Domagoj Bešlić

For Domagoj Bešlić, Marketing & Beverage Portfolio Director for the Adria region at Obala Group, professional growth has never been a linear path but rather a process of continuous learning, adaptation, and broadening perspectives.

“When I enrolled in COTRUGLI, I was at a crossroads in my career. I wouldn’t say I was at the beginning, but I was just stepping into a more serious managerial role. Up until then, I had built my career on intuition and instinct, without a broader business context. COTRUGLI gave me exactly that – a bigger picture and an understanding of where I stood and what opportunities lay ahead.”

He adds that the community he encountered there was just as important as the knowledge he gained.

“I had colleagues and friends in similar career phases, but COTRUGLI was the first time I had the opportunity to meet people from different industries and sectors. Through them, new horizons opened up for me, new ways of working, different career paths, and perspectives I hadn’t been aware of before. The atmosphere, the people, and the sense of community were just as valuable as the modules themselves.”

Career Milestones and Applying Knowledge in Practice

During the MBA program, Domagoj experienced a significant professional leap, transitioning to Coca-Cola, which he sees as a natural progression in his development. “During my studies, I made a big leap. My new role and responsibilities at Coca-Cola coincided with the modules we were covering at COTRUGLI, so I was able to apply everything immediately in practice. That gave me additional confidence and structure in decision-making.”

A few years later, another step followed – joining IKEA as a Market Sales Manager.

“IKEA was a completely different business environment, and I worked on many things I hadn’t done before. But what helped me immensely was that I had already covered most of these topics at COTRUGLI, through modules and case studies. I entered the new role with solid prior knowledge and strong connections, which allowed me to adapt quickly and focus on development.”

Returning to FMCG and His Current Role

After his experience in retail, Domagoj returned to the FMCG sector, which he describes as a more natural environment for him.

“Returning to FMCG and now working at Obala Group, I can say I’m doing a job I love and enjoy. All the knowledge and experience I’ve gained across different industries now help me be more effective and flexible in my daily work.”

Leadership in Times of Uncertainty

Reflecting on leadership today, Domagoj emphasizes that recent years have significantly changed how leaders need to think and act.

“In the past few years, we’ve all faced challenges the market hadn’t seen in decades, starting with the pandemic. Consumer behaviors, customer expectations, and market dynamics have all changed. In such times, the most important thing is to be agile, resilient, and ready to embrace change. For me, a sustainable and successful business is only possible if people, culture, and results are developed simultaneously. One cannot function without the other.”

He believes that a leader doesn’t need to have all the answers but must have the right mindset:

“We can’t always change circumstances, but we can change how we approach them. A leader today must know how to listen, adapt, and guide people through change, not against it.”

People, Mentorship, and Personal Lessons

Like many leaders, Domagoj highlights that his most significant learning experiences have come from working with people, both positive and challenging ones.

“One of the people who shaped me the most was a superior with whom I had the most challenges collaborating. Through that experience, I realized how little it takes to demotivate someone and how small adjustments in leadership style can make a huge difference. It was one of the most professionally demanding but also most educational experiences in my career.”

On the other hand, positive examples showed him the power of inclusive leadership.

“I also had a superior who was open to questioning, different opinions, and constructive dialogue. That’s when I realized that hierarchy doesn’t mean someone is always right, but that the best ideas come when everyone is involved. I believe a leader’s role is to create an environment where people can make decisions, grow, and take responsibility, not just execute tasks.”

He sees mentorship as a natural extension of this approach.

“I love learning, but I equally enjoy sharing knowledge and experience. If it can help someone at a certain stage of their professional development, I’m more than happy to contribute. In my view, a true leader creates new leaders.”

Vision, Integrity, and a Message to Future Leaders

Finally, Domagoj emphasizes the importance of long-term vision and personal integrity.

“Looking back, I realize that the most important lessons came when I stopped looking for quick answers and started asking better questions. Believe in yourself, be persistent, and have a clear vision of where you want to go. A successful leader is someone with integrity who understands their purpose and listens to the people they work with. And perhaps most importantly, never stop learning and developing, as that is the foundation of any long-term progress. Leaders who manage to connect results, culture, and purpose today will be the ones shaping the organizations of the future.”