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We are proud to share that our Senior Fellow and Sarajevo Fellowship Committee member, Isa Zuhrić, recently took the red circle at TEDxSarajevo, delivering a talk that resonated deeply with young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina. A youth leader speaking to youth, Isa brought a powerful message about purpose, community, and redefining what leadership truly means.
In his talk, “Why – the most important question for a leader,” Isa challenges the traditional framing of leadership as a title or status. Instead, he takes the audience on a personal and inspiring journey—from volunteering in mountain rescue missions to reflecting on student networks and global figures of change—to show that leadership begins with purpose, not position.
“What makes someone a leader?” he asks. “A title—or something else?”
Drawing from his own experiences, he reminds us that real leadership looks like showing up for others, especially when there is no reward attached. It looks like volunteers waking up at midnight to rescue hikers. It looks like community, shared mission, and mutual accountability. It looks like people who choose to be there—driven by belief, not hierarchy.
Isa’s message is simple and profound:
Leadership is not something you chase. It is something you grow into.
Whether you are leading a team, a project, a community, or your own personal growth, Isa invites you to ask the most important question first: Why am I doing this? Because when your actions are rooted in purpose, people don’t follow you because they have to—they follow because they want to.
His talk is a reminder that:
- Purpose inspires action
- Community fuels commitment
- Accountability strengthens trust
- And leadership lives in everyday choices
At a time when young people often feel pressure to “be leaders” without understanding what leadership really represents, Isa offers clarity, honesty, and a path forward grounded in empathy and intention.
We are grateful to have leaders like Isa in our community—leaders who inspire not with titles, but with purpose.
