Domen Copič

For Domen Copič, enrolling in an MBA program was far more than an academic decision; it marked the beginning of a profound personal and professional transformation.

Looking back, Domen has talked about the impact of the MBA and whether MBA changed his life and career.
“Absolutely, it did,” he says. “Even the decision to start an MBA was already the beginning of change. In many ways, that step was harder than completing it.”

Although it took him time to finish the program, with the final exams delayed for a while, Domen sees the experience as overwhelmingly positive.
“MBA opens your horizons. It gives you a strategic overview. Many people are very narrowly focused on their daily tasks, but the MBA lifts you — like seeing things from a helicopter — and suddenly you understand the broader picture.”

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

At the time he enrolled, Domen felt professionally stuck. “I was doing the same things over and over again. I needed a push out of my comfort zone, not necessarily career-wise, but knowledge-wise,” he explains.

What also influenced his decision was observing colleagues who had completed an MBA. “They had a broader perspective. They seemed wiser, more motivated. That really stayed with me.” The program ultimately met and justified his expectations.

Learning Beyond the Curriculum

When asked which modules left the strongest impression, Domen finds it hard to single out just one. “HR was the first that came to mind. Anything taught by Anthony J. Evans was excellent. And the personal development module with Mike George was incredibly valuable. Personal awareness is often underestimated.”

Finance, too, played an important role, but for Domen, the true value of the MBA extended beyond the classroom. “The most beautiful memory is the people. The MBA facilitates your growth through its participants. Learning from others’ experiences is the most valuable asset you take away.”

Balancing Intensity and Connection

Travelling from Slovenia to Zagreb and balancing work, private life, and intensive MBA weekends was no small challenge. “The weekends were exhausting. You’d finish an intense module and immediately face a full working week,” Domen recalls. Yet, those longer residential modules away from the city stood out as especially meaningful. “That’s where real connections happened. Going out, talking, spending time together — that’s when the network truly forms.”

Leadership, Communication, and Perspective

Although Domen did not pursue direct business deals with fellow participants, the MBA reshaped how he thinks about leadership and communication.

“One of the biggest challenges after the MBA was communicating my broader perspective to people who hadn’t gone through the same experience. My horizon had expanded, but not everyone around me shared that view.”

For future Executive MBA generations, Domen believes topics such as artificial intelligence, cross-cultural understanding, creativity, and advanced communication skills will be essential.

What Makes a Successful Leader?

For Domen, leadership is deeply personal. “A successful leaders are is at peace with themselves first. Acceptance of oneself is the foundation.”

Equally important is leading by example. “A leader shows the way and says: ‘This is where we’re going, let me show you how.’ That combination is rare.”

His advice to first-time leaders is simple yet powerful: “Listen; with your head, your ears, and your heart. Have the courage to make mistakes and admit them. And be consistent, you can’t preach one thing and act differently.”

MBA as an Investment in Yourself

To anyone considering an MBA, Domen’s advice is clear: “Go for it. But do it with the right motivation.”

He strongly believes education should be viewed as an investment, not a cost.
“I’ve never heard anyone say they regret investing in themselves. You may regret buying a car, but investing in your knowledge pays off long-term.”

For Domen Copič, the MBA was not just about career progression. It was about awareness, perspective, and learning how to lead — not from authority, but from understanding.