Series about the People of FSS
After the Christmas holiday break, we’re proud to bring you a refreshed section featuring colleagues from various departments of the faculty. In each edition, we’ll ask one person the same seven questions. This time, we spoke with Lenka Kuchyňková, a new addition to the Communication Office, who is responsible for organizing faculty events and managing the department’s administration.
“The biggest challenging aspect of my work is ensuring that the people I communicate with clearly understand the task at hand, meet their deadlines, and deliver the results in the required format. Sometimes it requires patience and finding the best way to convey information, while other times, it’s about persistence and sending reminders. Every day feels like an exercise in effective communication.”
Lenka Kuchyňková, event manager
What does your ideal morning look like?
An ideal morning for me starts slowly and peacefully—waking up next to the person I love, enjoying a good cup of coffee, taking a moment for myself, and ideally going for a short walk to wake up my mind. I also like to plan out my day, so I have a clear idea of what lies ahead.
What book have you read recently, and would you recommend it?
I’ve read quite a lot lately, ranging from sci-fi/fantasy to self-help books. One of my favorites is Život podle Julie (Juliet's School of Possibilities: A Little Story about the Power of Priorities), where the author emphasizes that even when it feels impossible to stop and reflect on our options, taking a moment to pause is often the best thing we can do for ourselves. I’d definitely recommend it. From English-language books, I’d suggest Do It Today, Talk Like TED, and Rich Dad Poor Dad.
What part of your workday do you look forward to the most?
I love the moments when I feel my work has meaning—whether it’s successfully organizing an event or finding a solution to a complex problem. I also value informal moments with my colleagues when we can share experiences or take a break to talk about something unrelated to work. And, of course, coffee is an essential part of my day. Whether I have it during a meeting or anytime throughout the day, it’s one of those small yet important rituals that make the day more enjoyable.
What has surprised you the most in the past six months?
Probably how quickly things can change and how many new challenges can arise during a period that initially seems calm. I often think that I have a solid plan, but reality sometimes takes me in an entirely different direction. And often, it leads to places or situations that I couldn’t have imagined—in the best way possible.
What is your favorite place at the faculty?
The faculty has many cozy spots with their own charm. Since I’m still getting to know the faculty, my favorite place so far is our office—it has a beautiful view of Brno and is a calm, pleasant space.
In retrospect, what advice would you give to your younger, student self?
I’d give myself three pieces of advice:
1) Don’t underestimate the power of numbers-you’ll count on math consistently!
2) Go abroad during your bachelor’s studies and make the most of it!
3) Get involved in research or projects. It’s incredibly rewarding to dive into a topic and conduct research.
