Argjira Kadrijaj Dushi
BPB
Head of Retail Business and Digital Banking Department
Argjira Kadrijaj Dushi is Head of Retail Business and Digital Banking at BPB in Kosovo. In this interview with Boris Plantier from Qorus, she reveals that her leadership energy comes not only from driving digital transformation, but also from moments of reflection — cooking as a form of meditation, exploring new cities, and learning from every experience, even setbacks. Her approach blends ambition with curiosity, purpose, and humanity.
Please tell us a little bit about your background.
I am a banking professional with more than 18 years of experience in leading business development, transformation, and growth within the financial sector. My career has evolved through diverse leadership roles across business, retail, digital banking, and marketing. My professional journey has always been centered on one vision: building teams that perform strongly because they think innovatively and act with purpose. I have had the privilege of designing and implementing not only strategies and results, but also internal culture by creating more openness, collaboration, and a mindset of innovation across teams.
Alongside my responsibilities, I am pursuing a PhD in Digital Economy, focusing on the intersection of digitalization, internationalization, and SME performance. This academic journey deeply complements my leadership approach by helping me connect data, strategy, and people into one forward-looking vision. I live in the dynamic city of Prishtina, where my life as a mother of two inspires me to balance ambition with empathy, and performance with perspective.
What does your workplace look like?
My workplace has never been defined by physical walls but by energy and constant exchange of ideas — from strategic meetings to structured data. It is a place where people feel empowered to contribute ideas, take ownership, and challenge traditional thinking. I strive to build a workplace centered on collaboration and trust rather than hierarchy and control. It’s where teams come together across functions to design not only products and campaigns, but better experiences for our clients.
The energy is creative and dynamic. We brainstorm, test, and iterate constantly. I focus on cultivating an environment where ideas move freely, where learning from experiments is valued as much as success, and where communication is open and genuine. Over time, this transforms the atmosphere: people feel connected to the mission, proud of their work, and motivated to innovate.
Could you describe your usual working day?
My day begins early with a clear sense of direction. I review key business indicators and align priorities with the management team. The morning is often dedicated to strategic discussions — refining customer propositions, assessing performance, and shaping the next steps in our strategy development journey.
I spend a large part of my day interacting with others, whether it’s leading a project review, mentoring emerging leaders, or engaging directly with teams to understand what truly drives motivation and results. I believe leadership is about presence and communication — making sure everyone feels part of something meaningful.
What is your favorite food?
While I am a fan of Mediterranean food, I also find cooking to be one of the things I truly love. It’s both creative and grounding, and it is my form of meditation. I’m especially drawn to Mediterranean flavors, but I’m always experimenting, rarely making the same dish twice. For me, cooking reflects how I lead and live: curious, adaptive, and open to trying new combinations to create something better each time.
What do you do when you need a break from work?
When I need a break, I travel. New views, new people, new cities, new vibes — always somewhere simple and balanced. But a quiet coffee in a new city, a glass of wine with good music, or time with my children helps me reset instantly. I also enjoy reading and reflecting, distilling experiences into insights that help me grow both personally and professionally.
What is the key to building a successful team?
The essence lies in trust, shared vision, and empowerment. When people feel trusted, they act with ownership. When they share a vision, they align their energy. And when they are empowered, they innovate. I invest time in creating clarity of purpose, explaining why we do what we do, and ensuring that every person feels their contribution matters. Successful teams are not built by authority but by authenticity and the belief that everyone adds value.
There is a saying that we learn more from failure than success. Tell me about one of your failures and what you learned from it.
Earlier in my leadership career, I launched a strong strategic initiative that failed to reach its potential — not because of the idea itself, but because I hadn’t brought the whole organization along in the journey. That experience taught me one of the most important lessons in leadership: success in transformation depends on inclusion and communication. You can have the best strategy, but if people don’t feel part of it, execution will stall. Since then, I have made dialogue, transparency, and shared ownership the foundation of every change.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to succeed in financial services?
Be curious, be human, and be adaptable. The banking industry is evolving rapidly — technology, data, and customer behavior are reshaping how we create value. Yet the human element remains essential.
Learn continuously, stay open to new ideas, and never lose sight of purpose. Understand that leadership in finance today is not only about managing numbers but about inspiring people and driving meaningful progress. Success follows those who balance strategic intelligence with empathy, agility, and integrity.
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