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Reading this question and realizing that I am now in the 27th year of my journey filled me with both emotion and excitement. I was born into a family of educators and grew up in an environment where love, respect, and knowledge were deeply cherished. I have always believed that the greatest fortune in my life is the family I was born into. Although my academic life was filled with achievements, I never distanced myself from life, current events, or my friendships. Like everyone, I%u2019ve made mistakes, experienced tragic moments, and celebrated joyful milestones. Throughout it all, I%u2019ve stayed true to the values that anchor my life: honesty, hard work, balance, and sincerity. Now, I can say this with certainty: what truly matters is not how your journey begins or where it ends but who you travel with along the way. I feel incredibly fortunate and happy to have spent this journey doing the work I love, with teams I deeply admire, and friends I%u2019ve chosen to share my path with.My education has been instrumental in helping me understand people%u2019s emotions and needs. Studying Psychological Counseling at METU significantly enhanced my ability to listen and empathize, which are among the most essential skills in human resources management. It also allowed me to apply my knowledge of human behavior and communication to the professional world. Moreover, my academic background, coupled with my experiences of campus and dormitory life, taught me inclusivity and respect for diversity%u2014long before these topics became prevalent in the corporate world. University life was where I learned to adapt to life%u2019s ever-changing flow with flexibility and resilience. EL%u0130F %u00d6ZERCAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY BEGIN AND LEAD YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?HOW HAS YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY SHAPED YOUR CAREER? CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND HAS INFLUENCED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?YOU HAVE HELD EXECUTIVE ROLES IN LEADING COMPANIES WITHIN THE FINANCE AND RETAIL SECTORS. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES OF A LEADER?In my opinion, the first and most vital quality of a leader is being genuine and a good listener. Leadership isn%u2019t something that comes with a title; every position and environment naturally fosters its own leader. Management, however, is cyclical and tied to specific time frames. This distinction highlights the significant differences between being a senior manager and being a true leader. We need leaders who can focus on the bigger picture, put people at the center of processes and goals, internalize their vision, and, most importantly, create space for all stakeholders%u2014empowering them to grow, develop, and transform. Since day one, no matter how much industries, technologies, and paradigms evolve, one thing remains unchanged: the performance, happiness, and continuity of teams are directly influenced by their leader, and the most significant impact on a manager comes from their team. ONE OF USHUMAN RESOURCES, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, AND SUSTAINABILITY GROUP PRESIDENT FEBRUARY 2025 36. ISSUE70