In today’s fast-changing business world, what does it take to become a successful leader? For many of us, current and future EMMIE students, industry professionals, and business people, this question is at the core of our ambitions. During a recent guest lecture at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, Lada Tedeschi Fiorio, Group Vice President for Strategy, Business Development, and Growth at Atlantic Grupa, provided some answers from her own leadership experience.
Lada didn’t just talk about leadership in the usual sense. She dived deep into what it takes to lead with intelligence, empathy, and innovation, and introduced us to the concept of four types of intelligence essential to leadership: the Thinker, the Warrior, the Lover, and the Dreamer. These archetypes reflect different aspects of a leader’s mindset: analytical, action-oriented, empathetic, and visionary. Throughout her career, Lada shared how balancing some of these archetypes has helped her succeed and continue her journey of constant development.
What truly made Lada’s lecture memorable was her honesty. She didn’t just talk about success. She talked about the challenges she faced along the way, particularly as a woman in a high-level corporate role. It was inspiring to hear her admit that, even now, she’s still learning to be a leader.
Despite her achievements, Lada is also working on managing her own expectations and avoiding the trap of perfectionism. Her advice was simple but powerful: “Every step counts.” It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making consistent progress. For EMMIE students, whether we’re launching a new venture or making a career shift, this lesson is especially relevant. Sometimes, the pressure to excel can feel overwhelming. Lada’s message reminded us that self-compassion and incremental growth are just as important as ambition.
One of Lada’s key messages was about innovation. She explained that innovation isn’t just connected with business. but it’s about constantly evolving in your personal life, too. True leaders innovate their lives – they challenge their own thinking, push themselves, and never settle in their comfort zone.
But innovation must be paired with empathy. Lada emphasized that caring for the people around you is essential for long-term success. She credited her strong relationship with her mother as the foundation of her empathetic leadership style. In today’s business world, emotional intelligence and agility are crucial, as leaders who innovate but also lead with empathy are the ones who will truly make an impact.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is an ongoing process of learning and self-reflection. It’s not just about rising through the ranks or achieving success, it’s about constant growth, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support, and love you.
For EMMIE students, this was a powerful moment. Listening to this speech, I realized how our program isn’t just about teaching us business skills, but it’s about shaping us into leaders who can adapt, innovate, and lead with heart. There’s one takeaway that’s clear: leadership is a journey, and it starts with understanding yourself and growing from there.
And remember that every step counts.
Aisulu Ryspaeva
