Meet Natalia Motoc

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natalia Motoc. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Natalia, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re very focused on here – improving our ability to make decisions. Everyday, we’re faced with decisions that can impact the future of our careers, businesses, relationships and more and so one of the most impactful areas for personal development, in our view, is decision-making. Can you talk to us about how you developed or improved your decision-making skills?

Every time I’d step into a room or present in front of others, it felt like I wanted to just disappear.

Overcoming this has been a journey that largely revolved around my commitment to over-preparation. I realized early on, that facing situations like public speaking, client meetings, or important presentations often triggered self-doubt, making me feel unqualified or inadequate. To combat this, I adopted a proactive approach by extensively preparing for each engagement. This meant not just knowing my material inside and out, but also anticipating questions, practicing my delivery, and familiarizing myself with the audience’s needs and expectations.

My thorough preparation allowed me to regain a sense of control and confidence. It turned my initial fear into a tool for success. Instead of focusing on the possibility of stumbling or being exposed, I shifted my attention to delivering my best performance. Each successful interaction built my confidence.

Over time, I came to learn that changing my decision making style from “by default” to “by design” was a pivotal aspect of personal growth that empowered me to embrace my capabilities, fostering a genuine belief in my worth and expertise, especially seeing opportunities differently.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the founder of Your Operations Expert, a consulting firm born out of my decade-long journey in the recruiting and operations field, working alongside remarkable companies worth over $500 million.
My mission is to help fast growing companies and startups spending more time scaling and less time worrying about systems.
“People are measured on what makes them happy”.
Throughout my career, I have learned something profound: the true essence of any organization doesn’t lie in its size or the number of employees, but rather in the people, the values we uphold, the quality of our processes, and the love and attention we invest into building the legacy we aspire to create.

Reflecting on my path, two years ago, I crossed paths with a mentor who would change the course of my life. Our first call felt like a pivotal moment—she saw something in me that I had yet to see in myself. As we chatted and I shared my experiences, she made a bold prediction, “In roughly two years, you’ll have a consulting firm, and you’ll be speaking at major events.” I chuckled, not out of confidence but disbelief. I had spent years in high-stakes executive roles, managing million-dollar clients and navigating intricate operational intricacies, yet inside, I harbored a nagging doubt about my worthiness and abilities.

It’s a feeling many of us experience—a whisper that tells us we’re not enough, that our achievements are simply a result of luck or circumstance. This was my reality. But in that conversation, my mentor shared a powerful insight that resonated deep within me: “People don’t know what you don’t know.” I found myself asking her to repeat those words, needing to internalize their impact. It was a lightbulb moment; suddenly, it made sense. I realized that I had been underestimating my own knowledge and experience, thinking they were common rather than the unique gifts they truly are.

Fast forward to today, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey I’ve embarked on. I’m in the process of writing a book—a dream I never thought possible. Just two years ago, if someone had suggested I’d be doing this, I would have dismissed them. Yet here I am, pouring my heart and lessons learned into a project that seeks to inspire and empower those who, like me, may struggle with self-doubt.

Every day, I work with small to midsize companies, guiding them to grow and scale their teams in a way that aligns with their core values and vision. It’s exhilarating to witness the transformations that occur when organizations embrace their potential and nurture the talents within their teams. My aim is to help them build not just successful businesses through operational systems, but also meaningful legacies with the right people.
Hence, I am launching a course this July designed to help businesses transition from confusion or frustration to clarity and efficiency. This course will provide clear, straightforward practices and processes that guide teams toward a more streamlined workflow.
One of the most thrilling aspects of my business is the opportunity to empower other companies to realize their full potential. I have witnessed firsthand how clarity and streamlined processes can transform a business, turning chaos into harmony. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be a catalyst for that change, helping teams overcome challenges and reach their goals.
My consulting approach is unique because I focus on building genuine relationships with each client. But I start within, with the teams I work with. I believe in understanding the heart and soul of their business, which allows me to tailor strategies specifically to their needs. This personalized touch not only fosters trust but also creates an environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive.
Additionally, the upcoming course is a culmination of my years of experience and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It offers practical, actionable insights that empower participants to implement changes immediately, no fluff, just results. Plus, the community aspect of the course will allow participants to connect, share experiences, and support one another, creating a network of growth-oriented individuals.
Creating the course is not an easy path, but it is rewarding. With each lesson I finalize, I go back, watch and try to feel the experience my viewers will feel.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Lately I have been getting this question quite often. Looking back on my journey, I can identify a few key qualities that have been most impactful, but also shaped by my childhood experiences.
Main one is Determination. Sticking to my goals, even when faced with setbacks, has been vital. Determination fueled my persistence in the face of challenges since childhood. For those starting out, I recommend developing a growth mindset. View obstacles as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks, and keep pushing forward, even when it’s tough. Surround yourself with supportive people who can encourage you during difficult times.
Someone once told me, and it wasn’t a compliment, but it’s something I think about every time I want to give up: “You are the person who can open any door, even the door that was just closed in your face”.
Along with determination, critical thinking had a huge impact. The ability to analyze situations, evaluate options, and make informed decisions was the toughest. Practice questioning assumptions and exploring multiple perspectives when facing challenges is hard. Especially when there is no one you can ask or who knows better than you.
Second is Confidence. Believing in myself has been crucial. Confidence allowed me to take risks, tackle challenges, and pursue opportunities that may have seemed daunting at first. For those early in their journey, start by setting small, achievable goals. Celebrate your successes, no matter how minor they may seem, to build your self-belief and gradually increase your confidence.
Another crucial one that didn’t come easy is Emotional Intelligence. Understanding and managing my emotions, as well as empathizing with others, enhanced my interactions and decision-making style. It took a great deal of situations for me to work on my self-awareness and developing those strong interpersonal skills.
Time Management – mastering how to prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently can boost productivity. Consider using tools or techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or to-do lists to stay organized.
And lastly my favorite one, Networking. I love being around people. This is what fuels me with energy, ideas and motivation. Even though I don’t believe a lot in motivation, as it only lasts so much or as long as you are in the environment that it does. Just like an emotion. Emotions lasts 90 seconds, anything that we feel afterwards, is just “false emotions” fueled by our thoughts. But if you work with yourself in learning how to control your emotions, they will last as long as the emotion does. To better understand this, think about at how many times you went to a 3 day conference/event in your niche, you get all pumped up, excited, ready to move mountains, but then you go home and a few days later, that motivations shrinks down? Life happens, family, other obligations etc. The process slows down.
Each of these skills have greatly enhanced my personal and professional growth, making my journey even more impactful!
Recognizing and celebrating achievements, big or small, has kept me motivated and focused. It’s easy to overlook our wins when we’re striving for the next goal. I advise newcomers to create a habit of reflection. Keep a journal to note accomplishments and milestones; it will help you appreciate your progress and maintain momentum.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was impose strict limitations on my freedom during my childhood and teenage years. At first, I felt trapped, unable to explore my passions or make my own choices. I often found myself yearning for independence, frustrated by the constant restrictions. It felt like I was living in a bubble, cradled by their protective intentions but stifled by their fears.

However, as I turned 18, something within me shifted. I began to reflect deeply on my upbringing and realized that those limitations could be transformed into a powerful source of motivation, so I’ve reversed engineer the entire experience. Instead of succumbing to resentment, I chose to see my constraints as a foundational experience that shaped who I am today.

The lack of freedom taught me resilience and determination. It instilled a fierce drive to pursue my dreams with unwavering passion. I became ingrained with the idea that if I wanted something badly enough, I had to fight for it, because no one else would hand it to me. Each goal I set now feels like a promise to myself, an obligation that I am determined to fulfill, no matter the challenges I face.
Every time I achieve a milestone, I remember the struggle that forged my tenacity. I owe a part of my unwavering commitment to my parents’ restrictions, as they unknowingly planted the seeds of determination within me. Their intention to protect me led to a journey of self-discovery, revealing not only my strengths but also my capacity for growth.

Now, I embrace my freedom with gratitude, knowing that I hold the power to carve my own path. I am no longer defined by the limitations of my past, but rather propelled by the lessons learned from them. My journey has become a testament to the strength of the human spirit, turning what once felt like a burden into a beautiful foundation for my future.

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