As part of the “Let’s make Women Leadership trendy” initiative by the Hungarian Association of Executives, InStyle magazine recently published a short interview and portrait video with Judit Zolnay, our Faculty member and CEO of Metlife in Hungary and Bulgaria.
Hereby, we share the full interview by InStyle magazine (translated to English).
If you would like to read the original article in Hungarian, please click here!
Have you had a role model, a person who you could follow or who inspired you throughout your life?
At the beginning of my career, Dr. Ilona Hardy was a defining inspiration for me; as the first managing director of the Budapest Stock Exchange, I was happy to identify with her unquestionable knowledge, elegant appearance and well-balanced personality, and her example set a professional direction for me to follow.
Later I met Katalin Ránky, who inspired me as a leader. As a real woman, a mother, she showed determination, business confidence and sympathetic boldness. I also try to learn from Borbála Czakó the calm personality, the brilliant network building skills and her diplomatic knowledge in a good sense.
What do you think, which personal qualities do you owe to become a leader?
Hard-working, risk-taking and persevering; these qualities were undoubtedly necessary throughout my career.
Beside the dominant male leadership patterns in the financial sector, it helped me to create the impression of a kind, well-mannered woman at first sight, which coupled with determination and a willingness to fight, framed by a “how-yes-together” approach.
My flexibility and trust in people also help me while I work abroad.
