This article is written by Lucia Klestincova, empowering emerging leaders to create meaningful impact, as EU policymaker, speaker, coach, author and podcast host.

Which value would you choose as a guiding principle to underpin your service?

What is your go-to-restart when times are good, and the challenges of the world that serve as a fuel igniting new possibilities? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, what do you turn to in times of burnout, trauma, or just endless “can’t-do” saboteurs in your way?

Of course there is no one right choice. We could spend lifetimes studying the recipes for success as suggested by the personal development industry.

I doubt there is one single principle that would be the main determinant of career success on the European policymaking stage. But I am sure there is one which you can claim as yours.

Anchored deep in your life story, this can function as a daily reminder of what you stand for and a source of that extra boost which makes you what you are known for.

Expansion. Flow. Self-expression. Vulnerability. Intrapreneurship.

There are dozens more of such motivational words I’ve identified with professionals serving in and around the European institutions. What do these words awaken in you as your possible signature?

My experience of coaching emerging leaders committed to social change shows that it can be quite a transformative exercise — bringing out long-forgotten memories of highs and lows but also powerful insights into how to shape your next career move.

Over the past year, I posed the same question to the leaders (warriors / servants / changemakers, or whatever word empowers you) serving the European Union in the so-called Brussels bubble.

It started as a mission to shine more light on the human story behind the story of the EU-creation process. It evolved into a beautiful series of interviews packed with inspiring stories, breakthrough ideas and challenging suggestions for the very personal work that many of us feel called to embrace.

Somewhere along the way we forgot to check in with [the EU's] creators, to inquire about the smallprint that drives their choices

Don’t be surprised by the proportion of female guests. My personal stand for pioneering more feminine leadership in the public service space makes my platform a natural magnet for many heroines with fascinating life and leadership stories such as:

  • How COVID-19 lockdown taught many women to set their boundaries and show up as more active leaders against violence in their community.

  • Practices which allow you to re-discover your voice and make your message land as you desire.

  • How we can normalise the conversation about mental illness.

  • How a burnout experience can make you stronger in showing up as a feminine leader in a male dominated world, empowering more women to show up?

This is my contribution to shifting the conversation from the “What” to the “Who” is “the EU”. I believe we became too obsessed with what the policy is about. Somewhere along the way we forgot to check in with its creators, to inquire about the smallprint that drives their choices.

No wonder public service careers are by far not as good in attracting the best talent. No wonder so many people despise the bureaucracy, check out of the democratic processes, and sabotage projects that require collective collaboration.

As Leonard Cohen once said: “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

My greatest passion is to shine more light on those who already radiate new values through the work they do for Europe.

If you are curious to find out more, please order my book with the best of these interviews and bonus reflections on the values guiding careers of leaders who shine Lights on Europe.

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