A Story of Trust and AI: Betting on Potential

Today marks my 750th blog post in 18 years. Over the years, I’ve written about finance, fatherhood, and my highlights from the books. But milestone #750 feels different. It isn’t just about sharing a thought; it’s about sharing a moment where I watched the future of work happen right in front of me.

Last Monday, I presented to hundreds of colleagues during the AI & Automation: Real Stories & Real Impact Webcast. But the true driver of that day wasn't just code or digital tools—it was trust.

I want to take you behind the scenes of that day—not just to share the technical win, but to share a personal story of what happens when you combine Trust + AI.

Grounding Before the Growth

To be a leader who "creates space" for others, you first have to create space for yourself. My day didn't start with last-minute slide edits. It started early, in the quiet of the mosque. I went there to pray, to center myself, and to find focus. Innovation requires a clear mind, and that moment of stillness gave me the grounding I needed to support my team later in the day.

The Virtual Motivation 

By the time I reached the office for our rehearsal, I wasn't manic; I was ready. I hopped on a Microsoft Teams call with my co-speaker and intern, Osman Emre Yucel. Even though we were connecting through screens, the energy was high. I only told him: "We will do it!" 

Ready, Set, Go! - We will do it!

The Equation: Curiosity + Copilot > Experience 

We were there to present TIM (Tax Intelligence Monitor), a tool we built internally to automate the tracking of tax regulations. But the real story wasn't the tool; it was the method.

When Emre joined the team, I could have relied on my years of experience and micro-managed every step. Instead, I chose Trust. I defined the "what" (the tax complexity we faced with new product categories), but I gave him the space to own the "how."

This is where AI bridged the gap. I had the experience, but I was stuck in the old ways of working. Emre had the curiosity and tools like Microsoft Copilot. When you combine a leader’s trust with an intern’s AI-empowered curiosity, the hierarchy dissolves. The intern becomes the innovator.

Real Innovation is Messy (And Funny) 

Moving "beyond the hype" means admitting that AI isn't magic; it's an iterative process. During the webcast—which we delivered twice via MS Teams, once for the East and once for the West—we shared our "Fail Smart" moment.

I showed the audience how, in the early days, our AI tool kept flagging betting sites instead of tax regulations! We didn't hide this. We laughed about it. That transparency showed the audience that innovation is accessible. You don't need to be perfect; you just need to be persistent.

The Ripple Effect 

The most powerful moment wasn't our presentation; it was the interaction that followed in the chat. The questions and comments poured in. By the end of the day, we realized we hadn't just showcased a tax tool. We had handed over a blueprint.

We explained via the Q&A that the logic Emre built is a flexible asset. By simply adjusting the search parameters, a colleague in Supply Chain or Commercial can turn TIM into their own "Competitor Monitor" or "Regulatory Alert System."

That is the ultimate result of the Trust + AI equation: We didn't just build a solution for ourselves; we inspired a way of working that others can make their own.

Here is to the next 750 posts—and the innovations they will bring.

P.S. Remember how I said we started by accidentally tracking betting sites? Well, look at us now! I’m incredibly proud to share that TIM has officially been recognized and rewarded as a Continuous Improvement project. From "Fail Smart" to "Award Winner"—not bad for a tool built by an intern, right? 

Being Recognized - this means a lot!

Best invite of 2025

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.

Building Your Growth Passport

Your Growth Passport: Build, Reflect, Achieve.

I recently attended an inspiring presentation by Roxana Romanescu, Heat-Not-Burn Category Director in Philip Morris International Global Travel Retail, on building a meaningful Growth Passport—our Individual Development Plan (IDP). Her session emphasized that growth is intentional, supported, and measurable. Here are some key takeaways, now enriched with references to our own internal growth culture:

What Makes a Good Growth Passport?

1. Start with Reflection:
   Roxana encouraged us to step back and assess our current state—using feedback, reviewing past performance, and clarifying career aspirations. This mirrors the spirit of our recent internal event, DNA Talks: Feedback for Growth, where colleagues from across the organization gathered to discuss how constructive feedback fuels personal and professional development. 

2. Stay Focused:
   Don’t overload your plan. Select a few key areas that align with your personal and organizational goals—a principle echoed in our internal conversations about prioritizing growth areas for maximum impact.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice:
   Roxana highlighted the 70/20/10 approach: 70% on-the-job experience, 20% learning from others, 10% formal training. This practical model is also reflected in our internal learning initiatives, where peer learning and real-world application are highly valued. 

4. Set Realistic Timelines:
   Break actions into smaller steps with short deadlines to keep up momentum. This approach was discussed in our DNA Talks, where setting achievable milestones was identified as a key to sustaining growth. 

5. Lean on Your Growth Network:
   Engage your manager, peers, mentors, and coaches for support and fresh perspectives. Our internal event reinforced the importance of building a feedback-rich environment, where everyone is encouraged to support each other’s development. Here you may find more about Roxana's perspective on the workplace friendships: How work friendships can boost professional and personal development | PMI - Philip Morris International

6. It’s all about Behavior, Knowledge, Skills & Mindset!

   
   
   
   

---

It’s Time for Your Travel Souvenir…

Roxana also introduced a practical framework for crafting your IDP using prompts like:

• Guide me in building my IDP.
• Help me select a focus area by asking relevant questions.
• Ensure I have all the information needed regarding strengths and development areas.
• Define my current role and key capabilities.
• Identify the next role I aspire to and the capabilities needed for that step.

This mirrors the collaborative spirit of our internal growth discussions, where sharing experiences and asking the right questions are seen as essential to building effective development plans. 

---

Refine Your Prompt: Build Your IDP with Purpose

Let’s create an IDP focusing on three core areas:

• Set SMART Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
• Develop Skills Weekly: Incorporate the 70/20/10 model.
• Track Measurable Outcomes: Examples include leading meetings, mentoring others, or contributing to strategic projects.

---

Final Thought

Roxana Romanescu’s presentation, combined with our organization’s ongoing commitment to feedback and growth, is a timely reminder that development is a shared journey. Whether you’re just starting your IDP or refining it, these principles—supported by both external expertise and our internal culture—can help you grow with confidence and clarity.

For more about the event that Roxana presented:

Volkan Yorulmaz: Unlearning, Multiplying, and Growing: Leadership Lessons from PMI’s Global Travel Retail Conference

Volkan Yorulmaz: Brutal Truth, Simple Rules: What Toni Nadal Teaches Us About Growth, Development, and Feedback

Unlearning, Multiplying, and Growing: Leadership Lessons from PMI’s Global Travel Retail Conference

PMI Global Travel Retail Conference 2025 – Bold ideas, shared growth.

This September in sunny Barcelona, Philip Morris International’s Global Travel Retail (GTR) Conference brought together some of the most inspiring and forward-thinking leaders from across the organisation. The energy in the room was exciting as Beste Ermaner, Vassilis Gkatzelis, and Ilaria Gregotti shared powerful stories, honest reflections, and bold ideas that left a lasting impression on everyone listening.

Beste Ermaner: The Courage to Unlearn

Beste’s keynote was a masterclass in vulnerability and transformation. Returning from Russia to lead Smoke Free Products, Beste candidly shared how past successes became blind spots in a new context. Her journey of unlearning—letting go of familiar recipes and embracing new paradigms like B2C, digital experiences, and call centres—was not just professional, but personal.

A moment with Beste Ermaner – Unlearning, growing, connecting.

She reminded us that growth begins with kindness to oneself, especially when facing failure. Her story of three reorganisations in 18 months and the unintended creation of silos was a powerful lesson in humility and the importance of zooming out to see the bigger picture. Her call to treat feedback as a gift and to shift our mindset towards openness and collective improvement was a direct message for all leaders.

“We need a pledge to not take feedback personally, but to see it as an opportunity to get better, more connected, and more successful.”

Vassilis Gkatzelis: The Power of Multiplication

Vassilis brought a strategic lens to the conversation, describing GTR as a “Multiplier”—a force that amplifies impact across consumers, partners, and people. From doubling multi-category markets to quadrupling ZYN volumes, GTR’s performance is not just impressive—it’s exponential.

He highlighted how GTR creates win-win scenarios with partners, drives global talent development, and opens white spaces in markets like India and the US. His storytelling—especially the tale of Hamza the food truck owner—was a brilliant example of simplifying complex business challenges through relatable narratives.

“Communication is my constant evolution. With simple stories, people understand the message in a much simpler way.”

Vassilis also shared his own mistakes, particularly around communication gaps across cultures and functions. His humility and humour made his message all the more powerful: keep learning, keep adapting, and keep multiplying.

Beste Ermaner, Vassilis Gkatzelis, Ilaria Gregotti, and Mami Sakamaki – A powerful chorus for growth.

Ilaria Gregotti: Growth as a Shared Journey

Joining from Tokyo, Ilaria framed growth as the living expression of PMI’s DNA. She emphasised that personal growth fuels business growth, and vice versa. Her message was clear: we must move beyond the binary of success and failure, and instead embrace learning as a continuous journey.

“Growth is not just about the next position—it’s about the skills and experiences we need to develop to progress.”

Ilaria’s call to shift our mindset from “pass or fail” to “what have I learned?” was a timely reminder that transformation starts with each of us. Her perspective as Regional VP of People and Culture added depth to the conversation, reinforcing that growth is a collective responsibility.

Final Thoughts

This open forum was more than a conference—it was a moment of reflection, connection, and inspiration. Beste taught us to unlearn and be kind to ourselves. Vassilis showed us how to multiply impact through clarity and storytelling. Ilaria reminded us that growth is a shared journey, rooted in learning and self-awareness.

Together, their voices form a powerful chorus for the future of PMI: one that is humble, bold, and relentlessly focused on growth.

Related Insight: Toni’s Keynote on Brutal Truth & Simple Rules

During the same conference, I also had the chance to attend another standout session:

Volkan Yorulmaz: Brutal Truth, Simple Rules: What Toni Nadal Teaches Us About Growth, Development, and Feedback

This keynote offered a refreshing take on leadership clarity, decision-making, and the power of simplicity—perfectly complementing the themes of growth, unlearning, and communication shared by Beste, Vassilis, and Ilaria.

If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend checking it out for a deeper dive into the mindset shifts shaping PMI’s leadership culture.

Recharged with Inspiration: Lessons from a Short Break

Today marks the 27th anniversary of my father's passing—a moment that always brings reflection. It also coincides with the end of my 2025 summer break. While I’m not someone who fully disconnects during holidays, I deeply respect those who do. Protecting one’s well-being and making time for loved ones is something I admire and support.

This summer was particularly challenging due to health issues within the family. Yet, I’m grateful to have carved out five days in my favourite coastal retreat—Teos, Seferihisar. Here, I return to routines that ground me: early morning walks, sunbathing, swimming, and most importantly, reflection.

Morning Walks & Mindful Listening

One of my routines is walking before breakfast while listening to podcasts. On the first working day of my vacation, I tuned into Bumuyani – Episode 203: Zehirli Dayanıklılık (“Toxic Resilience”). For those unfamiliar, toxic resilience refers to the tendency to overextend oneself in the name of dedication and loyalty—often at the cost of personal boundaries.

Listening to this episode made me realise how often I stay “always connected,” expecting the same level of responsiveness from colleagues. But through reflection and a meaningful conversation with a close friend, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of empathy—especially towards those who protect their time and energy with intention. Going forward, I aim to honour these boundaries more consciously and understand the drivers of those colleagues.

Summer Reading: Trust & Inspire

My summer read was Trust & Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey. I’ve read over 200 pages so far, and it’s been transformative. Trust was a key theme I wanted to develop this year, especially as part of the PMI DNA. (Our PMI DNA—We Care, We are Better Together, We are Game Changers—defines how we work, lead, and engage with each other every day. For more: Culture & Diversity at PMI | PMI - Philip Morris International) One quote stood out:

“The very first job of a leader is to inspire trust. The second job is to extend it.”

Not trusting is a lonely, stressful, and joyless way to live. This book reminded me that leadership is not just about control—it’s about connection. I’ll continue dedicating time to reading and writing, and I welcome any book recommendations that support personal growth.

The Gift of Family Time

Of course, no summer is complete without family. During the hustle of back-to-back meetings and endless emails, it’s hard to find quality time. But on vacation, I can be fully present—and that’s the true gift. I’ll close with a family photo from the summer of 2025, a reminder of what truly matters.

#Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #TrustAndInspire #Resilience #Empathy #WorkLifeBalance #VacationReflection #MindfulLeadership #TeosSeferihisar #Summer2025 #GrowthMindset #SelfAwareness #EmotionalIntelligence #ToxicResilience #Inspiration #ProfessionalGrowth #ManagerLife #TreasuryAndTax #PMIDNA #ReflectionTime #PurposeDriven #BusinessLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #LinkedInBlog #CareerJourney #SelfImprovement #LeadershipJourney #TeamCulture #WorkplaceWellbeing #HumanCentredLeadership #EmpoweredTeams #LeadWithTrust

When Feedback Hurts: A Father’s Reflection on Communication and Growth

Dear Son,

Yesterday was parent-teacher meeting day at your school. Once again, thank you for giving us a reason to feel proud. Listening to the wonderful feedback from your teachers — full of kind words, meaningful stories, and thoughtful observations — was truly heartwarming. We are so grateful for all of it.

However, there was one moment that struck me deeply and left an unexpected ache in my heart. Your science teacher mentioned that you had told him, with tears welling in your eyes, that I didn’t allow you to bring your Raspberry Pi 5 to school for your science project. He explained how he’s been trying to help you find a workaround ever since. Hearing this broke me — not because of what you said, but because I realized I may have failed to see the situation through your eyes.

Let me share my perspective. When I first heard you’d be working on a team project, my immediate concern was about the balance of responsibility. At your age, contributions among team members can be uneven, and I worried you might end up doing more than your fair share — or worse, carry the burden alone. My intention was to protect you from frustration or disappointment, not to limit your potential.

But after speaking with your teacher, I understood there was a deeper misunderstanding. What I saw as guidance came across to you as restriction. What I meant as protection felt, to you, like a lack of trust.

This experience has given me two valuable lessons — lessons I believe apply not only to parenting, but also to leadership, teamwork, and communication at every level:

First, I need to give you more room to explore, to fail, to lead, and to grow. Teamwork is one of life’s most powerful teachers. It’s not just about achieving a goal — it’s about learning how to collaborate, how to manage roles and responsibilities, and how to navigate the beautiful messiness of human dynamics. These are skills that you, like all of us, must learn through real experience.

Second, feedback is not just about what we say — it’s about how we say it. I now realize that the way I expressed my concerns lacked empathy and clarity. Next time, I’ll do better: I’ll explain the ‘why’ behind my thoughts, give you the full picture, and make sure we’re truly aligned in understanding.

Thank you for being our bright, curious, and amazing son. You remind me every day that we are all students in this journey — learning from each other, growing together, and always better when we trust and support one another.

With love,
Dad
Volkan

For more letters like this:

Volkan Yorulmaz: Behind the "Fantastic Job": Progress Bars and Punching Bags

Volkan Yorulmaz: Driving Growth: Individual Development Plan and AI Integration