Integrity, Knowledge, and Empathy as Pillars of Leadership
“A leader must know what kind of person they want to be, have expertise in their field, and remain consistent with their values. Without that, they cannot earn the trust and support of the people they lead.”
Ivana Pupić, Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Manager at MK Group, is part of the third generation of the COTRUGLI MBA program. She says that this experience gave her a broader business perspective and greater confidence in her professional growth.
“Working in a consulting firm specializing in executive search showed me how much I lacked a wider understanding of company operations. Transitioning to Societe Generale opened the door to COTRUGLI Business School, which proved to be crucial for my further development,” Pupić recalls.
Reflecting on the transformation of the HR sector, she emphasizes the growing role of technology:
“Artificial intelligence is not only used for task automation but also for employee development – to assess what they know, identify gaps, and suggest ways to improve. This is just the beginning of a process that will become increasingly important in the coming years.”
Throughout her career, she has also evolved her approach to leadership. “At first, I was exclusively focused on tasks and results. However, experience has taught me that empathy and understanding of context bring much better outcomes. Once you apply that in practice, you can clearly see the difference in productivity and teamwork.”
Although she does not currently lead a formal team, her influence comes through projects and collaboration with colleagues across different business areas. “I don’t have the authority of a position, but I motivate and support people. It is often more challenging, but it contributes to a more human approach and gives me a strong sense of purpose.”
When asked about her future professional path, Pupić highlights her interest in returning to consulting: “That’s the field where I began my career, and it still excites me because it involves working across industries, with a high level of independence and responsibility.”
She also sees mentoring as a natural continuation of her journey. “Supporting others has become part of my everyday life. People often come to me for advice, and that fulfills me. I would like to dedicate myself to mentoring more formally, especially within the COTRUGLI community.”
From her career so far, she points to three key lessons:
- Things will never go entirely our way.
- HR professionals must understand the business to have credibility.
- Integrity is a value that should never be compromised.
For Pupić, successful leadership rests on clear values, professional expertise, and defined goals: “A leader must know what kind of person they want to be, have expertise in their field, and remain consistent with their values. Without that, they cannot earn the trust and support of the people they lead.”