Damir Zorić: The ultimate goal of every mentor is for the mentee to be better than him at the end of the journey

The final conference of the HUP mentoring program for businesswomen titled ‘How the transfer of knowledge and experience can help in advancement: the role of a good mentor in career development’ was held at the Croatian Employers’ Association.

HUP launched the mentoring program in February as part of broader activities aimed at increasing the representation of women in top management positions and within the Women’s Database platform.

The conference was opened by Dr. Damir Zorić, the CEO of HUP, who shared his own mentoring experience with the attendees and stated that the goal of every mentor is for someone better to follow him.

– Better people must always follow us. That is the goal. If society goes in the opposite direction, we end up with young people without prospects. We older ones must give young people a chance, recognize talents, and guide them because young energy is always needed in business. The ultimate goal of every mentor is for the mentee to be better than their mentor at the end of the journey – said Zorić.

Carmen Majetić Pavić, the head of the mentoring program, stated that the project was initiated not to fight for gender equality but to respect differences.

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Carmen Majetić Pavić
 

photo Ratko Mavar

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– Croatia had 21.6 percent of women in high positions from 2010 to 2017, but in 2018 and 2019, that percentage saw a significant drop, below 15 percent. While the average of women in positions in Europe rose to 30, ours fell below 15. This is a disbalance that is not good for the economy or society – said Majetić Pavić, adding that one of the goals of the mentoring program was to bring benefits but also to empower women, and that the main role of a mentor is to pass on their knowledge and experience to someone else.

As part of the conference, a panel was held featuring Mihael Furjan, the CEO of Pliva Hrvatska and a member of the HUP Council, who acted as a mentor in the program, mentor Maša Smokrović, owner and director of the ‘Helena Smokrović’ Home Health Care and Rehabilitation Institution and a member of the HUP Supervisory Board, and two mentees Antonija Mužević from PBZ and lawyer Ana Vrsaljko Metelko.

– The fact is that as a society and as companies, we would be more successful if we had balance in top management, and that is why I wanted to contribute to this project – said Furjan.

Maša Smokrović added that she gladly accepted the invitation to be a mentor because everyone starting on a business path must know they are not alone.

– I feel an obligation to pass on my knowledge and to support those in need – said Smokrović.

Mentees Antonija Mužević and Ana Vrsaljko Metelko agreed that this was an excellent opportunity to gain accumulated experiences, advice, and practical knowledge from experienced mentors that they can apply in developing their business paths, and that this was also an opportunity for mentors to significantly influence the personal and professional development of those with whom they are in a mentoring relationship.

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Panel: Maša Smokrović, Ana Vrsaljko Metelko, Mihael Furjan, Antonija Mužević i Carmen Majetić Pavić

photo Ratko Mavar

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As part of the event, a ceremonial awarding of certificates to the mentees who participated in the HUP mentoring program was also held.

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