Growing Together with my Interns

They were my interns.

Or maybe the better word is: my project partners.

Over the past two weeks, they came to the office to visit me, and we ended up sitting at the same cafeteria table with the same relaxed conversations. Nothing formal - just genuine connection.

But after I sat there with them, it was my personal reflection time.

Most of our work together happened through screens - Teams calls, shared screens, digital problem‑solving. Seeing them in person reminded me how much they’ve shaped my own journey in these past two years as well.

Not just with the work they delivered.

But with the way they helped me grow.

Arda: Building Our Digital Hub (Summer 2024)

Arda was the one who helped us turn digital chaos into something organized and useful.

He built our Finance SharePoint hub from scratch - bringing order to scattered files, links, and documents. The system he created is still the place the whole team relies on.

He also helped us fight against the parked‑invoice issues and made our follow‑ups clearer and more structured.

But what impressed me most was his attitude:

• curious
• open
• willing to try without fear

Working with him pushed me to look at my own digital habits. I realized how easy it is to fall into routines - and how refreshing it is when someone younger shows you a simpler, better way.

Emre: Bringing the Spark of Automation and AI (2025–2026)

A year later, Emre joined with a different kind of energy - one driven by automation and AI.

He built the first version of our Tax Intelligence Monitor, created Python scripts that automated websearches, and explored new AI tools with zero hesitation.

Our conversations often became small learning exchanges.

Sometimes he taught me something new.

Sometimes I shared context from tax, treasury or something what we call soft-skill.

But the bigger lesson was this:

Staying up-to-date is not a one‑time task.

It’s a habit. A muscle. A mindset.

Why These Moments Matter

We talk about simplification and digital transformation as if it’s only about systems, dashboards, or technology.

But it really starts with people.

With fresh eyes. With honest questions. With energy that makes you rethink your “normal.”

Arda and Emre delivered great work.

But they also gave me something just as valuable:

I didn’t only share my know‑how with them, I learned from them too.

Their reverse mentoring - intentional or not - helped me stay up‑to‑date, stay open, and stay curious. They reminded me that progress doesn’t always come from big projects. Sometimes it comes from a simple conversation at the cafeteria table.

And for that, I’m grateful.

From Hero to Author: Designing Your Own Leadership Style

“Do you want to be the hero or the victim in the story?”

That question hit me hard recently. My answer? Neither. I want to be the author.

Heroes fight fires. Victims suffer circumstances. Authors design the plot. They decide what matters, what doesn’t, and how the story ends.

Why this matters in leadership

In high-pressure roles, it’s easy to default to operational heroics—being the “go-to” person for everything. It feels good in the moment, but it traps you in someone else’s script. Strategic work suffers, wellbeing erodes, and the system never improves.

Authors think differently:

• They write the ending first: What outcomes must be inevitable?
• They cast roles: Who owns what? Where are the guardrails?
• They edit ruthlessly: If it doesn’t fit the plot, delegate or delete.

My recent shift

After reflecting on feedback (and a candid Officevibe [a corporate survey] moment), I realized I was prioritizing urgent over important. So, I designed a new chapter:

• Clear responsibilities and escalation ladders to stop everything routing to me.
• Micro-automation and playbooks to kill recurring fires.
• Maker–Manager schedule to protect deep work and strategic thinking.
• Wellbeing guardrails—because sustainable performance beats burnout.

I even asked myself daily:

“What chapter am I writing today?”

Not “What inbox fire am I putting out?”

The takeaway

Leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s about being the author—the one who makes results inevitable through systems, clarity, and foresight.

If you’re feeling stuck in reactive mode, ask:

• What’s the theme of my next chapter?
• What would make me irrelevant here (in a good way)?
• What system would make success inevitable?

Call to Action:

How do you design your own leadership narrative? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to learn from your stories.

Some photos just after thinking about all these, while walking to the hospital for a check-up.