Organized by the student union eStudent, a lecture titled „Women Leaders“was held on March 8, at the University of Economy in Zagreb. Gordana Kovačević, the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, presented her experience of being at the head of the leading Croatian company of knowledge. The executive vice president of Agrokor, Ljerka Puljić as well as by Sandra Švaljek, the principal of the Institute of Economy in Zagreb addressed the large audience that consisted of students and professors of the university.

In order to encourage young people, especially women, to persist in creating new values and to use the competences and skills to answer readily to the challenges of the modern business world, the presenters answered the question what makes a woman leader. The answers were based on their own careers. 

As of Gordana Kovačević, a leader is a person of competences and skills, and resoluteness as well, to manage and lead teams to the successful realization of set goals. At the same time, a leader shall route and adjust the business organization towards growth and development, thus creating encouraging and innovative company culture.

“Regardless of the position I was appointed to during my career, I have always struggled to surround myself with the top quality associates. The results at the end of a day are to determine who leads the company today, and who will do it tomorrow.” said Gordana Kovačević, and added that she hopes that her example will pass the message that women can be also successful in a male environment as ICT sector is. Besides presenting key points of her own career, the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla reviewed the current situation in which young people find themselves while building a career. As she explains, creative capabilities of young people shall be used to the full extent, and they shall be given responsibility and a chance to prove them. With that, it is important to show both to young people and to the public in general, the way real values are lived, and what is a real responsible business performance and behavior. 

Sandra Švaljek reminded the audience of the importance to set a distance from the handicap, sex and other imposed frames. “Perseverance, work and efforts are of utmost importance, but the key issue is to recognize a chance and be brave to seize a challenge “, explained Ms Švaljek. Such an approach was supported by Ljerka Puljić, who also underlined that, sometimes, women lack a courage to accept new roles. They all expressed hope that new generations of educated young people will bring along new trends and relations in a society.

Ericsson Nikola Tesla Company Communications