Trusting where curiosity takes you, then coming home to purpose
Tomasz in the Warsaw office
Tomasz Łuczyński is the newly appointed Country Director for NIRAS Poland. In total, he been with NIRAS for about 11 years, but — in between — he explored new paths. Here’s the story of what kept drawing him back.
When Tomasz walked into the NIRAS Poland office in Warsaw in 2024, he felt like he was coming home after a trip away. The corkboard peppered with memos, coffee mugs atop wooden desks, and the recognisable voices of colleagues all came together bringing the familiar office into focus.
In a way, this was his homecoming; the second, in fact, following his first departure from NIRAS in 2015.
“If an opportunity comes, you grab it and make the most out of it. Changing jobs is an opportunity itself, an act of curiosity to try new things to see where the path will take you,” Tomasz says.
Evolution, not revolution: furthering the legacy of NIRAS Poland
Returning to NIRAS as Business Development Lead and then eventually getting promoted to head of the Warsaw office, Tomasz reflects that his time away brought clarity about his career path and the role he wanted to play in an organisation.
He thought of the impact he wanted to make and what kind of organisational structure would enable to do this — such were key in the decision that ultimately led to his return.
But to Tomasz, coming back does not mean returning to old routines and responsibilities. “In Poland, we have a saying: you do not step twice into the same river.” Such was the case for him, he says. Each time he has returned, his story has been one of rediscovery.
Tomasz first joined NIRAS in 2004 as a project manager when it acquired ABC Poland, the development consultancy where he worked. Staying for a few years, he left for an opportunity to work with the Danish Embassy in Poland, but returned to NIRAS as Director for Market Coordination.
After a second professional venture outside the firm, he was invited to step into the big shoes of the former Polish office’s Country Director Dr Jacek Niewiadomski.
Stepping into the role of Country Director is much less like starting over and more like returning to a rhythm. He knows the business, the people, and the routine, and he knows very well the leader he is succeeding.
Only when you leave do you sometimes learn to better appreciate what you left behind. It happens that you have to go on the other side to fully realize some of these things, like the wonderful atmosphere of the workplace and the companionship and teamwork with your colleagues as well as management.
Tomasz Łuczyński
Even when he is not working, Tomasz finds himself gravitating towards the same things: curiosity and company. On days off from work, he likes to run and explore the outdoors, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends.
Currently supporting the team as a Senior Advisor, Jacek led the Polish office for 30 years. In his new capacity, he offers his wisdom and a wealth of knowledge that guide both Tomasz and NIRAS Poland.
Because Jacek ran the office well, Tomasz’s vision hinges on using the good work the team has been doing over the years as a springboard to strengthen the culture of collaboration and community. As Jacek’s successor, his approach is more like a steady-paced marathon aiming for growth rather than sprinting towards absolute change — something he knows a lot about as an avid outdoor runner.
“Tomasz is a fantastic manager. His deep knowledge of the consultancy business and well-structured approach to team management adds value to NIRAS's operations,” Jacek says. “His respect for colleagues creates motivation and determination for undertaking challenging tasks. The Polish office is in great hands.”
A culture of open collaboration
That he can clearly discern the impact of his contributions is important for Tomasz who relished his experience managing the EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession that aimed to help Türkiye and the Western Balkans move closer to their goal of EU membership.
In a more hierarchical organisation, he says, the result of one’s efforts tends to get buried in layer upon layer of procedures, decision-makers, and rules.
“What I like about NIRAS is its flat structure where you can see the difference you make. You have this feeling that you are not alone, that you are a part of a team with whom you can create ideas and find solutions,” he says.
He adds that, because of its global nature, NIRAS easily connects colleagues all over the world, allowing brainstorming and problem-solving to bring out original and diverse ideas. “It’s this creative and international element that is the driver of our work.”
The Warsaw office, Tomasz says, has an almost academic approach to generating ideas. Long conversations and brainstorming sessions are part and parcel of their everyday.
“I invite others to share their views with me, which turns into a fruitful discussion because it creates an environment that allows people to contribute their findings and experiences,” Tomasz says.
Such an exchange helps with the daily grind, making space for creativity and fun amid the unpredictability of work. Tomasz calls this “firefighting”, the sudden surge of tender tasks and project work. But that is par for the course and, Tomasz admits, something he enjoys.
"It feels good if you find a solution, but I think it's not so much about the solution than it is about the chance to find solutions with the people you work with,” he says. “Sitting with a challenge on your own is much less interesting than being on this journey with others.”
In the end, Tomasz’s journey shows that curiosity can take you far — but it is purpose that brings you home.
