Indira Bunic – CEO & Founder of EmpowerU – Ignite Your Leadership Journey

The EnterpriseZone Writing Team

November 27, 2023

A commitment to helping others to improve is Indira Bunic’s motivation.

What’s your story?

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in various fields such as governance, diplomacy, law enforcement, international relations, corporate business, and media. This diverse background has given me a deep understanding of ethical thought leadership and international collaboration. As an ambassador in service, my focus is to promote ethical values, and social awareness, while fostering intercultural collaboration, diversity, and inclusivity. My journey began with a search for my purpose and legacy. I found it in serving, empowering, adding value, and inspiring leaders, companies, and organizations through counseling, coaching, and advocating to achieve goals aligned with their values and missions.

What excites you most about your industry?

Whenever I am asked this question, I find myself reflecting on which “Industry”: business, diplomacy, board of directors, executive coaching, etc. I’d love to focus and talk about. And so, I ask myself differently: what is a common denominator of these “industries” i.e. areas of my experience and expertise that excite me the most ? Having that in mind, I feel deeply fulfilled and excited to draw on my vast experience, knowledge, and expertise to empower and help organizations and individuals grow, develop, make informed decisions, and achieve their full potential, values-aligned, and self-predetermined goals, success, and purposeful fulfilment.

What drives you in your career to push beyond what other people consider normal?

My leadership journey was always more than just a paycheck job. It was and is my passion for serving others, creating, and adding value that drives me to push beyond what others consider normal. I believe that success is not just about luck or talent, but about passion, enthusiasm, determination, commitment, motivation, and persistence. One of the things that sets me apart from others is my self-knowledge and resilience, which allows me to take risks, embrace challenges, and try new things. I am always seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, constantly improving my skills and going beyond myself.

What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?

Decisive in my journey were many skills. Authentic and trustworthy communication, commitment to collaboration, independent and critical mindset, integrity, business acumen, strategic and analytical thinking, system thinking, diligence and persistence, adaptability, creativity, openness to continuous learning, curiosity, empathy, social and intercultural competencies, digital literacy, and methodical skills. In my experience, the most valuable skills are those that enable flexibility and adaptation. We are constantly faced with new challenges and obstacles, and it’s the ability to embrace and navigate through these situations with ease that sets successful individuals apart.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

Be humble, respectful, and grateful for anything you have, even for setbacks and obstacles that might occur. Discover and learn about yourself, learn what you stand for. Learn what is important to you in your life, your values, and your purpose. Live aligned with your values and never give up on your dreams. Build yourself, believe in yourself, and build your self-knowledge and self-confidence, it is not selfish it is selfless. These words of my mother have resonated deeply within me ever since. They grounded me, fostered resilience, and created a positive ripple effect in all my struggles and endeavors.

Who inspires you?

Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving vulnerable people and inspiring others with kindness and commitment. Mandela’s unwavering determination and ability to rise above bitterness inspire me to never lose sight of the pursuit of justice and equality. The legacies of these figures and Mahatma Gandhi remind me of the transformative power of love, compassion, and perseverance. I am inspired to follow in their footsteps, striving to make a positive difference in the lives of others, just as they did.

What have you learnt recently that blew you away?

I am amazed by the rapid advancements in AI and generative AI in particular. It is astonishing to see how AI can excel at creative tasks such as writing poetry and composing music, as well as perform complex research and engage in debates. The ability of AI to scale up with additional data and computational resources has enabled remarkable developments that would have been impossible a few decades ago. The potential of AI to revolutionize various domains, from healthcare and education to entertainment and social media, is both exciting and daunting. Nevertheless, there is no denying that it is mind-blowing.

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?

Under the same conditions and framework, my life’s journey, with all its ups and downs, has played a pivotal role in shaping me into the individual I am today. I have learned to appreciate every twist and turn, as each one has contributed to my character development and resilience. Although there may be moments that I would like to revisit, I would not want to alter my past because doing so would mean sacrificing the wisdom and strength that I have gained. Embracing my journey in its entirety has molded me into the person I am today.

How do you unwind?

I prioritize spending time with my family and practice mindfulness to stay present. This helps me live in the present and let go of things. Expressing gratitude helps me focus on the blessings in my life. Gratitude helps me release biases and harmful thoughts and shift my focus on the transformative power of blessings in my life. Finding a quiet, peaceful space, immersing myself in reading, learning, and literature, and enjoying a warm cup of coffee or milk while expressing myself creatively through painting, is an important part of my relaxation routine.

What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your career?

I would rather call it a big consciousness. As I progressed in my career, I realized that it’s much more than just a job. It’s a calling that I am truly passionate and enthusiastic about and goes beyond the need to earn a living or receive a paycheck. This is a state of mind when you are motivated by the desire to make a difference and to make a positive impact on the world, and your career is the perfect platform to achieve that. That is why I decided to go for my calling and live my legacy.

Everyone in business should read this book:

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert T Kiyosaki. This book is one of my favorites as it discusses wealth management themes through the author’s personal experience. He compares his father, who is the ‘Poor Dad’, with his best friend’s father, the ‘Rich Dad’, to teach powerful lessons about money management. Also “The Changing World Order” by Ray Dalio, an investor and hedge fund manager, is an excellent example of someone who knows how to navigate the modern business world. In his book, he shares his insights on how to thrive in today’s business environment. And many others!

Shameless plug for your business or career:

The philosophy of my Company “EmpowerU Leadership Coaching” goes beyond leadership and coaching to ignite personal leadership journeys. I help leaders and organizations unlock their true potential through personalized coaching, expert advisory, and a commitment to Ethical, Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. With over 30 years of diverse thought leadership, I help individuals at any stage of their leadership journey, fostering personal leadership traits and adding value to companies globally. I help them rise above challenges, embrace ethical leadership, and contribute to a sustainable, responsible, and better future for all, to make a difference and positive impact on the world.

How can people connect with you?

The best way is through LinkedIn: www.dhirubhai.net/in/indira-bunic

Social Media Links?

www.dhirubhai.net/in/indira-bunic

This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.

https://enterprisezone.cc/indira-bunic-ceo-founder-of-empoweru-ignite-your-leadership-journey/