Maria has a natural gift for turning doubts into solutions, making what seems confusing clear and thinking carefully about the best approach to each challenge. Her objectivity means that she doesn't like to waste time - she often has the answer before the question is even finished. Efficiency is the order of the day, and to this equation she adds a highly creative and people-centred mind.

Maria's optimism is the initial impetus behind every project she gets involved in; even when the challenge intensifies, she ensures that the outcome is positive

Although she observes more than she asks, she manages to understand her team ‘from afar and by face’, adapting to each person's temperament. The attention he gives to each client is the same as the attention he gives to each member of the team on a daily basis or when organising team-building moments outside the office so that they are well remembered.

1. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
   I would stop everyone in time, and only I could walk. Whenever I wanted to, I'd freeze everything else, walk around for a moment and then wake everyone else up again. I only feel this way in my professional life, I wouldn't apply it to my personal life.
2. A book you'd recommend?
   I'd recommend two, actually: The Brief Life of Flowers, which is marvellous, and Everything is River. Of the latter, I'd highlight the moment when the mother leaves a letter to her daughter. That mum's letter is incredible... I get goose bumps just talking about it.
   I started reading late, perhaps in my thirties. But for some time now I've had a group of ‘poets’ who get together every month to have dinner, drinks and talk about books, which means that I now read a book a month, which is very good.
3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?
   I wouldn't say anything, since everyone takes what they want when it comes to presumption and holy water (laughs).
   I'd only give personal advice, I'd never give professional advice. Everyone's professional path is based exclusively on their ability to evolve personally. I believe the two things are interconnected.
   
   But I would give advice to the younger ones, like: don't let time pass for the things that are really important to you. Don't get distracted! ... if you have a small baby, pick him up from school. Otherwise, just let it roll!
4. What do you like to do to relax after a day's work?
   Sit on a terrace and have a glass of wine. With company, I don't really like being alone, I don't look for it or miss it.
5. What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done or would like to do in the future?
   I like controlled adrenaline, in other words I like rollercoasters, but I would never throw myself out of an aeroplane or onto a hang glider.
   The most adventurous thing I've ever done, in emotional terms, was to walk to Santiago. I did it last year, even though I thought I'd never do it in my life. I'm not a walking person, but these days I'm hiking. At the time, I had to prepare myself, because I don't like letting other people down. I was going with five fitness friends and I didn't want to force them to stay behind. It wasn't something I thought I'd enjoy, but I loved it.
6. If your life were a film, what would the title be and which actor would you choose to play you?
   It would be a romance, because I'm a very ‘pink’ person. It would always end well, because when films end badly, I don't even watch them. The actress would definitely be Julia Roberts; the actor, perhaps George Clooney or Richard Gere. As for the title, I can't say... Actually, I'd like it to be Life is Beautiful, but this one has a sad connotation... But it ends well! I loved the film, and indeed the message is beautiful. Particularly when Guido says: Buongiorno, Principessa! Ho sognato tutta la notte con te.
7. If you were given a week's all-expenses-paid holiday tomorrow, which place would you choose?
   I'd choose to stay in Portugal and have a party! Whenever I can, I prefer a party to travelling. Bringing people together, anywhere marvellous in our country. I'd spend a week in Portugal preparing for the party and I'd save the money on travelling so I could invite my people.
8. If you could swap positions with someone at Softway for a day, who would it be and why?
   I'd swap places with Maria Cunha to find out how she sees me. I'd swap places with her so that for a week I could look at the company and myself through her eyes. I choose Maria Cunha because she's the youngest and because she doesn't mince her words when she really wants to say something.
9. Which song do you love and never tire of recommending?
   Definitely the song Loucos by Matias Damásio. It was the song that opened my 25th birthday party. ‘But the world calls us crazy’ - it doesn't get any corny, but I think that's what life is all about. I love it!
10. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received, and who gave it to you?
    My father gave it to me, and it was a life lesson. Many years ago, the office was burgled; we got there in the morning and there was nothing. There was no computer, no chairs, nothing. We were very young and still few, maybe four or five people. Faced with that scenario, I remember it as if it were today, I sat down on the floor and rang my father. When I explained what had happened, he replied: ‘... Look, what about your head? And your hands, are they still there? Then roll up your sleeves and start again.’ And so we hung up the phone.
    I learnt a lot! I got up and did it. Life has its moments. You have to roll up your sleeves and get on with it.
11. What profession would you like to have if you weren't working at Softway?
    I could work in any field or sector. When I was young and took psychotechnical tests, the conclusion was always the same: ‘You can do whatever you want, as long as you work with people. Your profile is for managing people.’ Softway was a happy circumstance, but as long as the job involves managing people and projects and leading, I'm happy. I'm the daughter of a father who is a leader and a mother who is present, that's the reality I know.
12. What's your biggest dream?
    I'm going to echo the words of a friend who said to me today: ‘My greatest dream is to live forever with my husband and see my children happy.’ Mine is exactly that too; I don't have a bigger one.

We hope that this interview will be an inspiration to all the readers of our blog and that, like Maria, they will be leaders who combine authenticity and commitment, thus guiding the way to success.