As advocacy coordinator for ADRA Europe, Maja Ahac oversees the communication and advocacy work of 30 ADRA offices across Europe. She describes the role she’s held since October as representing “oppressed and marginalized people and … actively standing against injustice.”
In her own words, the former country director for Slovenia offered four leadership lessons she’s learned, writing from her new home in Belgium:
On Growth: "There is no appropriate time to give up; time is always right to survive and even thrive. I have been developing my character and leadership through hard times, challenges, and obstacles, never during good and easy times."
On Purpose: "In my early 20s I was given one of the best pieces of advice, to refocus my life’s perspective from me and my comfort zone to God and His calling for my life (which is, by the way, way out of my own comfort zone). I am now living God’s dreams for my life and I enjoy it so much."
On Leadership: "I wanted everyone to see me as a strong, independent woman, who is tough, never tired, does not need anything or anyone — a superwoman. I was playing this role for a long time. Then, I got sick, really sick. I think leaders, especially women, need to stop playing this 'super human' role. We are just people. We sweat. We question ourselves. We make mistakes. … We embarrass ourselves. And, it is OK to let others know that we as leaders are also humans. It is ok to be vulnerable. It is OK to be 'just' me."
On Self: "My biggest personal struggle is loving and accepting myself. I am my biggest critic and I am never good enough in my own eyes. I am fighting the perfectionist in me and meeting every person's expectations. I cannot meet every person’s expectations, so I am trying to please God alone."
