PSIHOLOGIJA USPJEHA Luka Abrus

Guest Luka AbrusHosted by Tanja PuretaMay 3, 2026

Luka Abrus

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many businesses faced unprecedented uncertainty, forced to make tough decisions about layoffs and pay cuts. Luka Abrus, CEO of the tech company Five, found himself in that exact position in early 2020. Yet, by year-end, Five was celebrating its most successful year in history, with revenue growth exceeding 30%. Abrus's response to the crisis was not one of panic, but of radical transparency and a deeply ingrained belief that 'Heroes back to zeros' – that every year is a fresh start, regardless of past achievements. This conversation explores how a leader can maintain clarity and conviction when the world shifts, and why long-term strategic investments, made in calmer times, are the true bedrock of crisis resilience.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

When crisis hit, Luka Abrus immediately communicated to his team that there would be no layoffs or pay reductions, despite major client cancellations. Prioritizing employee security in uncertain times builds profound trust, allowing the team to focus on solutions rather than personal fear.

Five's record growth in 2020 wasn't a result of emergency measures taken that year, but of strategic moves made in 2019, including hiring senior staff in New York and repositioning client strategy. Crisis resilience is built during periods of calm, not in the moment of crisis itself.

Luka Abrus describes the early days of the pandemic and an earthquake as 'quite enjoyable' and 'something new, a new challenge.' A leader's internal framing of a crisis, as an interesting problem to solve rather than a disaster, directly influences their ability to act decisively and inspire confidence.

The initial shock of the crisis, combined with an earthquake, helped Abrus and his partner prioritize beyond pure business metrics. When external shocks reframe the perceived severity of business challenges, leaders can refocus on core values like employee well-being over immediate financial targets.

Abrus emphasizes that not taking oneself too seriously and not setting external performance goals, like appearing on a 'Psychology of Success' podcast, frees a leader to make better decisions. External validation and self-imposed pressure can hinder effective crisis leadership; focus on internal priorities instead.

The company's ability to weather the storm came from knowing they had 'a strong and stable business,' like a 'house made of brick.' A robust underlying business model and market position provide the fundamental confidence needed to navigate temporary setbacks, knowing the core will endure.

Explore further

ScenariosBusiness challenges CardsEducational cards TimelineTopic evolution