In a world of rapid technological change and dynamic markets, leaders who recognize the potential and energy of young talents lay the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future. Admir Drinić, CEO of Telemach BH, through his long-term engagement in leadership development within the Leaders Roots program, launched by the American Chamber of Commerce in BiH, emphasizes the importance of investing in young individuals who shape business and social change with their ideas and ambitions.
Admir Drinić shares his experiences, challenges, and strategies he applies in leading a company towards long-term success. Through inspiring stories about leadership, he emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement, recognizing the potential of young leaders, and their key role in market and community development.
As the world of leadership changes, it is increasingly clear that the power of vision, communication skills, and emotional intelligence form the foundation of success in the modern business environment. Drinić's story serves as an inspiration to all who want to shape the future through leadership, innovation, and investment in people.
For the third year in a row, you have been supporting and addressing young leaders, participants of this program, who are striving to recognize their place and responsibility in shaping the future. What inspires you about these young, ambitious individuals, and how do you think they can shape the future of BiH in the context of business and social progress?
Young leaders are the true light of the future for me. Their inexhaustible energy, courage to recognize new opportunities and ability to face challenges with a positive attitude, awaken hope and inspiration in me. Their innovation, desire for research and learning, and ability to initiate change have the power to shape the global world, inspiring society and the business community to progress. Young leaders bring new energy and perspective, creating the foundations for positive changes that affect the entire world. Their innovation, their willingness to research, learn and influence change represent a key driving force for every leader. Let us consider how technological and social changes are constantly shaping our world - it is precisely through young people, who are not afraid to push boundaries, that we can build a stable and prosperous future. This process is more than just business progress – it is the development of sustainable social initiatives that will improve the quality of life, both in BiH and globally. It is our responsibility as mentors to provide them with the resources, a platform for growth and the opportunity to develop. Through their courage, I believe that together we will create bridges between sectors, creating a strong, prosperous and sustainable future.
We dedicated the last session to the voice of the leader, and given your position, how important is it for a leader to be a skilled speaker, and how does this reflect on the success of the company? How does this aspect shape your personal business approach?
Communication is a powerful tool in the hands of a leader, and the skill of public speaking is essential for building transparency, trust, and inspiration in a team. Clear, motivating communication not only ensures that all team members understand the mission and goals, but also enables a deeper connection with employees. Every word we speak carries weight – and through transparency, integrity, and clarity, a leader not only motivates their team, but also provides them with vision, direction, and impetus for action. In my business approach, communication is a core strategy through which I enable each individual to clearly understand their role, goals, and contribution. Open channels of communication allow for constant feedback and opportunities for improvement, thereby creating a work culture that is geared toward shared success. When a leader leads through words, they lay the foundation for trust, creativity, and success.
During previous Leader Roots sessions, you emphasized the importance of learning, especially foreign languages. How did the constant process of improvement and learning help you shape your career, and how do you apply that experience in running Telemach BH?
Learning is the foundation of all success, whether on a personal or professional level. Through a continuous process of improvement, I gained key skills and insight into global business processes that enable me to make informed and strategic decisions. Learning foreign languages was instrumental in guiding my career towards international business opportunities and enabled me to communicate with partners and teams around the world. Through this experience, I realized that in order for a leader to be successful, he must always be in the phase of learning, adapting and evolving. We apply the same at Telemach BH, where we constantly encourage our employees to invest in their skills and professional development. We organize trainings, work sessions and provide access to new technologies, because we believe that constant improvement is the key to success, both personal and organizational.
Every leader in his business journey is faced with decisions that often affect personal perception. Can you share a decision that brought you the greatest pleasure, but also the one that was the most difficult for you, and how you balanced the emotional and rational side of those moments?
One of the decisions that brought me the greatest satisfaction was the selection and development of new leaders within the company. No success would be possible without capable people who recognize the vision and take responsibility for achieving the goals. To develop talents, to give them the opportunity to grow and take key positions in the team, is a deep fulfillment because in this process we also see our own growth. On the other hand, the most difficult decision was the implementation of significant changes in the organization, which were related to the restructuring and optimization of operations. These changes, although necessary for future growth, brought emotional challenges as many employees had to adapt to new circumstances. To balance the rational and emotional sides, I have always been honest, transparent and open to feedback. This allowed me to maintain an emotional connection with the employees, while at the same time making the necessary decisions that ensure the long-term stability of the company.
Telemach BH is recognized as one of the leaders in the telecommunications market, which is confirmed by the awards. In this dynamic industry, where clear communication is key to success, how do you as a leader approach challenges related to communication within the team, and how do you build trust with your colleagues?
Trust is a core value in any team and achieving that trust requires constant, open and honest communication. In the telecommunications market, where the pace of change is extremely fast, daily communication is essential to keep the team aligned and motivated. As a leader, I strive to build and maintain trust through transparency - I always clearly communicate goals, challenges and expectations. Also, I believe in active listening and providing feedback. Trust is built not only through words, but also through actions. Through consistency in fulfilling promises and fairness in decision-making, we build the foundations for a strong work culture. Our team is our greatest resource, and through mutual connection, cooperation and joint work, we build the foundations for the company's success and strengthening its leadership in the market.
What do you think the leader of the future is like and what is the skill they would need the most?
The leader of the future must be a visionary, an innovator and a bearer of change. The world is in constant evolution and leaders will have to show the ability to adapt, recognize new opportunities and strengths in every challenge. The skill that will be most important is emotional intelligence. The ability to recognize, understand and manage emotions – both your own and those of others – will be crucial to successful leadership. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to build interpersonal relationships, resolve conflicts and motivate teams even in the most challenging times. In addition, the leaders of the future must be digitally literate, ready to use new technologies and work methods, and capable of making decisions based on data. They must be able to ensure a balance between high business goals and the needs of their teams, in order to achieve sustainable success.
