Barbara Bargieł-Paikert: A Heart-Driven Leader in HR and Conscious Career Development
In the evolving world of human resources and business leadership, some professionals stand out not only for their expertise but also for the values they embody. Barbara Bargieł-Paikert is one such figure, bringing together psychology, HR management, and conscious leadership practices. With more than fifteen years of experience in the HR field, she has developed a reputation as a business facilitator, career coach, and Strengths Coach who helps both organisations and individuals unlock their true potential.
Her professional journey reflects a combination of solid corporate leadership, extensive consultancy experience, and a commitment to empowering people to align their careers with their passions and values. This article explores Barbara Bargieł-Paikert’s background, career trajectory, philosophy, and the transformative impact she creates in workplaces and individual careers.
Professional Background of Barbara Bargieł-Paikert
Academic Foundations
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Uniwersytet SWPS, one of Poland’s most recognised universities in social sciences. In addition to psychology, she studied Sociology at the University of Silesia in Katowice and pursued a diploma in Human Resources Management at Krakow University of Economics. These diverse academic pursuits gave her a strong foundation in understanding both individuals and organisational systems.
Her education was further enriched by specialised training in communication based on empathy (NVC), which later became a cornerstone of her leadership and facilitation style. This academic and practical training allowed her to combine emotional intelligence with strategic HR practices.
Early Career Journey
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert began her professional career in recruitment with The Adecco Group in Katowice, where she spent over four years as a senior recruitment consultant. Her work during this period involved coordinating large-scale recruitment projects, conducting competency interviews, and managing talent acquisition for industries such as automotive and manufacturing. This experience gave her a deep understanding of workforce dynamics and the importance of aligning the right people with the right roles.
Corporate HR Leadership
Leadership at Dragados SA
In 2010, Barbara Bargieł-Paikert moved into a leadership role as Human Resources Manager at Dragados SA. Here, she oversaw comprehensive HR responsibilities, including recruitment, training, expatriate management, payroll supervision, and talent development programmes. Her ability to design and implement HR tools such as skills mapping, career path structures, and professional competency frameworks significantly improved the organisation’s efficiency.
Her tenure at Dragados demonstrated her skill in building and leading HR teams, while also creating an inclusive and constructive workplace culture. She played a critical role in integrating Polish operations with international corporate standards, particularly in cooperation with headquarters in Madrid.
Contribution at POLAQUA
From 2014 to 2019, she continued her HR leadership journey at POLAQUA, a company operating within infrastructure and construction. During this time, she managed HR policies for two companies within the group, developed HR teams, and implemented engagement-driven initiatives. Her work included employee development programmes, performance evaluation systems, and organisational culture projects designed to strengthen collaboration across diverse teams.
Her role at POLAQUA emphasised her ability to optimise HR processes while simultaneously promoting values-based management, positioning her as not only an HR leader but also a culture shaper.
People and Culture at ELOKON Poland
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert’s next step was as People and Culture Manager at ELOKON Poland, where she worked between 2020 and 2023. Here, she was responsible for the overall HR policy of the company and its integration with business goals. She co-created and implemented a value-based organisational culture, supported employee career paths, and improved internal communication strategies.
Her approach in this role combined strategic oversight with hands-on engagement. By designing internal training programmes and strengthening talent management systems, she ensured that employees were not only productive but also motivated and aligned with the company’s vision.
Soulful HR & Career: A Conscious Approach
Founding Soulful HR & Career
In 2023, Barbara Bargieł-Paikert launched Soulful HR & Career, a consultancy dedicated to helping both organisations and individuals achieve growth in alignment with their values. As a self-employed business facilitator and HR expert, she focuses on creating growth-oriented organisational cultures and supporting people in building meaningful careers.
Her mission is to help companies integrate their business strategies with people development while also guiding individuals to create careers that reflect their passions, values, and strengths. This dual focus demonstrates her belief that the success of an organisation and the fulfilment of its people are inseparable.
Services Offered
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert’s work through Soulful HR & Career includes:
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Executive Coaching – Helping leaders and managers strengthen their leadership capabilities with empathy and vision.
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Business Facilitation – Supporting companies in developing organisational cultures that encourage collaboration and growth.
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Career Consultations – Guiding individuals through personalised sessions to identify strengths, passions, and future directions.
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Workshops and Training – Conducting sessions on soft skills, team integration, and conscious leadership.
Philosophy and Leadership Style
Conscious Leadership
At the core of Barbara Bargieł-Paikert’s philosophy is the idea of conscious leadership. She believes that leadership must go beyond achieving business goals; it should also cultivate trust, empathy, and purpose in teams. By integrating psychology, sociology, and HR expertise, she helps leaders and organisations embrace a holistic approach to management.
Strengths-Based Development
As a Clifton Strengths Coach, she emphasises the importance of recognising and leveraging individual talents. This approach ensures that people can thrive in their natural areas of excellence, contributing more effectively to their organisations while also feeling fulfilled in their personal development.
Human-Centred Organisational Culture
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert advocates for value-based and human-centred organisational cultures. Her projects consistently focus on aligning corporate strategies with the authentic needs of employees, ensuring that workplaces are both productive and meaningful.
Impact and Recognition
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert’s career demonstrates a consistent impact on both corporate and personal levels. In the corporate world, she has transformed HR functions into strategic business enablers, fostering environments where innovation and collaboration thrive. On the individual level, her coaching and facilitation work has empowered professionals to create careers aligned with their passions and values.
Her ability to combine academic expertise, practical HR leadership, and conscious facilitation makes her a standout professional in the HR and leadership coaching sector in Poland and beyond.
Conclusion
Barbara Bargieł-Paikert represents the new face of HR and leadership: heart-driven, conscious, and committed to authentic growth. From her early recruitment roles to leading HR teams in multinational companies, and now as the founder of Soulful HR & Career, she has consistently prioritised people while ensuring that organisations remain competitive and future-ready.
Her journey illustrates the power of combining psychology, strengths-based coaching, and conscious leadership to achieve both business success and personal fulfilment. For organisations seeking to build collaborative, values-driven cultures, and for individuals aiming to design careers aligned with their true potential, Barbara Bargieł-Paikert offers a guiding light.
