"I hope everyone finds a little magic in my classes."

In your PhD thesis, you wrote about the relationship between trust and success in organisations. How did you become interested in this field?

I have always been interested in management and have gradually learned more about it during my studies. During my bachelor's degree, I researched the world of job advertising, and in my master's degree, I studied recruitment and selection processes. My PhD topic and my professional development (at undergraduate and master's level) were both greatly influenced by my supervisor, Prof. Dr. habil Andrea Bencsik. I am very grateful to her for supporting me and guiding me in this exciting field of research.

The relationship between trust and success in a company is a very interesting and multifaceted area that is much more complex than one would assume. I was surprised to discover that trust, which seems like an emotion, has real-life consequences for a company. Interestingly, something so personal can truly affect how well an organisation performs. Most people think of success in an organisation in terms of money, market share or growth, even though these are all driven by human factors. Trust is important, and when employees trust their leaders, each other and the organisation, it enhances their satisfaction and commitment, and also makes the organisation more efficient, innovative, and resilient.

What was the most exciting discovery you made in your research?

One of the most exciting things I found out was that while things like environmental sustainability, fair play and technological reliability had a stronger effect on satisfaction, trust in leaders primarily influenced employee commitment. I was surprised by this, because I had originally thought that personal trust would increase satisfaction and that impersonal trust would play a bigger role in developing commitment. The results suggest that people's satisfaction is mostly related to predictability and structural security, while commitment is more strongly related to interpersonal relationships and emotional attachment.

Why was pursuing a PhD important to you?

For me, there were several reasons why getting a doctorate was important. It allowed me to dive into a topic I think is important, study it with a scientific approach, and contribute new and relevant knowledge to professional discourse. I also think it's really important to try new things that are a bit scary, because that helps both personal and professional growth. For me, this meant moving to a new country and city (I was studying in Hungary, being originally from Upland, Slovakia). Being away from home made me more independent and adaptable which has been important for my job and my studies.

You joined the GTK faculty in the 2024/2025 academic year. How do you like your work so far? What classes do you teach?

When someone asks me what the ELTE GTK is like, I say it's magical. It's like when I first saw the first Harry Potter movie many years ago: I was amazed. It's been a few years since then, but ELTE is just as captivating as the magical world was back then. So far, I have been teaching management, and next semester I will be teaching human resource management courses. I hope that everyone who attends my classes will enjoy them. Even if I don't have magic wands to hand out, I'll try to compensate my students with the power of knowledge and, of course, a few extra points.

What do you like to do when you're not teaching? How do you spend your free time?

When I'm not teaching, I'm usually thinking about how to make my next classes more interesting. My mind is always active. I spend a lot of my free time with my most enthusiastic and loyal "audience" – my dog. He always makes sure I get enough exercise (and that playing with a ball is a serious game of strategy). I also always find time to read, whether it's for fun or to help with my work. I am always trying to manage my time so that I can have a balance between my personal life and exciting new challenges at work. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I realise that there are only 24 hours in a day, when I wish there were at least 30.

Finally, what would you say to ELTE GTK students who are thinking about doing a PhD?

First of all, congratulations, that's half the battle! The next step is to know that a PhD is an adventure where your curiosity will be your best friend, your perseverance your greatest weapon, and sometimes a cup (or three) of strong coffee your only lifeline. I have always been interested in management, and as I have gradually become involved in it, I discovered that my research proved things I originally imagined completely differently. Be prepared for your doctorate to ask you questions and challenge the answers you give. I promise you will feel out of your comfort zone, but that's what makes it so exciting. So, if you have a research question you can't let go of, if you like a challenge, and if you are not afraid to feel like a detective in the middle of a mystery, then jump in! It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. 

Photo: Bence Végh