Eduardo Arenas: Raising the Bar While Helping Others Reach It

Eduardo Arenas stands out as a thoughtful and driven Senior Associate at the Client Service team whose journey at Dialectica reflects a deep commitment to clarity, ownership, and team culture. Based in the Bogotá office, he brings a grounded perspective shaped by local insight and a global mindset—always focused on raising the bar while helping others reach it.

What achievement are you most proud of in your journey to becoming a Senior Associate?

I’ve had wins along the way, but the one I’m proudest of is mentoring my first new joiner. It stretched me to slow down, explain the “why, what, and how,” and balance delivery with guidance. Watching her grow into a strong performer—and now mentoring others—has been the most rewarding part of my journey so far. That experience clarified what being a Senior Associate means to me: raising the bar while helping others reach it, creating clarity, and building a culture where impact continues even when you’re not in the room.

Can you share a time when you went above and beyond to deliver results for a client or team?

Going “above and beyond” is what turns us from salesmen into true research partners. One example was a client with a critical one-day window to complete calls. We built a rapid‑response workflow with constant communication and back‑to‑back scheduling, booking until 12:45 a.m. alongside our overnight team. By morning, the client had hit her target and, more importantly, knew she could trust us to get the expert insights she needed for her project. That’s the moment a vendor becomes a partner.

What was one skill or mindset shift that helped you grow the most in the last 12 months?

The biggest shift has been learning the power of disciplined habits. I used to think progress meant pushing harder every day, but what really made a difference was structuring my work with consistency. Discipline creates freedom—it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things with rigor. That shift made my performance more predictable and built trust with both clients and teammates.

Can you recall a moment when you failed or struggled? How did you overcome it and what did you learn?

One of the times I struggled the most was when I felt ready to take the next step, but the feedback I received said otherwise. Hearing that you still need to work on “X, Y, or Z” can be frustrating. But I’ve learned those moments are where real growth happens. I had to stay patient, take the feedback seriously, and keep evolving. Every time I thought I’d reached my peak, I discovered a sharper version of myself waiting on the other side.

Who or what played a key role in your development? Any mentors, teammates, or moments that stood out?

Mentors like Marina Oikonomidou and John Karaiskos were instrumental in shaping how I lead and build trust. They taught me to slow down and clarify the “why,” then move fast with purpose. Their feedback sharpened my communication and leadership. I also learned a lot from peers—those quick exchanges and different approaches added up over time. And mentoring others has been just as formative, forcing me to distill what works and step back so others could take ownership.

How do you contribute to creating a strong, collaborative team culture?

Small rituals—like morning greetings or celebrating wins—go a long way. I believe in praising publicly and giving feedback privately to build trust while keeping standards high. For me, culture isn’t built through speeches—it’s shaped by consistent, intentional actions that help the team thrive together.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve received—and how did it shape your approach?

The best feedback I’ve received was to make my leadership more visible. I’m not the loudest in the room, so I’ve learned to show it in other ways. That shift taught me that leadership isn’t about volume—it’s about influence and trust. 

Eduardo’s journey reflects purposeful leadership built on discipline, clear communication, and a commitment to helping others grow. By earning trust and setting high standards, he fosters a culture where clarity, collaboration, and continuous growth drive success—core qualities of what it means to be a Senior Associate at Dialectica.

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