From Corporate Routine to Strategic Leadership
“A true leader knows when to rally the team, when to pass the ‘ball’, and when to call a time-out for brainstorming. Success is when the entire team feels motivated to grow together and when you know your impact goes beyond just the results.”
Saša’s career is a clear example of how true growth doesn’t come from titles or plans but from a willingness to continuously learn and adapt. From the corporate world to the agile environment of Q Agency, his journey shows how far we can go when we embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities.
Before joining the COTRUGLI program, Saša’s professional goals were clear but limited: “Before COTRUGLI, I was focused on classic sales targets, operational efficiency, and the security of the corporate machine. But I realized that, in the long run, I wanted more than just leading a team to meet quotas. I was interested in strategic development, business strategy, and creating long-term value.”
The Power of Diverse Perspectives
During the program, Saša experienced for the first time how different perspectives can shape one’s way of thinking: “During the COTRUGLI program, sitting in a team with a pharmacist, a marketing guru, and an IT expert, I realized how much diverse perspectives can broaden your view of solutions and develop openness in tackling business challenges.”
After graduating, his transition to Q Agency changed his work pace and allowed him to apply everything he had learned: “Moving to Q Agency was a real ‘reset’ in terms of pace. Coming from a corporation, where a typical email might say, ‘please respond by the end of the week,’ to Q Agency, where it’s more like, ‘we needed this yesterday!’ This allowed me to put everything I had learned into practice, which I now use daily in leading my team and driving business development.”
Balancing Corporate Structure and Agility
Today, Saša leads a diverse team, balancing the structured approach he gained in a global corporation with the agility required at Q Agency: “My leadership journey today is about balancing the structure I developed in a corporate environment with the agility I had to adopt at Q Agency. I lead a diverse team and motivate them to constantly seek new solutions. The current challenge is creating a system that can meet the needs of clients across different markets like the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East. In other words, how to build a flexible system that accommodates the specific needs of different markets, communication styles, and cultures.”
When reflecting on what MBA programs should focus on more, Saša highlights the importance of technology and emotional resilience: “I believe there should be an even stronger emphasis on implementing new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, digital agility, and change management. Emotional resilience, embracing change, and managing stress are also essential because we deal with ‘burning’ situations daily, and the importance of soft skills is growing.”
Saša also sees mentorship as an opportunity for mutual learning: “Mentorship is not just a chance to share my experience but also to learn from younger colleagues who bring fresh perspectives and technological innovations. I believe in leading by example, but I also believe that every leader learns from their team.”
Lessons from Transformations and Sports
The key moments that shaped Saša’s leadership come from challenging transformations and sports experiences: “The most important moments were leading a team through challenging transformations, such as implementing AI-driven process solutions at Q Agency or merging different teams, cultures, and ways of working at HT. Mentorship and collaboration with colleagues from COTRUGLI opened doors to new industries, and at Q Agency, I learned to improvise and make quick decisions. My sports background taught me the importance of knowing when to assist. Like in basketball, sometimes your move is the game-changer for the entire team!”
When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, Saša doesn’t hesitate: “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because real growth comes from challenging situations. Always aim to grow alongside smart and motivated people because strong relationships and mentorship are your long-term investments. Sometimes the most important lessons come from resolving conflicts, whether it’s a business crisis caused by project prioritization or a disagreement over the menu for a corporate event!”
For Saša, success as a leader is measured by a combination of vision, action, and care for the team: “For me, it’s a combination of vision, concrete actions, care for the team’s development, and creating an atmosphere of trust and innovation. A true leader knows when to rally the team, when to pass the ‘ball,’ and when to call a time-out for brainstorming. Success is when the entire team feels motivated to grow together and when you know your impact goes beyond just the results.”