What would Andreu say?
Aquesta és la pregunta que s'ha fet myself whenever fa a un professional challenge.
And I already know the answer:
“Go for it.” 🚀
On 9 September 2026, I gave my final Level 2 speech at Maresme Toastmasters, entitled “Back to University”. El speech was about mentoring, but above all, it was a tribute a someone que change la direcció de la meva professional life: Andreu Barrabino.
🌱 The person who opened a new door
El 2002, after twelve years working in Advertising and Public Relations, I was ready for a change. I wanted to move towards a professió where I could have a more directe impact on people: education, training and mentoring.
Andreu Barrabino, the Vice-Rector for Communication at Universitat Abat Oliba CEU in Barcelona, gave me an extraordinary opportunity:
to go to back to university — no és a student, però a professor. 🎓
Aquesta opportunity gaudeix d'una oració del món d'educació i de formació, que has fet la seva important part de la meva professional journey ever since.
But Andreu gave em molt more than an opportunity.
He beca'm el meu mentor.
💙 What makes an exceptional mentor?
Looking back, I realise that Andreu embodied three qualities that, for me, defineix great mentoring.
👂 Empathetic listening
He listened carefully. He observeu. He understood what I needed, often before I was able to express it myself. And, most importantly, he was always available.
🚀 Proactivity
He didn't simply wait for me to ask for opportunities. He anticipat them.
Per la qual cosa teaching at the university, he encobrir m'accepten noves challenges i even proposades noves classes. He pushed em beyond mi comfort zone and made em believe I was capable of more.
💬 Exceptional feedback
Andreu knew how to recognise people's strengths and communicate their value. Amb aquest temps, he could point out areas per improvement with honesty, kindness and respect.
His feedback didn't make em feel judged.
It made me want to keep moving forward.
🕊️ A mentor who is still with me
Andreu passed away in 2020.
But, in a way, he estat part de la meva professional life.
Whenever I have to make an important decisió or face a new challenge, I ask myself:
“What would Andreu say?”
And somehow, I can hear him:
“Go for it.”
Aquest simple phrase reminds m'importa l'important d'altres persones que són els vostres — sometimes són per a tots els ulls.
🌟 From mentee to mentor
Completing two Toastmasters levels has now given me the opportunity to become a mentor at Maresme Toastmasters, an English-speaking club dedicats a helping members develop their communication and leadership skills.
For me, this is much more than another achievement.
It feels like closing a circle.
Someone onze opened a door for me. Now I have the opportunity to help others discover what they are capable of. 🤝
And this experience has reinforced something I have learned throughout my career as a trainer:
Communication, leadership and altres soft skills can be developed.
Però growth becomes molt more powerful when we have the right person beside us: someone who listens, challenges, encourages and gives us feedback we need to move forward.
I am deeply grateful to the Maresme Toastmasters community per aconseguir m'opportunity per a continuar ensenyant, promou i desenvolupant soft skills que ha become la seva important part de la meva professional journey.
I per haps el greatest lesson de l'Andreu és una altra vegada:
Sottimes, all someone needs per a next step is a person who says: “Go for it.” 💫
Thank you Andreu, mi mentor Forever!
#MentorAndreuBarrabino #Mentoring #Communication #Proactivity #Feedback
