A Leadership Approach Built on People, Digitalization, and Continuous Growth
“A successful leader never stops working on their knowledge, skills, and values. Development doesn’t end when you graduate or get a position—that’s only the beginning.”
Goran Ivanković, Supply Chain Manager at NIDEC Group and alumnus of the 10th generation of the COTRUGLI MBA program, describes his career as a journey from an operational focus to strategic leadership. Before the MBA program, his work was largely technical: procurement, logistics, and supply chain, without deeper reflection on the broader business impact. The turning point came with COTRUGLI, which enabled him to see how different parts of a company work together and how his team contributes to the financial and strategic business results.
“The most valuable thing I gained through COTRUGLI was a shift in mindset and a broadened perspective,” says Goran. The Financial Management module was particularly important to him. Through it, he learned to “read” financial reports and understand how operational work affects company performance. This knowledge allows him, as a manager today, to make more thoughtful decisions and create an environment where his team understands the bigger business picture.
For Goran, leadership starts with people. “People create processes, build team culture, and set the foundation for daily business. That’s why my focus is on building a team that is functional, motivated, and aware of its importance within the organization.” He strives to share the company’s broader vision with every team member and explain how their work contributes to the overall picture—from efficiency to profitability.
Digital transformation is the second pillar of his approach. By using tools such as Power BI for reporting, the team gains greater transparency, reduces errors, and frees up time for strategic thinking. “Automation helps us get a clearer picture, but the final decisions are still made by people, and there’s a balance between technology and leadership responsibility,” he explains. While change can sometimes meet resistance, Goran notes that clearly demonstrated benefits quickly reduce it, while budget limitations require a modular and gradual approach to implementation.
Goran believes that in the future COTRUGLI could further develop leaders’ readiness for change and mental resilience, as well as emotional intelligence and empathy. “Numbers matter, but behind every number are people. A leader who understands that builds both results and unity.”
Mentorship is also an important part of his leadership path. Although he has not yet had a formal opportunity to act as a mentor, he strongly believes in the dual value of mentorship: “Through mentoring, the mentor also grows because together with the other person, they face new situations and perspectives they might not have encountered before.”
Among the most important moments that shaped his leadership approach was his move to NORMA right after the MBA, when he took on responsibility for a team for the first time. That’s when he clearly saw the difference between managing projects and leading people: building a team, recognizing members’ potential, and creating an atmosphere for their growth.
Goran emphasizes the importance of constant self-improvement. “A successful leader never stops working on their knowledge, skills, and values. Development doesn’t end when you graduate or get a position—that’s only the beginning.” Ethics, transparency, and encouraging innovation are the key pillars of his leadership. “When a team knows that their opinion is valued, initiative and accountability come naturally. Successful leadership means growth, leading by example, and empowering others to give their best.”
