooted in leadership dynamics, operational processes, or team cohesion. By implementing these refined structures and cultivating high-performing leadership, businesses experience measurable improvements in productivity, profitability, and team morale.

In recruiting, this means finding the most valuable talent for each client, taking into account their short-term and long-term goals.”

The Journey Behind Astellare

The Worlds Times: What inspired you to transition from senior management roles to founding Astellare? How has this shift impacted your professional journey?

Alexandra Titova replied, “My experience in senior management roles gave me a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, team challenges, and the importance of strong leadership. I realized that many businesses struggle not because of a lack of resources but due to inefficiencies in management and team structures. I wanted to address these challenges at their root, which inspired me to create Astellare—a company dedicated to empowering businesses with the leadership and structures they need to thrive. Founding Astellare has been transformative for my career. It allowed me to channel my expertise into creating a proprietary methodology and working with diverse industries on a global scale. This shift has also deepened my understanding of entrepreneurship and given me the privilege of witnessing firsthand how effective leadership can unlock an organization’s potential. I also have a talent for finding the right people for each individual business. I like to do it quickly and efficiently because I understand that time is one of the most valuable resources in business.”

Leadership Shaped by Diverse Expertise

The Worlds Times: Your background spans economics, psychology, and HR management. How do these disciplines shape your leadership approach and the solutions you offer clients?

Alexandra Titova replied, “Each of these disciplines plays a crucial role in shaping my leadership philosophy and the services we provide at Astellare. My background in economics helps me understand the financial and strategic implications of business decisions, ensuring that our solutions are not only effective but also economically sustainable. Psychology provides insights into human behavior, team dynamics, and motivation, which are vital for leadership development and conflict resolution. HR management ties everything together by focusing on talent acquisition, development, and organizational design.

By integrating these disciplines, we offer holistic solutions that address the technical, emotional, and strategic aspects of leadership. For example, when diagnosing team inefficiencies, we don’t just look at performance metrics; we also consider interpersonal dynamics, workplace ergonomics, and motivational factors.”

From Misalignment to Mastery

The Worlds Times: What challenges do companies typically face when it comes to leadership team development, and how does Astellare address these issues?

Alexandra Titova replied, “The challenges often fall into three main categories: misalignment of goals, gaps in leadership competencies, and organizational inefficiencies. Misalignment can occur when team members are not clear on the company’s strategic vision or their roles within it. Competency gaps may arise from insufficient leadership training or outdated skillsets. Organizational inefficiencies could be due to unclear processes, poor communication, or outdated structures. At Astellare, we address these challenges through our comprehensive diagnostic and development process. We begin by assessing the current state of the leadership team and identifying root causes of issues. Then, we create tailored development plans for each leader, focusing on skills enhancement, strategic alignment, and team cohesion. We also implement structural changes and provide ongoing support to ensure sustainable transformation.”

Customizing Solutions

The Worlds Times: How does Astellare ensure that its solutions are tailored to the unique needs of each client?

Alexandra Titova replied, “Customization is at the heart of everything we do at Astellare. Our process starts with a thorough diagnostic of the client’s organization, which includes evaluating the leadership team, assessing employee satisfaction, and analyzing organizational dynamics. This data provides a clear picture of the company’s strengths and areas that need improvement. We then collaborate closely with the client to define their goals and priorities. Whether it’s scaling up operations, improving team performance, or implementing structural changes, we design a bespoke strategy that aligns with their vision. Additionally, our proprietary methodology allows us to provide precise recommendations and actionable steps, ensuring that the solutions are both relevant and effective.”

Industry-Specific Insights

The Worlds Times: You have worked with companies across various industries, including IT, construction, manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals. What are some industry-specific insights you’ve gained from this diverse experience?

Alexandra Titova replied, “Each industry has its unique dynamics, but there are universal principles that apply to leadership and team development. For instance, IT companies often face challenges with rapid scaling and managing highly specialized teams, while construction firms may deal with hierarchical structures and project-based workflows. In the design industry, creativity and collaboration are paramount, but they need to be balanced with operational efficiency.

My experience has taught me that understanding the specific challenges and culture of each industry is crucial. At Astellare, we adapt our strategies to the nuances of the industry, whether it’s fostering innovation in tech, streamlining processes in construction, or enhancing collaboration in design. This adaptability ensures that our clients achieve optimal results. International logistics requires targeted recruitment of highly specialized and highly qualified experts with extensive experience in different jurisdictions, which entails hunting around the world from Cyprus to Ethiopia.”

Tailored Recruiting Strategies for Success

The Worlds Times: Given the dynamic nature of the UAE’s job market, what specific challenges do you face in recruiting and headhunting for positions in this region, and how do you tailor your strategies to address the unique needs of local businesses and candidates?

Alexandra Titova replied, “The dynamic and competitive nature of the UAE’s job market presents a range of challenges in recruiting and headhunting. Given the region’s rapid growth and international appeal, it’s crucial to adapt to the diverse needs of local businesses and candidates. One of the primary challenges is navigating the diverse talent pool, where candidates often come from varied cultural and professional backgrounds. To address this, Astellare Group uses a sculptural approach, meticulously crafting the ideal management team by selecting candidates who align with the company’s norms, standards, and goals. This approach involves in-depth diagnostics, such as assessing cognitive abilities, stress resistance, and leadership potential, which are especially important in high-stakes industries prevalent in the UAE.

Additionally, businesses in the UAE expect top talent to have not only the right technical skills but also cultural and emotional intelligence to succeed in fast-paced, multicultural environments. By using a comprehensive selection process that evaluates both intellectual and emotional capacities, Astellare ensures a tailored fit for each organization. The group’s HR strategy, which integrates performance analysis and executive search, is custom-designed to meet the specific needs of each client, offering a refined solution that supports both the company’s growth objectives and the candidate’s professional journey.”

Meeting Expectations

The Worlds Times: What do candidates and entrepreneurs in the UAE typically expect from the recruiting and headhunting process, and how do you ensure a seamless and mutually beneficial experience for both parties?

Alexandra Titova replied, “Both candidates and entrepreneurs in the UAE expect a seamless, transparent, and strategic approach to the recruiting and headhunting process. Candidates often seek clear communication about the roles they are being considered for, as well as the opportunity for personal growth and alignment with a company’s culture. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, demand that recruitment processes are both swift and effective, providing them with candidates who possess the right blend of skills, experience, and cultural fit.

At Astellare, we ensure a mutually beneficial experience by focusing on building relationships based on trust, thorough diagnostics, and personalized coaching. For candidates, this means detailed feedback and ongoing career development support. For entrepreneurs, it means a tailored executive search process, which provides not only a selection of top managers but also a strategic plan for team development and organizational transformation. This ensures that both candidates and companies benefit from a seamless and efficient recruitment process, driving long-term success and organizational growth.”

Balancing Passion & Profession

Lastly we asked, “Beyond your professional achievements, you’re passionate about art history, horseback riding, wakesurfing, and traveling. How do these interests influence your work and leadership style?”

My personal interests provide balance and inspiration, which are essential for creative problem-solving and effective leadership. For example, art history has taught me the value of perspective and interpretation, which I apply when analyzing complex organizational challenges. Horseback riding and wakesurfing have instilled discipline, resilience, and adaptability – qualities that are vital in both personal and professional settings. Wakesurfing also taught me to relax to get the best results. Traveling exposes me to diverse cultures and ways of thinking, broadening my perspective and enhancing my ability to connect with clients from different backgrounds. These passions also remind me of the importance of well-being and work-life balance, values I emphasize when working with leadership teams. I often find inspiration for my work while traveling.

For example, traveling to Mexico and studying the culture of the Indians of North and South America, I learned that the Indian tribes have their own ancient method of assessing each member of the tribe. So-called own “human design”. It includes such typology as the tribal leader, healer, warrior, hunter, mother of the tribe and others. This is a very interesting typology, in which the tribal leader does not play the main role, and everyone does only what corresponds to their innate talents. We have something to learn from ancient cultures.” Alexandra Titova Concluded

Connect with Alexandra Titova on LinkedIn

Visit Astellare to learn more about it

Also Read:

Mohammad Ali Kalloo Khan Interview on HR Excellence
Marianela Santos, Driving Sustainable Innovation
Reshaping Brand Identity with Rodolfo Belcastro