Name: MARALGÜL

Title: LAWYER

Organisation: ANKARA BAR ASSOCIATION

My name is Maral Erol, I am an International Lawyer, Sworn Translator, Certification Specialist who is successfully completed Lead Auditor ISO 9001, 45001, 27001 Courses. I am a Human Rights defender. I speak moe than 4 languages. I have work experience since 2012 and I am a Lawyer since 2019. I am a sister, daughter, granddaughter and the bride to be.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Maral's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

It was difficult to rely only on yourself. It was difficult to carry out monotonous work that would lead, in small steps, but to the goal, day after day. It was difficult to take responsibility for others. It was scary to go into the unknown, into the new, to go through the darkness of doubt, behind the only light of my hope, faith and purpose.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I had no other choice. I grew up in the quiet city of Ashgabat, in Turkmenistan. And since childhood I have been a fighter for justice. Unfortunately, I have had seen so much injustice in my life, in lives others. I always had the courage to lead my friends at school events, then life taught me to take responsibility for my family. After that, I learned to be a leader in business, in my work. Now, here in Turkiye, as a Lawyer, I have the honour to provide legal advice, people all over the world.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I try to wake up early in the morning, every day.

My day begins with waking up, then planning my work schedule for the day, week, and sometimes for a month, in the morning silence, with a cup of aromatic coffee.

I literally read a few pages from the current book as the morning workload allows.

I am currently reading “Napoleon Hill -- Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness.” book.

Waking up early, planning your day, concentrating your thoughts on your goals and having a pleasant monologue with a book have a positive effect on success and make people more friendly.

I work all day long. I focus on spending every minute of my day productively and completing the tasks I planned.

During my rest breaks in the afternoon and evening, I really try to rest well and deeply, doing something I love, something that inspires me, or by doing nothing at all.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Allow others to help you, but always rely solely on yourself - the castles others built for you may be made of sand.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

«Dale Carnegie —How to Win Friends & Influence People. » — It was a warm June day in 2014, after I graduated from the High School and realized that only the way of thinking separates me from more successful people. My grandfather Roman, Professor at the Turkmen State University, recommended me to read this book. This is how I began my journey of personal growth. This book helped me connect with the people around me at the University and taught me how to be a leader without belittling other people.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Don’t be afraid of being yourself. You are unique in your own way, keep on going, don’t try to put your personality into already known standards, try to create your own ones.

Be respectful all the way. Believe in your power.

Everything will be ok, just, sometimes you don't know, what’s is really ok for you. Trust the process but be awake!

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

I would like to share a lesson that I have learned over the past 5 years of working with people.

I came across different people from all over the world, each culture may have its own concepts, in business as in life the most important thing is to find common ground, because we are all human, and in fact many of us want similar things; living in peace, being understood, being successful.

Try to improve relationships with partners , rather than strain them.

If it still doesn’t work out, then don’t deal with people who don’t strive for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Follow your way!

Thank You for your attention, Lawyer Maral EROL.