Meet A WINner: Eylem Samland

Meet a WINNer,  Eylem Samland, a member of our Germany Circle. Eylem is the Managing Director of mibeTech in Berlin, leading a team of 30, producing medical equipment. She has a long FMCG and Consumer Health Care background, and spiced-up health-tech start-up experience.

We thank Eylem for this interview and her contributions to TurkishWIN. 

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

Do not lower your expectations!

One thing you wish you had known earlier in your career.

If you strive for perfection, you will lose.

What is the most courageous thing you have ever done?

Quit my corporate job and try the start-up world.

If you could have any three people (dead or alive) over for dinner – who would they be?

Maya Angelou, Ruth Bade Ginsburg, Steve Jobs.

Name a book you read that positively shaped you.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell.

You believe in sisterhood at work because…

Only together we are stronger! In a world where equality and diversity are still being discussed, where women are still seen as weaker than leaders vs men, where boardrooms are still filled with men, where little girls are still taken from schools and getting married, we can only raise our voice and show our power if we stand together. If we do not support each other, cherish each other, and celebrate success together, we waste an outstanding chance of using our power and wisdom for good!

Who are your role models?

Rather than role models, I am very much inspired by Sheryl Sandberg, Jay Shetty, and Sanna Marin.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Make everyone in the world feminist.

Share a story about a time when you were really proud of your achievement.

That time is when I was promoted within six months from Business Unit Head to Managing Director position. I was really proud of myself because despite my biggest question mark at the early times in my role, "Can I really become a general manager?" I slowly start building my powerhouse and saying, "I can do this!" once I realize that dedication and passion is the only thing you need to achieve anything in life. And once you realize that, the sky is your limit.

Share a story about a time when you recovered from a great mistake.

When I was fired for the first and only time in my life, I questioned myself, my skills, how it could have turned it the other way around....and many more... and I did not discuss those insecurities with anyone because I think it would show me as weak.
Thanks to the executive coaching program that I completed at the same time, I could reconnect with myself, and I was able to ground myself and define my value as a person and as a leader. I have focused on learning rather than insecurities. Once you are clear on who you are, what you want to achieve and why is it important for you, the rest follows.

Your advice to the next generation of career women from your learnings.

Compete with yourself every day. Nobody can be you, and you cannot be someone else. Try to be a better person and leader every single day. Find every day and every week something that excites you and motivates you. Be kind and caring.

Do you have any pets?

No, but I had a cat and now planning to get one for my daughter.

Describe yourself as a teenager in 3 words.

Ambitious, energetic, and problem-solver.

What’s in your handbag right now? What are your absolute must-haves in travels?

Purse, make-up bag, keys, sunscreen, sunglasses, and apple. Must haves: headphones, sunscreen, sunglasses 😎

Last book you read or are reading now.

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer.

If you had a time machine, to which era would you want to travel in time? Past or future and why?

When Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic and united the nation because I would love to understand how he managed it when there were many challenges - cultural, economical, and external factors.

If you weren’t in your industry – what would you be doing?

Musician.

What’s on your playlist right now?

Cry – Cigarettes After Sex.

If your house was on fire, what two things would you run back in to get?

If it were objects-definitely my phone and my glasses /lenses.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Brad Pitt :)

What's your favorite thing in your closet right now?

My fake leather jacket :)

You have a car trip from İstanbul to Bodrum. Choose a famous person to join you and tell us why!

Dogan Cüceloglu.

You are walking on the street and suddenly, you come across Mona Lisa. What do you do?

Touch her face and hair.