CROSS-DISCIPLINE POST-HEROIC LEADERSHIP IN SW & HW DEVELOPMENT
What I do
I’m a multipotentialite with experience in Defense, Space, AI, and Game Development—now looking to apply that diverse background toward real, lasting impact in environmental protection and sustainability.
Why Post-Heroic Leadership?
I often say that I don’t manage products—I manage a team of creative people. I believe the best results come from caring for people, and that the true strength and success of any organization lies in teamwork and shared values, not in a single strong leader.
A post-heroic leader inspires, supports, and helps others grow—instead of seeking recognition for themselves.
With humility and open communication, I try to create a stage for the team—a safe space for their creativity and expertise. From experience, I’ve seen this approach work well even in fields like Defence & Space or Game Development.
MY Story
Even as a teenager, I felt at home in demanding environments—especially when they had a clear purpose and called for creative thinking. I found that space through rock and mountain climbing, channeled my energy with the Water Rescue Service, and later took part in various police and military exercises focused on Close Quarters Battle, SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape), and reconnaissance.
These varied settings all share a common principle: in high-pressure situations, you need to quickly find your bearings, adapt, stay calm, and come up with the safest and most effective solution—often through creativity.
This kind of environment feels natural to me—I’m comfortable in it. And I’ve found ways to use that ability in my work as well.
As Deputy Head of International Industrial Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense, I had the opportunity to develop a diplomatic mindset and gain a deep understanding of the complex dynamics behind international relations. Taking part in negotiations and conferences across a range of politically intricate countries—such as Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Colombia, Niger, Myanmar, or Ukraine—taught me how vital communication and collaboration between different nations and cultures truly are.
Further experience at SpaceKnow and 5M strengthened my belief in the value of teamwork and the ability to support others in achieving a shared goal. Whether leading the development of Guardian, an AI-powered automated satellite image analysis system, or managing the development of a flexible solar panel, success relied on close collaboration with teams of researchers, engineers, and developers. The key factor in both cases wasn’t just technical expertise—it was the application of soft skills and a post-heroic leadership approach.
I also secured €420,000 in funding from the European Space Agency for SpaceKnow’s GEMSTONE project (Global Economy Monitoring System delivering Transparency and Online Expertise).
At the same time, I contributed as an external researcher to a project on planetary defense and asteroid mining, in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University. My role involved co-developing concepts for planetary defense and possible technological solutions for asteroid mining, as well as mapping industrial and research capacities in the Czech Republic.
Another meaningful experience was my role as Producer & Interim UX Lead at Hangar 13 Games. I led a unique team—half made up of highly creative individuals, half of programmers—working with other teams around the world to design the user interface for a game. In this context, communication and soft skills were absolutely essential. For the Mafia game, I was mainly responsible for outsourcing and co-development, collaborating closely with the environment art and MOCAP teams.
What Next?
After a journey through various technological, military, and defense-related projects, I’d now like to focus more of my attention on ecology and environmental protection. Today, I’m exploring new ways to contribute to real, sustainable change—something that can have a meaningful and positive impact on our planet.
Just like when climbing a rock face, communication with your team or partner is essential. The path forward isn’t always clear—you need to choose it carefully and efficiently. But sometimes, you reach a point where there’s simply no way forward. In that moment, you have to respond quickly, calmly, and safely. And yes, the feeling of satisfaction is waiting at the top.
Jakub Broz