Kruna Gavović, CEO at the Lean Six Sigma Company CEE and Marketing and Academy Manager at TMS CEE

Business Happiness Lives Within Us

KRUNA GAVOVIĆ, CEO at the Lean Six Sigma Company CEE and Marketing and Academy Manager at TMS CEE

Kruna Gavović has been recognised as one of the best young managers due to her engagements with the TMS brand and The Lean Six Sigma Company. Since she was a child, she has practised visualising her future life and seeing herself clearly over the years. She is simply a natural leader

You are very young, yet you already have a family and responsible jobs at two companies. How did you achieve all that?

I lived in my hometown Krusevac until I went to University. In my mind, I could do nothing other than give back for all the love and education my family had invested in me. I was always very ambitious and determined. Since I was a child, I have visualised my future life and seen myself clearly over the years. I completed university at 23 and gave birth to my daughter at 26. In order to achieve a work-life balance, I maintain my positive energy through constant investments in myself: spending time with family and friends, investing in my health, nourishing my mind and body, sleeping well, exercising regularly and expanding my network. But the most important role in my life is that of a mother, and I want my daughter to have the best possible example at home, to be surrounded with true values and healthy ambition, and to understand that all the happiness we seek in the world can already be found within ourselves.

What motivates you to move forward?

I am motivated by the constant search for knowledge. I enjoy listening and lear-

When we understand that the purpose of life is not happiness, but rather growth and experience, happiness comes as a byproduct

ning, rather than talking. Talk to me and I’m all ears. This willingness to learn is born of my desire to develop skills and gain knowledge to improve my performance at work. This shows to our working environment, but also to our clients, that we are long-term investments, while it also builds trust. In order to build trust, we should also make our decisions carefully, communicate properly, be consistent in our actions, share our feelings openly, apologise when we are wrong and show our authentic selves. Last, but not least, is expanding my network. I love to meet new people and to see the best in them, and I love to be impressed – not by their appearance, job title or social status, but by the way that people treat other human beings. Every time we meet someone is an opportunity for us to learn something new. We should always try to seek only the best in people and adapt to every situation. There is no failure in life, just the opportunities for growth. As one wise person told me recently: “In the end everything will be fine. If it is not fine, it still is not the end”. When we understand that the purpose of life is not happiness, but rather growth and experience, happiness comes as a byproduct.

How important is it that a woman doesn’t forget herself?

The crucial thing for a woman is to set a routine. Maybe it doesn’t sound exciting when I say “a routine”, but that definitely leads to a balanced life. We need an aspiration list and to develop daily habits to achieve our goals. We must identify our core values, but also know when to stop. It is vital to know when we feel most like ourselves. To me, little moments make special feelings, like a comfortable silence, seeing happiness in people, a long ride to an unknown destination, blooming flowers, the sun on my face, seeing the good in people, meaningful conversations. People usually ask me where I find so much joy. It doesn’t depend on what happens or what I receive from others. I find my biggest joy in giving.