Jiří Koleňák: My name is Jiří Koleňák and welcome to the Úspěšní (Successful) podcast, where my guests and I explore the principles and habits that drive their success. Let’s dive in. My guest today is Ondřej Průcha, a civil engineer and experienced real estate developer who co-founded the company Svoboda a Průcha. Ondřej specializes in transforming land into profitable real estate, bringing years of experience as a development project manager and construction director. In running his business and managing people, he strongly applies a systemic approach. Hi Ondra, welcome to the podcast.
Ondřej Průcha: Hi Jirko.
Jiří Koleňák: Ondra, I always start by asking what brought my guests the greatest joy in recent days. What was it for you?
Ondřej Průcha: I recently found out that we are expecting another child, so I’m going to be a father again. That brought me immense joy.
Jiří Koleňák: That makes me very happy too, and I'm glad you shared it here on the mic. Congratulations!
Ondřej Průcha: Thank you.
Jiří Koleňák: Let’s start at the beginning of your career. Why did you choose civil engineering?
Ondřej Průcha: I was fundamentally fascinated by the craft and the work. I loved seeing structures take shape—the timber frames, the skill of the tradesmen. I started out doing manual summer jobs on construction sites and watched experienced craftsmen building these massive structures. It was awe-inspiring. As a kid, you build sandcastles; for me, real construction was simply taking that childhood dream and turning sandcastles into real, lasting buildings.
Jiří Koleňák: Do you recall specific skills from your university studies that helped accelerate your career afterwards?
Ondřej Průcha: University education is fundamental because it forces you to accomplish complex goals consistently over time. It cultivates your mind and changes how you think. Studying isn't about memorizing chemical formulas or historical dates; it’s about learning how to connect disparate information, process complex texts, and apply knowledge directly to real-world problems.
Jiří Koleňák: You advanced quickly into management roles within multinational corporations. What personal traits or experiences enabled that fast growth?
Ondřej Průcha: A genuine drive to work and a deep love for the job. From the very beginning, I took full personal ownership of every project. I needed to connect deeply with the underlying purpose of the company and see tangible, high-performance results behind my work.
Jiří Koleňák: So even in a corporate setting, taking personal ownership provided your primary energy.
Ondřej Průcha: Exactly. I had to internalize the purpose of the project. Once I felt that alignment, I threw myself into it fully, which made the work immensely fulfilling.
Jiří Koleňák: What are the key differences between managing development projects for a multinational corporation versus building your own company?
Ondřej Průcha: It’s completely different. In a large corporation, you must strictly understand your specific role and its defined boundaries. You are executing someone else's corporate strategy, and you must respect where your personal authority starts and ends.
Jiří Koleňák: What else did working in a multinational corporate environment teach you?
Jiří Vávra: In hindsight, I learned that I don't belong in corporate life. However, it taught me how to run a real business—understanding reporting, investor relations, financial management, and capital sourcing. While corporate life was personally challenging for me, I couldn't run my own development company today without those technical and managerial foundations.
Jiří Koleňák: When did the decisive moment come to go out on your own?
Ondřej Průcha: It's an interesting story looking back. I was actually fired twice from large corporations. Both times, the exit feedback was: "You act as if you own the company." At the time, that feedback was painful because I thought caring for someone else's business as if it were my own was a virtue. But my approach is all-in—taking full, uncompromising responsibility. Corporations often struggle with managers who hold opinions that are too strong. Getting fired helped me realize I didn't fit into corporate structures, forcing me to build my own business where that strong sense of personal ownership is an asset, not a liability.
Jiří Koleňák: Did you fear failure when launching your own business?
Ondřej Průcha: I was at a point where I knew I wanted nothing else. I didn't waste mental energy wondering if it would work or not; I made a firm decision that this was my path. My team and I launched with maximum energy and a clear vision. We treated success as the only acceptable outcome.
Jiří Koleňák: How did you handle moments of doubt along the way?
Ondřej Průcha: Our company culture is built around a winning mindset. We don't dwell on failure; we focus entirely on finding solutions. Unexpected challenges happen daily—clients back out of signed agreements after two years of negotiations simply because market conditions shifted. Instead of panicking, we immediately reframe those setbacks into opportunities—seeking higher sales prices or finding clients who align better with our values. We operate on unwavering faith in the quality of our product. When you truly believe in the value you deliver, finding the right client is just a matter of time and persistence.
Jiří Koleňák: Why did you name the firm Svoboda a Průcha?
Ondřej Průcha: My partner, Martin Svoboda, and I had previously tried launching two smaller companies that fizzled out. When those initial attempts failed, I decided to take absolute control of my trajectory. I wanted to build something lasting with Martin Svoboda and Pavel Fridrišek. Over a glass of wine, Martin and I evaluated what assets we actually had. We didn't have big financial funds, corporate backing, or massive completed landmark projects to showcase. The only real asset we possessed was our personal names and reputations. Naming the firm Svoboda a Průcha signified that we were putting our personal reputations on the line and guaranteeing the quality of our work with our own names.
Jiří Koleňák: You mentioned having a winning mindset. When risks or uncertainties arise, what framework or theory do you rely on?
Ondřej Průcha: Clear division of team roles. I didn't partner with Martin by accident. From the start, I act as the driving engine—the wolf breaking down barriers, finding new opportunities, and pushing fast growth. Meanwhile, I deeply respect Martin’s role as our risk manager. When I present a bold vision, Martin draws on his experience to highlight potential pitfalls and establish necessary risk controls. He might pause five risky ideas, but he greenlights five others with solid risk mitigation. That balance allows us to scale continuously and safely.
Jiří Koleňák: What surprised you most when comparing entrepreneurship to corporate employment?
Ondřej Průcha: How deeply fulfilling it is. I enjoyed corporate work initially, but politics often overshadowed genuine results. Running my own business feels like living a dream. I wake up excited at 6:00 AM every single day because my work carries real personal meaning.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you define personal success?
Ondřej Průcha: True success requires a balanced portfolio across business, career, and family. My wife and family are central to my success. Without a happy home and a supportive partner to share life with, professional achievements feel hollow. Success means having both a healthy, thriving family and a strong, growing business.
Jiří Koleňák: When did you first realize your career was genuinely succeeding?
Ondřej Průcha: Only after I started my own business. In corporations, I was constantly striving for higher titles without truly enjoying the journey. About a year and a half ago, I paused and realized: "This is what a dream job feels like."
Jiří Koleňák: Are there specific milestones you are particularly proud of?
Ondřej Průcha: Closing out 2024 was a major proud milestone. At the start of every year, we set clear strategic targets. Last year, our company expanded to five times our original projection. Growing that fast brings daily operational stress and risks, but maintaining a high-level strategic perspective allowed me to step back from short-term issues and recognize our overall progress.
Jiří Koleňák: Do you apply strategic planning outside of business?
Ondřej Průcha: Yes, my family operates on a defined family strategy. As someone trained in constructivism and systemic theory, I apply structured planning and alignment to family life as well.
Jiří Koleňák: How would you explain the systemic approach in simple terms?
Ondřej Průcha: The systemic approach means acknowledging that my internal reality and perspective aren't identical to my partner's or anyone else's. What I construct in my mind cannot be assumed for others. Another person has distinct needs, emotions, and contexts. Effective leadership and communication require framing conversations carefully, seeking to understand the other person's viewpoint, and navigating differences with empathy.
Jiří Koleňák: How does the systemic approach influence how you lead your team?
Ondřej Průcha: It dictates how we manage people. Every employee has a clear personal mandate—an agreed "order" defining what they are expected to deliver by year-end. I conduct regular 1-on-1 meetings with every team member. These aren't casual chats; they are structured strategic check-ins designed to advance their personal goals step-by-step toward our shared corporate vision.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you handle employees who resist "coaching" or systemic terminology?
Ondřej Průcha: I translate the principles into their language. If an employee dislikes psychological terminology, we keep our conversations purely operational and practical. The systemic framework runs quietly in the background, ensuring our dialogue remains constructive and purposeful without forcing labels on them.
Jiří Koleňák: How does your firm navigate constant market changes?
Ondřej Průcha: One of my core mottoes is that the only certainty in life is permanent change. We treat market shifts and crises as opportunities. Every economic downturn historically breaks weaker players while creating room for resilient, agile companies to emerge stronger. We reframe setbacks into stepping stones for growth.
Jiří Koleňák: Do you have daily habits that keep you effective?
Ondřej Průcha: My main ritual is simple: I wake up every morning and go to work. Real estate development relies on long-term execution. To build trust and show results in development, you must show up 250 days a year and execute small, routine tasks flawlessly before major results become visible.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you invest in your ongoing personal growth?
Ondřej Průcha: I am in my third year of advanced systemic training at the Institute of Systemic Studies. While early training focused on external communication with partners and teams, it now focuses inward—learning to manage my internal roles, reflect objectively, and practice self-leadership.
Jiří Koleňák: What books or theories have influenced you most?
Ondřej Průcha: A decade ago, I wanted to become rich, so I studied foundational finance books like Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad and Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. Later, I explored philosophy and books like The Secret of Resonance. Over time, I realized that financial wealth is merely a byproduct of living a rich, purposeful life. When you focus on delivering genuine value, solving real problems, and creating a positive corporate culture, financial returns follow naturally. The greatest wealth is having a meaningful dream that inspires you every morning.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you recharge your energy away from work?
Ondřej Průcha: High-intensity alpine skiing in Italy—breathing crisp air at 3,000 meters, skiing hard, and enjoying a coffee with my wife. I also love sailing on the open water. Both activities force complete mental presence and offer deep recovery.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you make critical business decisions?
Ondřej Průcha: I evaluate every major opportunity against our core company strategy. Opportunities are like mail carriers—they rarely deliver the exact same package twice. When an opportunity arrives, I analyze its potential, risks, and financial return. If it aligns with our annual strategy, we pursue it with proper risk mitigation. If it doesn't align, I comfortably pass on it, knowing I made a deliberate strategic choice.
Jiří Koleňák: What advice would you give professionals hesitating to take a bold career step?
Ondřej Průcha: I've faced moments in my life where I thought I was taking my last breath. Near the end of life, people never regret the mistakes they made or the failed attempts they learned from; they suffer over the unfulfilled paths they were too afraid to try. If you feel a deep internal pull toward a dream, take the leap.
Jiří Koleňák: What should aspiring entrepreneurs focus on at the start?
Ondřej Průcha: Gain absolute clarity on what you want. Write down your vision consciously. Knowing your purpose provides the internal strength needed to execute tough decisions. Working inside a corporation for a few years with the explicit goal of learning business mechanics is also a fantastic foundation before launching your own venture.
Jiří Koleňák: Where do you see your company in 5 to 10 years?
Ondřej Průcha: Svoboda a Průcha will remain an agile, family-led business. Over the next decade, we plan to diversify our business model into four stable pillars: Real Estate Development, Investments, Energy, and General Commerce. Diversifying into four distinct business units ensures long-term stability through economic turbulence.
Jiří Koleňák: Do you have a dream development project?
Ondřej Průcha: My equivalent of winning the Stanley Cup would be developing a comprehensive, beautifully designed new urban district that becomes an integral part of Prague.
Jiří Koleňák: What legacy would you like to pass on to future generations?
Ondřej Průcha: The only way to win against the external world is to learn to trust yourself implicitly.
Jiří Koleňák: Thank you, Ondřej, for joining us and sharing your story and insights.
Ondřej Průcha: Thank you very much for having me, Jirko!
Jiří Koleňák: To our audience, please like, subscribe, and comment. See you next time with more inspiring guests!
