A Successful Leader Leaves Behind a Happy and Thriving Team
“A leader must lead by example, be competent, dedicated, and fully engaged in what they do. That sends a powerful signal that inspires others.”
For Zlatko Granik, Global Vice President of Software Engineering at SAP, the COTRUGLI MBA program wasn’t just an opportunity to learn; it was a turning point where he began to see the bigger picture of his career and leadership skills. “Before COTRUGLI, I was more focused on technical, engineering decisions. I viewed everything through a technical lens – the goal was to create the perfect product to bring to market. During the program, I started developing a broader perspective: I realized it’s not just about having the best product, but about the entire network of people and partners who need to do their part to ensure the product reaches the customer and delivers results.”
From Technical Expert to Visionary Leader
During the program, Zlatko discovered how much interpersonal and leadership skills influence success. “Today, the focus is less on technical decisions and more on relationships, planning, strategy, and the vision for our products. It’s increasingly business-oriented – the goal is to create real value for the client through sound technical decisions. The development path is currently somewhat challenging because the development center in Serbia is still relatively small, and we’re not part of the EU. But our goal is to show that there is a wealth of talented and capable people here who can create top-quality products. In the end, it’s not about quantity but quality.”
Experiences That Shape a Leader
Reflecting on the experiences that shaped him, Zlatko says: “I’ve been shaped by many things, from an early competitive spirit to later business experiences. During my education, I learned to make good decisions and set an example for others. My parents ran their own business and showed me the importance of making objective decisions. When I became a leader, I regularly held one-on-one meetings with team members. We’d talk about what they liked that I should continue doing and what I should change. That approach greatly contributes to a culture of open feedback.”
Lessons for His Younger Self and the Definition of Leadership
Zlatko emphasizes the importance of professional relationships and open communication. “One lesson I’d tell my younger self is: don’t close doors. Professional relationships are worth maintaining because they mean a lot throughout your career. Today, I know I would have tried to repair some relationships earlier.”
For him, a true leader is someone who inspires by example. “A successful leader is someone who turns around and sees a happy, thriving team following them. A leader must lead by example, be competent, dedicated, and fully engaged in what they do. That sends a powerful signal that inspires others.”
