Miroslava Jocić

Miroslava Jocić, CEO of Secut d.o.o. and alumna of the 12th generation of the COTRUGLI EMBA program in Belgrade, describes her career as a journey shaped by challenges, personal growth, and continuous learning. She enrolled in the MBA program just as she was promoted to Deputy Director, and only a month later, the pandemic began. Despite the turbulent year, she stepped into the role of General Director, which she continues to hold today.

“The MBA program helped me strengthen my leadership skills and see the bigger picture, which was invaluable in my new role,” says Miroslava. The program gave her a broader business perspective, while the crises during the pandemic helped her build inner stability and determination.

For Miroslava, the leadership journey is a continuous process of learning and adaptation. “I believe leaders today must constantly evolve, learn, and adjust—regardless of age, education, or previous experience. The world is changing rapidly, and stagnation can easily take us away from the essence of leadership.” She emphasizes that leadership is built on trust, both in oneself and in the people one leads. Focusing on the team, colleagues, and partners allows her to see the bigger picture and leave a positive mark on the organization.

Miroslava believes the future of leadership will demand highly developed emotional and social intelligence. “In an age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, what will set us apart and remain irreplaceable are human relationships, empathy, and awareness of others.” The COTRUGLI program, she explains, already helped her develop those skills through discussions, group work, and sharing experiences with colleagues.

Mentorship is a natural continuation of her approach. Miroslava sees obstacles not as reasons to give up, but as opportunities for growth and perseverance. “Even today, through my work, I have the opportunity to mentor others, and I would gladly join as a mentor within the COTRUGLI community. I am ready to share knowledge, provide support and motivation to remind others that everything is possible when we believe in ourselves and when we have someone to encourage us along the way.”

The key moments that shaped her leadership style include crises that tested her ability to remain calm and quickly design action plans. “It’s easy to be a good leader when everything is going smoothly. The real test comes in daily, unexpected crises that demand courage, responsibility, and inner strength. It was in those moments that I was truly formed as a leader.”

For Miroslava, a successful leader is someone who stays true to themselves, even as the world changes. “I believe every leader must listen to their inner voice – that instinct or intuition we all carry. Even if we make mistakes, it’s important that we act in alignment with ourselves. First, we are human beings, and only then managers and leaders.” For her, authenticity, commitment, and passion for work form the foundation of sustainable leadership, inspiring the people around her.