leadership AIESEC
MAGAZINE
the international platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potencial
SLOVENIA 15/2020
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Index
Index AIESEC Leadership Magazine SLOVENIA 15 THROUGH 2020 Publisher AIESEC Slovenia Editor Marta Silva
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Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadership Magazine
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“AIESEC provides Slovenian young people with skills that normal education is not able to”
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They became CEO before turning 26
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“AIESEC gave me the leadership attitude”
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“My involvement with AIESEC had greater impact on my career than even studies at the faculty”
Design and layout Maša Kušar
illustration: Maša Kušar
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Invited Contributors Dita Vania Edita Kranjovic Matic Vosnjak Matevž Martincic Klemen Zapecnik Sabina Klancar Košir Nataša Tovornik Manca Polovšak Maja Podgoršek Tadeja Rožman
What type of Leader are you?
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Leadership the World Needs
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World Economic Forum - Agenda 2015
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2015 Trends in Slovenia
“Women have a problem. But the solution as well.”
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“How to turn ordinary people into Winners - The True Story”
Print Pressing 1400 copies
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Faces of the future: Awakening of enthusiasm
Ljubljana, July 2015
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In the end, it all depends on people
Supported by www.mediade.si
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“We shouldn’t be satisfied with being average”
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100 CEOs and Politicians together, improving Southeastern Europe
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My steps to leadership
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadeship Magazine
Why Slovenia needs AIESEC Leadership Magazine photo: personal archives
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ecently many political scandals have came to the public, Janez Janša or Janko Veber are some of the names that first came to mind as the stars of various headlines. Corruption and lack of integrity are scenarios that we are witnessing in everyday news. Throughout the years, Slovenians have faced this type of news but, at the same time, over the years nothing has actually changed. Youth, the driver of the country, has become aphetic and resigned. They seem not to care about changing because it feels that there isn’t actually much they could do about the country’s reality. But truth Slovenia has several brilliant examples, across sectors, of successful and ethical talent. According with transparency.org Slovenia appears as the 39th cleanest country, out of 144, not bad at all. In World Economic Forum, Slovenia shows evident potential to become a brighter nation. Slovenia is like a rough diamond that needs to be polished by the right values and ambitions. Slovenia needs to empower its youth to take action and become a better version of itself by challenging the status quo, being critical and determined to write a different chapter in the country’s history. Slovenia needs better leaders. Leaders who are aware of what is going on in the world and who have a clear understanding of who they are and what can they improve on. Leaders who are resilient, while striving for the best solutions and are capable to engage and empower others. AIESEC Leadership Magazine was born to help Slovenians become conscious about their own potential and the tools available to make this change real. Organizations like AIESEC provide Slovenian youth with different opportunities to develop their own potential. Leading a project with real responsibilities towards different stakeholders and being able to motivate others to take action is what you need to make a change right here, right now.
Marta Silva | Public Relations and Marketing Director AIESEC Slovenia 2014/15 Editor of AIESEC Leadership Magazine
“Slovenia is like a rough diamond that needs to be polished by the right values and ambitions.” Contacts: marta.silva@aiesec.net | marketing@aiesec.si 3
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: A chat with the President
photo: personal archives
“AIESEC provides Slovenian young people with skills that normal education is not able to”
DITA VANIA President of AIESEC Slovenia 2014/2015
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ita first joined AIESEC in 2009 mainly motivated by friends and the opportunity of being surrounded by a global environment. Soon she realized that that organization was striving to provide the world with a fundamental solution – youth leadership – which made her connect in a stronger way with its purpose. When asked about how does AIESEC develop leadership she firmly replies that “AIESEC develops youth leadership by facilitating programs which allow every4
one who enrolls to go through an internal and external personal journey which helps them shape who they are. These programs include membership, volunteering abroad or working abroad”. In conversation, Dita explains that from AIESEC’s perspective it is up to the global leaders to drive and empower their people so that countries get rid of ignorance, intolerance and cultural misunderstanding. AIESEC is present in 128 countries due to a gradual expansion, over the years. It was first established in Belgium, France, the Nordics and the Netherlands, after the Second World War, in 1948, and right away expanded to different regions. Soon the organization grew and so did its structure. Today AIESEC can be perceived as a social business type of organization, which is lead, globally, by the President of AIESEC International. It’s up to AIESEC International to define the global directions of the organization. Then each national board has to adapt the global direction to each national reality. AIESEC is a non-political and non-discriminative organization which embraces cultural differences with cultural understanding, and this is how the organization is able to rise above geographical conflicts. In Slovenia AIESEC has been around since 1992, the country’s official establishment. According with Dita, the presence of this organization in Slovenia is the opportunity that Slovenian youth has not to be so apathetic. Slovenians now have the chance to accept leadership challenges and become more self aware, to develop their global mindset, ability to focus in solutions and empowering others through membership and exchange programs that AIESEC has to offer.
We asked Dita 4 crucial questions to help us understand the value of this organization:
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: A Chat with the President
Dita: Access to top and international talent. AIESECers are not regular students, they have organizational skills. Due to the organization’s international reach English is the first speaking language within the organization. AIESEC is a dynamic organization and it changes fast which also allows AIESECers to be naturally flexible and adaptable. No student job will push Slovenians to adapt to change like AIESEC does. Also the workload and responsibility that is given to our members makes them to develop ownership towards their projects, and be more proactive, energetic and creative in problem solving.
2. Why should NGOs partner with AIESEC? Dita: NGOs have different issues to fight for. AIESEC is a platform that can help NGOs to address their needs by finding people who are passionate about the issues they need. This cooperation will help increasing the international awareness towards Slovenia, which can also open space for a third party, like the government, to help this program to strengthen its impact in Slovenia and across borders.
3. Why should the government support AIESEC? Dita: AIESEC complements the education in the country. We provide Slovenian young people with skills that normal education is not able to. Who in Slovenia is under 25 and had already the opportunity of being a CEO? I think that besides the local office presidents of AIESEC in Slovenia, very few can prove to have had such an exNational Board of AIESEC of Slovenia 14/15
perience. In addition, as I mentioned before, the direct impact we create through social projects in schools and NGOs are, also, self explanatory examples. During the current year AIESEC has been endorsed by the Slovenian Department for Youth, which already shows openness from the governmental institutions but I believe that there is still space for a stronger cooperation, in the next years.
4. If every young Slovenian had an experience (exchange and leadership) with AIESEC how do you think that Slovenia would look like? Dita: Society would be much more dynamic, filled with entrepreneurial spirit and patriotic people. People would be more passionate, compromised and committed with a bigger cause, - striving for a better world, a more civilized nation and a more inclusive society, ready to empower others. Nevertheless, the impact AIESEC has brought to Slovenia is starting to be uncovered through the membership and exchange experiences we are providing and in the name of AIESEC Slovenia’s National Board I proudly say that after one year in Slovenia we can already see a thin wave of proactivity and youth empowerment Dita concludes. It is, now, up to the reader to determine whether if these experiences are life-changing, empowering and global enough. In the name of the National Board of AIESEC Slovenia, I say, AIESEC is here to help you. Contacts: dita.vania@aiesec.net | president@aiesec.si photo: personal archives
What does AIESEC Slovenia have to offer to Slovenian corporations?
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: CEO under 26
They became CEO before turning 26 A
IESEC has a social business structure in which the national board leads the national direction of the local offices. Each office is led by the local board which has the responsibility of implementing and driving, locally, the national strategies. The local CEO is the president of each local board. Currently Slovenia has three official offices (Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor) and one expansion (Koper). Presidents of each local board are the ultimate responsible for any failures or successes of each entity therefore it takes passion, commitment and determination to engage in such an experience.
All my life, I always had this hidden wish that one day I could lead professionally a team. However I never had the courage or maturity to actually do that. After I came back from my student exchange program, I felt that I was in need of something more in life. That’s when I discovered AIESEC and after my very first Local Committee meeting, I knew who I wanted to be out of all the people that were presenting: The guy who ran our Local Committee. I was in awe, when I imagined how cool this position is and what you can learn from it. To be able to lead others and create the vision for where you want your committee to go is something that is really excites to me. All the tasks you have and how you can have the overview of the whole situation is awesome. So that is why I clearly wanted this position. Also, during my experience in AIESEC I gained so much that it was obvious for me to give back and give my best to shape AIESEC Ljubljana. When you imagine it’s impossible to think of all the details involved in this position. It is demanding since you are the person who determines the vision and goals of the local office and it is your responsibility to ensure the 6
fruition of those goals and vision. You have to consider all your options before making the final decisions, taking into account all the people and their different interests. You have to be available most of the time. The experience itself can be demanding, but the experience and knowledge you gain after you overcome these many challenges are worth the time and effort. Afterall you can always overcome any obstacle if you focus on your goals.
Sabina Klančar Košir Local Committee President of AIESEC Kranj
photo: personal archives
photo: personal archives
Matevž Martinčič Local Committee President of AIESEC Ljubljana
AIESEC stretched me to become the best version of myself while giving me first hand experience in leading a diverse team. By leading a team, I was able learn about cultural differences, resource management; how to be results driven and most importantly I was able gain a business perspective. Overall, making me better prepared for what the future holds and understand the role I play in developing Slovenian leaders that will make this country a better place.
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: CEO under 26
Klemen Zapečnik Local Committee President of AIESEC Maribor
My AIESEC story began on the first year of my economy and business studies. I knew I had to do something more, so I was searching for activities on campus. I found a poster that said something about a photo: personal archives “Future leaders program.” I had no idea what to expect, but I have soon met some AIESECers, who were busy working on impactful projects and giving us opportunities to try something new. These were simple tasks, but we needed to be organized and dedicated. Not even a year later I decided to take one step further. I decided to apply as local committee president. I had a vision about AIESEC in Maribor and I wanted to challenge myself with this role. It was a challenge from the first week on, but I don’t regret even one day of it. I was never very organized, so this was the first thing I had to
change, because nothing will work without structure. Regular meetings with exceptional leaders from all over the world helped me grow and become a better leader myself. They were standing behind me, ready to help with whatever I needed and that’s really motivating, because although I was inexperienced, I knew together we would impact Maribor. I have gained a different perspective about life in the past two years. I no longer fear the unexpected or hide from opportunities. I look forward to every chance I get to grow personally and professionally. I no longer fear public speaking, my English improved a lot and I have contacts all over the world. AIESECers are better professionals, because we experience the corporate world through a system of learning by doing and with the help and support of other leaders. We have the freedom to fail and the spirit to continue. AIESEC opens our thoughts to a more global mindset.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Diaries - Edita Krajnovic
photo: personal archives
“AIESEC gave me the leadership attitude”
EDITA KRAJNOVIC CEO Mediade
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IESEC gave me the leadership attitude. When I joined AIESEC, during the 2nd year of my degree, I was actually a bit reluctant to participate. It seemed to me that people, senior AIESECers, were talking about things that I didn´t have a clue about. I was shy, unwilling to say anything. I attended weekly meetings for a year before I got enough courage to say something (even though now I am recognized as extrovert and not risk averse). I know it sounds funny from today´s perspective. But once after the ice was broken, I joined the marketing team and my participation in the organization of a local event was a milestone. After coming back from the US, in 1991, I became a President of the Local Of8
fice in Ljubljana. We did great things together, the membership grew, dr. Danica Purg, from IEDC, and late Mr. Janez Drnovšek, Prime Minister of Slovenia in 1992, supported our work through the Board of Advisers... So what I believe is that AIESEC definitely helped to develop my leadership skills. Moreover, nowadays values are so easy to talk about, but so hard to live. When I set up Mediade, my company, with a collegue of mine, we agreed that we do not want to develop a successful company in which families fall apart – we both had young children and families. Soon after the foundation, a prospective client invited us to make a presentation. The co-founder said to me: »Edita, on this very day my 3-years old daughter has her first public dance performance in kindergarden. If I don´t come, she will not forgive me…« How to answer? The client was important, and the values should be, too. I decided to write to the client and asked to adjust the time of our meeting due to unforeseen engagement. And believe me, I did not feel comfortable, sending this e-mail. In less than 3 minutes came the response that the new time proposed suits the management board even better. And even more: they suggested the meeting to take place in Ljubljana. So everything turned out great and values were lived, not only spoken, it made the founding team stronger. Trust and respect were enhanced and we also got the business. Today I am an alumnus of AIESEC Slovenia, which means, I am part of the group of people who, in the past, were active members of AIESEC in Slovenia. Above all, the most rewarding things are the long-lasting friendships. My generation of AIESECers: still meets, if not regularly, we are always happy to see each other. I see alumni in this respect: to help nurture these relationships and maybe establish opportunities for new creative initiatives, which is what I am doing now by contributing to this AIESEC Leadership Magazine project. The AIESEC philosophy and collaboration does not have to end with the end of the education cycle.
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Diaries - Matic Vošnjak
MATIC VOŠNJAK General Manager COMPETO
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joined AIESEC in November 1998. Within 18 months I was first elected local director of the Exchange programs and, shortly after, president of AIESEC in Slovenia. All together I was an active member of AIESEC for 2,5 years. I strongly believe that my involvement with AIESEC had greater impact on my career than even studies at the faculty. I still call AIESEC the best learning playground a student can get. We worked with many of Slovenia’s blue chip companies. We were able to learn from the best. To a certain extent we had a luxury to be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. As you develop your professional career there is no room for error. This is why I call AIESEC a playground. One of my most memorable experiences during the years I spent in AIESEC was executing my first seminars and trainings. For the first time in my life I had to speak in front of 650 people. I had to plan the budgets, financial revenues and cash flows. I developed from a team member to team leader, and later to organizational leader. This experience changed me, shaped me and prepared me for my professional career better than any class would. I was asked to say a few words about what makes a good leader. I have to say that different situations ask for different leadership styles. In my opinion there is not one common ground for all leaders. The key is emotional intelligence. By emotional intelligence I mean much needed self-awareness, empathy, motivation, social skills and self-control. Fortunately emotional intelligence can be
photo: personal archives
“My involvement with AIESEC had greater impact on my career than even studies at the faculty”
learnt and developed. A good leader also needs to be able take on responsibilities. Lack of responsibility is something I often find missing in managers. However, that would be a whole different article. I am now a general manager of the headhunting agency Competo. How did AIESEC help me be where I am? I can honestly say it was a changing point. Before AIESEC I had my professional life planned out in a very different direction. It did not just happen on its own, however, I wanted to take responsibility in AIESEC and I took it on. This is the only way to grow. What I got in return is priceless.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: What type of Leader are you?
What type of Leader are you? I
Instructions:
s it better to be a well rounded person, or be part of a well rounded team? The answer certainly depends on the situation, but folowing the philosophy of strengths, there are a few things you do uniquely and exceptionally better than others. While each person has their own unique strengths, we will help you to find out what is your type of leadership. We divided the personal leadership types into four domains based on the 34 Clifton Strengths Finder, and they are: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking.
1. Choose the top 5 strengths from the 34 Strengths Finder Themes you most identify with and live regularly. 2. Check under which types of leadership your strengths fall. If two or more of your “Top 5� lay within one of these categories, you are likely strongest in that particular leadership style
NOTES
Which is your leadership style?
THE 34 STRENGTHS FINDER THEMES
Achiever Activator Adaptability Analytical Arranger Belief Command Communication Competition Connectedness Consistency 10
Context Deliberative Developer Discipline Empathy Focus Futuristic Harmony Ideation Includer Individualization Input
Intellection Learner Maximizer Positivity Relator Responsibility Restorative Self-Assurance Significance Strategic Woo
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: What type of Leader are you?
illustration: Maša Kušar
INFLUENCING illustration: Maša Kušar
EXECUTING
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
STRATEGIC THINKING
Individuals with strategic thinking strengths essentially keep everyone focused on what could – and should – be done. They use information to help the team make informed decisions. They are the ones who pull the team into the future.
Achiever Arranger Belief Consistency Deliberative Discipline Focus Responsibility Restorative EXECUTING
YOU ARE:
Individuals with relationship building strengths are the ones that hold the team together. They take a group of individuals and create synergetic groups that work better together than they could apart.
illustration: Maša Kušar
Individuals with influencing strengths help their teams reach a broader audience. They are the sales people for a team’s idea. Not only that, they naturally tend to “own” the responsibility for getting the message across.
illustration: Maša Kušar
Ability to take an idea and transform it into reality within the organization they lead. Individuals with the majority of their strengths in the leadership style are adept of making things happen. They connect ideas easily and naturally make them a reality. They tend to be the ones who implement specific solutions.
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Adaptability Developer Connectedness Empathy Harmony Includer Individualization Positivity Relator
Activator Command Communication Competition Maximizer Self-Assurance Significance Woo
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
INFLUENCING
Analytical Context Futuristic Ideation Input Intellection Learner Strategic STRATEGIC THINKING
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Leadership the World Needs
Leadership the World Needs
“I am aware of what is going on in the world and enjoy taking an active role in contributing towards making it a better place for everyone.”
“I come up with solutions to challenges. I am flexible and I am always ready to take the necessary risks. Every time I fall I always stand back up.”
World Citizen – Believes in personal abilities to make a difference in the world Interested in world issues Enjoys taking responsibility in improving the world
Solution Driven - Adapts and shows resilience when facing challenges Transmits positivity to move forward throughout uncertainty Takes risks when it is needed
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IESEC presents itself by delivering a sustainable impact, in which through exchange it empowers the crosscultural understanding. In each experience members develop themselves by developing others. By going through an AIESEC experience – which might include team member and/or exchange experience- AIESEC develops change agents that aspire peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential. This vision was created after the Second World War, when the world was facing a cross-cultural missunderstanding. It is AIESEC’s aim to prevent that type of world revolutions’ to emerge again.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Leadership the World Needs
“I am able to communicate ideas clearly, engage in meaningful conversations with others, and co-create spaces of collaboration that empower
“I know what I am good at, what’s important to me, and what I am passionate about. I am constantly exploring what I want to achieve in my life.”
Empowering Others - Communicates effectively in diverse environments Develops and empowers other people Engages with others to achieve a bigger purpose
Self Aware – Understands and lives personal values Focuses on strengths over weaknesses Explores one’s passions
Currently the world is facing a decline trust in formal leaders and globalization and nationalism are growing. Thus uncertainty and complexity are features shaping our current society. AIESEC aims to develop world citizens who are, not only, self aware but also aware towards the need of empowering others and being solution driven. This is the type of leadership AIESEC creates.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends
World Economic Forum Agenda 2015 TOP 10 TRENDS OF 2015
illustration: Maša Kušar
DEEPENING INCOME INEQUALITY | PERSISTENT JOBLESS GROWTH | LACK OF LEADERSHIP | RISING GEOSTRATEGIC COMPETITION | WEAKENING OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY | RISING POLLUTION IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD | INCREASING OCCURRENCE OF SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS | GROWING IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN THE ECONOMY | INCREASING WATER STRESS | INTENSIFYING NATIONALISM
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: 2015 Trends in Slovenia
2015 in Slovenia NATIONAL OVERVIEW MARTA SILVA Marketing and Public Relations AIESEC Slovenia 2014/15
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ccording with the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2015 is being shaped by the 10 social trends worldwide. In Slovenia it is possible to point out lack of leadership as one of the most prevalent trends, mentioned by youth. But it is not the only one the weakening of representative democracy and persistent jobless growth are also some of the other trends that are progressively demanding our full attention. When looking at Slovenian political trends, society seems to have become apathetic. If not, let’s take a look at the numbers. According with IDEA.int, in the last elections of 2014, out of the 1,638 247 voting age citizens, only 54% decided to practice their civil duty of voting. Hence, this percentage of attendees to elections was the lower since Slovenia became an independent state. This seems to show that Slovenian society doesn’t believe that voting can help changing the direction the country is taking. It is evident that Slovenians are less connected with the Slovenian democracy and that the representative democracy, in the country, is getting weaker. This trend seems to be a symptom of the National disbelief towards the National leadership. After all, having the same faces applying to leadership roles year after year, seem not to give confidence enough to the people. “Different parties, the same output – Nothing ever changes except for the percentage of taxes we pay. That will always increase”, this is what many say, which is a good mirror of the state of the current civil society. In addition, the 12,5% of unemployed population strengthens the need that the country is presenting towards the empowerment of the individuals building their own futures. All in all, Slovenians seem to have fallen into a deep apa-
thy in which it is needed to shake the reality and bring change. But in fact, a Convenant for a better future 15/2020 was proposed by the Slovenian Association of Managers a year ago, raising the ambition that Slovenia will become one of the 15 most successful European countries by 2020. In order to help making this proposal real, there are many tools that youth can use to give its contribution. In fact, there are several organizations all around Slovenia that can aid people to (1) empower themselves, (2) find new goals, as well as, (3) new tools to achieve their personal goals. For example, Students organization of Slovenia (ŠOS) is an umbrella organization which aims to protect students’ rights and interests all over Slovenia. It includes ŠOU (Ljubljana), ŠOUP (Primorska), ŠOUM (Maribor) and ŠIS (representing general students’ clubs) and you students can whether be part of the organization or enjoy the organizations’ activities. Besides these there are also other organizations more connected with practical experiences of team work and project management such as AEGEE, BEST, IAESTE, ELSA and, of course, AIESEC. As an organization, for example, AIESEC aims to develop youth leadership potential through its membership and internships opportunities. This way, it empowers its stakeholders to be change agents, whether they are corporations, NGOs, schools or individuals, thus leading to a more understanding entrepreneur society. By learning by doing, young members or exchange participants develop a lot of other hard skills that might be useful during their professional experiences, thus becoming more competitive and attractive for employers. In addition the possible international environment allows people to become more critical and aware of what is happening abroad, which is always relevant to inspire the growth of new national entrepreneurship waves. Through the empowerment of individuals Slovenian society will become more reactive and less conformed, more determined to take action and to strive for winds of change and concrete improvements in the society. It is all here. Let´s just take advantage of it. Proactively. 15
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Women have a problem. But the solution as well.
“Women have a problem. But the solution as well.” NATAŠA TOVORNIK Coach & trainer, INSPIRIS d.o.o.
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ne day I overheard a CEO of a company talking to colleagues saying, “women have a problem as you have to take the time to bear children”. Out of the right context I know this sounds harsher than it was at that time. Still, a younger female fellow gasped in disapproval “a problem…”. It was clear that for her this was a politically incorrect and retrograde thought. For her this would also translate into “I will never work for you”. A potential problem for the CEO, and his company, since young women as these are definitely top talents to count on. Her reaction might have been over the top, yet it represents the struggles (young) women still face today in some environments. When I was leading a team of around 50 people, I definitely considered youth and gender key aspects when employing new colleagues, often in their favour. Yes, it is hard to wait for someone, for a year or more, if they just started to work independently. And if nothing else it is hard and a nuisance to find a replacement. So I understood the CEO quite well. On the other hand, when returning from maternity leave, these were some of the most engaged, loyal and productive employees I have ever had. Still, the word “problem” stayed with me. I am not the person who likes to see all problems as challenges. I like problems and I love solving them. Problems motivate me, so I started thinking… how can we turn this problem into an advantage for young female leaders. So after reflecting about this issue I identified these 3 leadership skills I developed or deepened when becoming a mum.
Inspire with your attitude Children mirror our behaviours. So if you are cranky they are, as well. They do not care if you have a valid rea-
son, if you slept enough or if you are sick. No one wants to have a cranky and whining baby or toddler. So you learn, that you acknowledge being sick, tired,… but that you do not get obsessed with it. You also learn to accept mistakes and setbacks, so for example, when they fall, you no longer make a worried face but encourage them with a smile to get up again. When you have a happy face, they do too. And guess what – with the adults is the same.
Negotiate a win-win When they get to toddler age, kids want to have a saying in a day-to-day life. You might not believe it, but so do adults at work. So from being the person who decides every small detail, you need to start looking for a consensus. My daughter soon started to negotiate. Even without knowing the numbers, she new pretty soon that 2 was more than 1, and that little is not as good as a lot. So it was no longer my decision of taking her to bed. Now she would negotiate to go to sleep and learning to let go and find a suitable solution becomes crucial. As it does in a working environment.
Empowering others When negotiating what she wanted, she usually did not consume all the negotiated bargain. She would not enjoy her conquests and say “ok, now I can go to bed”. This made me realize that it is not about how much she gets, but having the power to decide. She needed to be empowered and then she would cooperate. Imagine the wild results you would get if working like this in your teams at work? So from this perspective, a person gets trained in key leadership skills, the company does not pay for it as it would with an MBA studies (with similar long absence). When women return, after maternity leave, they are usually busy juggling work and family, so they stay loyal. As often, the problem is in the eyes of the beholder. If companies and leaders cannot use women’s specificities in their favour, than it is a loss for them. So who really has a problem? 17
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: How to turn ordinary people into Winners - The True Story
MANCA POLOVŠAK
T
he manager, coach and choreographer of the young Slovene dance club Formama, Nataša Potocnik, achieved something that seemed impossible at first glance. In three years time she lead a group of »ordinary mothers« to the pinnacle of the dance scene. They won the title of European champions and the title of world champions in the category Adult 2 show formation three times in a row! It made me wonder, what the formula for such success was. I ascertained that what counts most – and that may come as a surprise to some - is actually positive energy and love, and training too, of course.
Photo by Mateja Potocnik, Studio Forma
“How to turn ordinary people into Winners - The True Story”
Starting point for victory: quite ordinary people The group Formamas is part of the small but ambitious Slovene dance club Forma. The group consists of 24 dancers aged between 35 and 55 years. They are »average Slovene mothers« of various professions profiles and characters. Amongst them are careerists, directors and simple housewives, but all share the love for dancing and the motto »We’re having a good time«.
Phase two: competitive ambition First it was all about having fun and recreation, but soon Nataša, who just founded her dance studio, spotted potential. Thinking they had nothing to loose she suggested they should compete. And so they started with serious training. At first they decided, that everyone should work according to their capabilities, but commitment, trust and training soon showed results: first place at the national Championship, first place at the European Championship and qualifying for the world Championship. And ... the Slovene national anthem and victory at the world Championship. How did they do it?
Recipe for victory: heart, relationships and of 18
course training I can’t elicit an answer from Nataša. She says that she keeps encouraging her dancers and that she’s strict when necessary. Yet she still allows for some fun, since she’s aware of the fact, that good relationships within the group are
paramount for success. »Everyone can voice their opinion and is heard, at the same time everyone knows how to subordinate themselves to the group. They even subordinate themselves when it comes to costumes. Notwithstanding that some are bigger and some are thinner, they quickly reach an agreement.« Nataša continues, that they don’t worry about mistakes or results: »The main prize is that they went on a trip together and that they’re having fun. They are not ashamed of their mistakes and never hold them against each other, they even joke about them.« I keep asking what the essence of success is. There are countless anecdotes from their competitions. The
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: How to turn ordinary people into Winners - The True Story
funniest one is about Formamas being late on stage at the national Championship. Suddenly they heard their music and rushed to the stage half dressed. Only ten dancers started the choreography and the others joined in during the act. Nevertheless they finished the performance successfully and with positive energy. They proved that they regard competitions as fun at their
and happiness when, after countless tries, an element finally succeeds. You can see the true suffering on the faces of the dancers, when they are executing strength and elasticity exercises, when they are overcoming themselves and gathering their last atoms of strength to get the moves right. Most notable is the disappointment and despair of those, who don’t reach the level of the best, in spite of hard work. Yet you can also see the discipline and personal growth every dancer attains. And after scoring a success you see genuine happiness and pride.
If you’re good, everything else disappears If a dancer is really good, all of that disappears on stage. You enjoy being on stage, entertain the audience and create lightness with your moves. That’s why the dance group Formamas is receiving even more admiration. Watching a performance by Formamas I totally forget that each appearance requires many hours of training and constant renouncements – i simply get carried away by their story. In an instant they forget about all the efforts that they invested and dance with their heart and soul and immensely enjoy themselves. It looks like success came totally unexpected, unplanned and by the way. And this is what makes them special, what makes them stand out ouf their competitors and leads them to the top. first world Championship, when they partied all night long the night before their appearance on stage.
Behind lightness lies effort Because I can’t elicit the answer from Nataša, I do my own research. I watch a video. Watching the ease of the Formama dancers and their simplicity I totally forget that the path of each dancer is strenuous and full of sacrifices and mixed feelings. There are times when dance is your only satisfaction and consolation and times when you hate it immensely. It is a team activity, nevertheless you’re alone. Each dancer is an independent part of the group and progress depends on each individual. Dance seems gentle, beautiful and fun to the spectator, but for the dancer it’s precisely the opposite. Behind lightness lies effort and behind all beauty lies lots of suffering and sacrifices. The periods before competitions are especially stressful. You can see all emotions present. You feel the anger of those, who are renouncing everything else because of the competition, and are totally focused on success. You can see sincere pride
Formula for victory The formula for victory was entrusted to Nataša by her landlord when she moved into the current premises of the dance club Forma and she sticks to them till today. »A good idea, persistence, and modesty are paramount. A good idea for the choreography, persistence on the way to reaching your goals and working for your own satisfaction, not just for results« says Nataša. She continues, that the support of their families and the magical energy that connects the whole club are equally important. She is proud of the fact, that the dance club Forma is known for its good relationships, positive energy and the fact that all dancers have the opportunity to proove themselves. Above all results are never paramount, what counts is their motto »We’re having a good time«. Or with other words
Genuine belief in what we beieve in – that’s what’s winning and makes great leaders out of ordinary people. 19
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Faces of the future
illustration: Andreja Koblar
Faces of the future: Awakening of enthusiasm
MAJA PODGORŠEK AND TADEJA ROŽMAN Gimnazija Škofja Loka, 12th March 2015, Published in Dnevnik
What would the sky be like, if the aurora light would flood it in all its width? Our sky is school. Our light is education. The conversion of a light show into thin, barely seen, bundles. Three-fifths of professors do not have authority and, even less, are able to grab the students’ attention. Does youth go to school, only because of lunch time? Does the lack of interest in studying chemistry, or electrical engineering, truly lies only in high school students? What if we proved to the world that a good lecturer is an artist 20
and not a slave of an unmotivated audience, what the new age professors are trying to convince us about. With the successes of Tina Maze, Peter Prevec or Matej Mohorčič, Slovenia is becoming an Olimp of top athletes. This is also clear when looking at schools’ gradebook where each fourth student in a class has a status of promising athlete. While the relevance of sports is on the rise in Slovenian society, the virtues of other professions are kept on the background. Among the most neglected ones are literary artists, which with the royalties of their work cannot even cover their basic expenses. Not to mention the notoriety that media give to trivial roles, thus contributing to the continuous decrease of intellectual talents year after year. Cynics would say, that our literature stopped somewhere in realism, together with Tavčar. But it is better to believe Hellen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Faces of the future
world can not be seen or even touched”. Nowadays, there are more masters’ graduating and becoming teachers without any proper induction on pedagogy. People, who under normal conditions would never choose to be professor, are now finding themselves in this role. Based on your attitude towards the subject, they can deprive you from passing a school year, especially if they like to attack active participation that for them came at the wrong time. But according to companies like Google, Apple, Wickt, that are famous for their flexible schedules we can identify that looking after your team’s well being, more than any rooted frames, actually ensures success and high performance at work.
We think that successful high school students should be allowed to live under the name that they earned. If we wanted to see the light, we would take off the sunglasses. The same is with education. If we want for it to be interesting, first we need to get rid of unnecessary restrictions. If we wanted to see the light, we would take off the sunglasses. The same is with education. This contribution was formed under the project “Obrazi prihodnosti” (Faces of the future), a series of journalist workshops organized by Dnevnik, in which young journalists from high schools all over Slovenia participated.
Dressage is becoming a national value, where everything is based on how much a person can take, without resisting or rebelling. In the school system, it is used as the foundation of education, as it is much easier to monitor the volume of the mechanical grown children, that perceive the teacher standing before them, as a God, as opposed to a group, which in discussion about exclusive views is trying to find the right one. “They are injecting us with knowledge, without having some sort of meaning behind it”. This is the main thought of high school students, which are forced to learn by heart all the historical dates of the past 30 years. Intellectuals already in school are called nerds, a pretty offensive name. Nerds as such, someone who can learn mechanics without much effort, should lift themselves out of dressage and should be successful only on compact educational field, where this phenomenon prevails. Nevertheless, outstanding achievements in school tests, ranking podiums at competitions, landing in high places in national Olympiads tell us the contrary. This contrasts with jealous individuals, who are convinced that they will get high grades and whom condemn nerds because they “don’t have a personal life and spend entire days with underlined notes and worn out pens”. As Johann Fischart would say “Work and future are like wings that allow you to fly over rivers and mountains”. Someday the so-called nerds will occupy an important job position, and we will look at them and envy them. Again. 21
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: In the end it all depends on people
photo: Aleš Beno/Finance
In the end, it all depends on people launch new products. How fast we adapt the products to each market and, after the launch. In this respect, marketing and sales activities are the key, as well as flexible production enabling fast and high quality manufacture. The other success factor from which Krka differs from many other generic pharmaceutical producers is the vertically integrated business model with which we develop a product and ensure quality production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the finished product. Of course, in the end it all depends on the people, their motivation, professional skills and company loyalty.
What are the special features of Krka’s human resources? Krka’s success is based in all Krka employees. Teamwork is definitely the key to our success. The Krka’s leaders achieve results with the help of their team and they know how to lead their team and make other employees enthusiastic. They need to be goal-oriented and optimistic about achieving business objectives. This is true for leaders and team members, who are just as important for an effective delivery of business processes, as the leaders.
JOŽE COLARIC CEO KRKA
K
What is, in your perspective, the impact that having talented leaders in your HR can bring to your company?
rka d.d. is a Slovenian pharmaceutical company which is a true symbol of National success. KRKA is now selling in more than 70 countries around the world and its positioning is growing internationally. This extraordinary Slovenian corporation is being led by Jože Colaric, a Slovenian economist who joined KRKA in 1982 and made his way up to the Presidency. In the next lines you will know a bit more about who is Jože and how important is the people for such a corporation.
Leadership requires a clear vision and company strategy, but what is even more important is that the employees are able to embrace this vision as their own. Special care and work with key and promising employees provide the conditions for broadening experiences as a result of new ideas. This is fostered by the Krka International Leadership School. Krka’s leaders are good decision-makers, negotiators and team leaders. They are familiar with their leadership skills and brave enough to take decisions in challenging conditions.
What are the things that make Krka such a successful and unique Slovenian corporation?
What was your biggest achievement until today? What did you learn with it?
Our main competitive advantage is definitely speed and flexibility, which are two of our principle values. By speed I mean the speed with which we develop and 22
One of my most important achievements is definitely my employment at Krka where every day my colleagues and I strive to achieve the best results possible. Krka
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: In the end it all depends on people
has grown from being a small laboratory in the 1950s to a large company. During these 60 years the number of employees has grown from 9 to over 10,000, which says a lot about Krka’s development. Throughout these decades, including the last one when the company has been under my management, we have been driven by common values, the right vision and strategy. In Krka we believe that these are the right foundations for future decades. If we work well we will do something for ourselves and for the company.
“What can the social institutions in Slovenia, and the corporate market, do to address the tensions raising from the youth unemployment?”
What would you recommend to a young future employee to do in order to develop its leadership potential?
According with World Economic Forum 2015 will be marked by a raising of geostrategic competition. As a representative of a company that strives to have good relationships with key markets such as Russia, how do you evaluate this issue?
To be fast, resourceful, adaptable and always in action. It is important to be goal-oriented and optimistic about achieving business objectives. Increased business dynamics requires an individual to have a high level of selfconfidence. Characteristics that contribute to success are also persistence, collaboration and excellence in communication, innovation and loyalty. Being inquisitive also contributes to a person’s growth on a personal and business level
Which recommendation would you give to young Slovenian entrepreneurs? The combination of knowledge and hard work is the recipe for anyone. By knowledge I mean knowledge in the broadest sense of the word – not only professional knowledge, but also knowledge on how to properly communicate with your colleagues, partners, on what is the correct attitude towards buyers who are key to the success of the company. Success of an individual and of a company depends especially on the execution, not only on the idea.
How do you manage to inspire your teams? Do you have any peculiar tricks you’d like to share?
We should be bolder in assessing the long-term needs of scientific, technical, and humanistic markets. The adjustment of enrolment policies might be a good way to all of those entities to discuss openly about this issue. The quality of the education system is the key for the success and effectiveness of the economy and social progress.
In Krka we work towards building our presence in as many markets as possible with the widest possible range of medicines. This represents a competitive advantage in controlling the challenging situation in some parts of the world. The Russian Federation might be Krka’s largest individual market, but Krka has strengthened its position in other parts of the world as well. Today we sell our products in more than 70 countries around the world. Exports represent over 94% of total sales of the Krka Group. We have a strong network of companies and representative companies abroad. We have considerably increased our marketing and sales activities in western Europe, where we started our business activities 17 years ago. Krka has become more relevant such markets in 2004 when Slovenia became a EU member. In western Europe we currently have companies in Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Finland. The pharmaceutical industry has potential all around the world, so all markets are important for us; the ones in which we currently operate and the ones in which we are looking for new opportunities
Leadership is working with people, so as leaders we instil self-confidence and direct. Here the key is not only to delegate but also to be consistent in delivery of the tasks and responsibilities you have accepted. People like to follow good examples and reliability in terms of actually doing what you’ve promised is important. Also, besides trying to develop yourself, make sure you empower your team.
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AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Inspiring Youngsters
“We shouldn’t be satisfied with being average”
photo: Marta Silva
and I’m currently leading a project where we created a wireless keyboard that doesn’t need to be charged. [A]: My name is Angel, I’m 17 years old, also a high school student. I started working on my first project in February this year where we’re developing a sort of air conditioning.
PETER JAMNIK ANŽE ALIC High School Entrepreneurs written by DITA VANIA
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ow many people can say that they have the experience of establishing and operating their own business before the age of 20? Well, Peter Jamnik (18) and Anže Alic (17) are two teenagers able to include themselves in that category. The two schoolmates got into the start-up world through a program in their high school focusing on developing entrepreneurship skills delivered by a start-up business called Ustvarjalnika. Driven by passion for what they do and the ambition to succeed, these two dared to stand out from the crowd and worked hard on making their dreams a reality through this program, despite challenges they faced along the way. Let’s start with a brief presentation of yourselves and the projects you guys are currently working on. [P]: My name is Peter, I’m 18 years old. I’m a high school student here in Slovenia and I started my first project when I was 13 years old. I have two projects behind me 24
“It’s being able to go to sleep knowing that I did something good and productive with my day as well as having a reason to wake up every day” – Angel How did all of this get started for you? [P]: I think that we shouldn’t be satisfied with being average, we shouldn’t just follow all the rules, but should try to improve things. So, I kept working on these projects. [A]: Well, I had too much time on my hand and I wasn’t being productive with it. Then I got inspired by Peter when he started his project to work on his idea. For you, what is the best part of deciding to build your own future and having your own start-up project? [P]: I think it’s getting to know people who think the same way as you do. For example, in school, a lot of people are negative and think that things can’t be achieved or changed, but when you meet other people in this start up network (for example in conferences), they think differently and try to achieve their goals despite challenges. So you feel that you have like-minded people who support your ideas, what about for you personally, what is the best part of it for you? [P]: For me it’s about being able to solve problems that we face as well as being able to coach, inspire, and impact others. [A]: For me it’s being able to go to sleep knowing that I did something good and productive with my day as well as having a reason to wake up every day. What have been the major challenges for you in mak-
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: Inspiring Youngsters
ing your ideas real? [P]: Getting the first step started and finding the right people to join the team. Once you find the right people on your team, it’s easier and you just go step by step. [A]: Yeah, I think the hardest part is finding a good team because you need to have team mates who you can work with and be friends with. The other thing is the ability to think and go out of the box, to go out and ask others for feedback on your ideas as well as not being afraid to go out. What do you think are the skills needed in order to push through with your ideas and make it happen? [P]: You don’t have to be afraid, you just need to do it and face the challenges. “One man can do many things, but he can’t do everything”, Peter Would you consider leadership another key skill in achieving your goals? If yes, why? [P]: Yeah, definitely. You need to have someone like that in the team, who can guide, manage, and push the team. So in all your projects, there’s always a leader who provides the vision and guides the team, right? Would you consider yourselves as that person? [P]: Yes (chuckles). Would you say that in order to start your project you need to be solution oriented? [P]: I think so. I mean, it’s about solving problems around us, so yes, you need to be able to come up with solutions and improve on past solutions that have been made before. There are a lot of solutions, you just need to find the best one.
educated, now we just need to use that knowledge. What are the key things, in your opinion, that young people and students need to know or be aware of to avoid falling into this apathy and being content with whatever they have? [P]: To not listen to conventional advices that parents give you: to “go after a degree through education and then you will get a job because you have a degree”. Because of this, young people tend to wait until they find a job. In the meantime, things have changed and now it’s more difficult to find jobs, so young people, they have to create them. Peter, we know that you have had an international experience abroad. What was the value of going abroad for you? [P]: Meeting people from the other side of the world. During my experience in the U.S., I met much more open-minded people who would talk to me about anything, anytime, anywhere. “I have also a few idols, like Steve Jobs, because he did some crazy stuff out there” Where do you see yourself in 10 years? [P]: For me, I want to be abroad, probably somewhere around San Francisco and also have my own company, to solve as many problems as we can. [A]: I want to be successful, when I get my own company running. What message would you like to leave for other Slovenian young people/students out there? [P]: I would say go out and try things, don’t just sit around, wait, read books, and listen to parents. [A]: I would say just do it.
“Things have changed and now it’s more difficult to find jobs, so young people, they have to create them” Considering all the privileges of being a student in Slovenia, do you think that it might cause a certain level of apathy and less desire for young people to be ambitious? [P]: Yeah of course, this is the negative side of it all. We are not really aware of the realities happening in the world outside and we need to start being more aware. [A]: I understand that we should be building our own future and going out there. As Peter said, we are highly 25
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
photo: SUMMIT 100, 2015
100 CEOs and Politicians together, improving Southeastern Europe
MARTA SILVA Marketing and Public Relations AIESEC Slovenia 2014/15
T
he Summit100 happened during the last 1st and 2nd of June in Piran. It gathered in the same place the leading representatives of key managerial associations of each of the regional countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, etc), including members of over 100 leading businesses in the region. “What will you, as managers of your companies, do to
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change the current reality and mindsets?” this was the question that Peter Kraljic (McKinsey Advisory Board and IEDC-Bled School of Management, Slovenia) decided to use in the opening of the “Young Leaders of the Region’s Tomorrow” discussion panel, during Summit 100. This panel covered the role of corporations, their leaders and youngsters’ in the inclusion of the last group in the work force of the Central Eastern European (CEE) economies. It was a good introduction to this problematic that many are facing. A special attention was paid to the understanding that each party has of its own role. When analyzing Slovenian reality, the lack of positioning of the Slovenian market, externally, was a relevant point
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: SUMMIT 100
looking at the pessimistic and, somehow, apathetic state in which Slovenia is submerged. “It is extremely important that young managers take part in such meetings at which the leading names of the region meet to discuss the future of the region”, said the President of the Section of Young Managers of the Managers’ Association of Slovenia, Tjaša Kolenc Filipcic. “The issue of talent management is just one aspect that we could use to our economic advantage,” suggested Kolenc Filipcic.
The issue of talent management is just one aspect that we could use to our economic advantage. photo: SUMMIT 100, 2015
mentioned. Changing this paradigm is up to a national movement, movement that should be pioneered by the leaders. The current reality is asking for new leaders who have a different set of values, such as individual’s empowerment and taking action. Mr Janko Medja, CEO of Nova Ljubljanska Banka, went a bit further mentioning that the current society structure is the one demotivating and pushing the young entrepreneurial breeze away, by always addressing these issues under a pessimistic outlook. For Mr Medja, the only thing that should takes to launch successful start ups or initiatives is to actually take action and just trying to do it. Nevertheless, Slovenia has faced a weak pipeline of leadership and its impact is now uncovered when
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Powered by
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Pitch Off is an event that aims to empower Slovenian youth towards the art of attracting companies to their profiles. It was delivered by AIESEC Slovenia hosted in the Faculty of Economics, of Ljubljana’s University. Participants were guided through a series of techniques and approaches that helped them define which sectors are their target markets, what is their added value and how can they translate your experiences into numbers. The first edition of this event had the participation of 20 individuals and it was sponsored by Moje Delo and DATA. 30
AIESEC Leadership Magazine: My steps to leadership
My steps to leadership
AIESEC Partners
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