The earlier the leadership skills are being developed the easier our lives can be, the more we can do for ourselves and others.
1. Please tell us about your background and journey.
I had a very pleasant and average life journey. Raised in Wrocław by my mother and grandfather, focused on achieving family goals as a degree and preparation for a proper job. I studied Management at the University of Technology in Wrocław, Poland.
There I found out about AIESEC and during 6 years in the organization, my life values and priorities changed, allowing me to focus on what I really want to achieve in life and what brings me joy and satisfaction - the development of people and discovering their best version.
2. When and why did you join AIESEC?
I joined the second year of the university, in October 2014 by total accident. My friend from high school was part of the organization and back then promotion of recruitment was connected to a very green icon instead of a profile picture, so I got interested and decided to go for the process.
I felt I was wasting my college years by just studying and meeting with my friends, so I wanted to do something that can contribute to my future. I almost resigned from the initial interview, but the eagerness of the person responsible didn't allow me to withdraw.
3. Why do you think it is important for people to develop leadership skills early on?
Looking at my own example, the leadership skills we are focusing on in AIESEC - always looking for solutions, being aware of what is happening around us and taking the responsibility to do something about it, working on our strengths and passions, and also making sure we are empowering others to do the same - seem very easy, but it is very difficult for young people to really focus on it by themselves.
The earlier the leadership skills are being developed the easier our lives can be, the more we can do for ourselves and others.
4. What have been your biggest learnings from your experience?
I had many learnings throughout the years, but I think my main realization that came was that everything starts with us. I cannot expect others to behave or do things in a specific way if I am not following it.
I cannot wait for other people or institutions to make changes, it should be my own responsibility that I want to share with others. I also developed a lot the team management skills and the importance of people in work.
5. What advice would you give to people who just enter college?
Please make sure you are looking for all the possible opportunities to develop. If you are lucky enough that your studies are preparing you also practically to what is waiting in the future - amazing.
If not, look for different organizations, take initiatives and learn as much as you can on your own - personal development is a very underrated field, but yet so helpful and needed.
6. How has AIESEC adapted during Covid?
It was a very difficult process for us. For over 70 years we were focusing our actions around multicultural exchanges and within a month we were not able to run them anymore. We started to come up with new initiatives that can be implemented in local environments to make sure we can still develop both members and people outside of AIESEC.
Our main touchpoints used to be conferences, but due to COVID we were not allowed to meet in one place, so our know-how on online touchpoints and how to organize them in an interactive way is really high now. As well as using online tools in work.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
It's the most difficult question for all those today. I think I would go for Harry Potter. I remember the joy of exploring with the main characters all the adventures, friendships, challenges. I think it was a big boost for my imagination when I was younger and after all, I read all the books few times. I love Ron and Sirius Black.
Monika Bać
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