Future Leadership Takes Center Stage at the Lead to the Top Conference
July 8, 2026
The second Lead to the Top conference, organized by the Lead.You Association, was held in Zagreb, once again bringing together business leaders and experts who shared personal experiences, challenges and practical insights on how to remain a relevant leader in a time of continuous change. This year’s conference was held under the theme Reinventing Leadership, emphasizing that adaptability has become one of the most critical leadership competencies.
The comprehensive conference program featured a series of inspiring discussions, panel sessions and presentations dedicated to modern leadership. Participants explored topics including leadership reinvention, change management, adaptability in uncertain environments, organizational and people development, as well as the importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer.
The conference opened with a Leader to Leader conversation between Siniša Krajnović, PhD, President of the Management Board of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, and Anita Letica, President of the Management Board of Philip Morris Zagreb. During an open and insightful discussion, the two experienced leaders shared their professional and personal experiences, as well as their perspectives on leading large organizations, personal decisions and leadership development.
Photography: Lukša Marotti i Robert Gašpert
Reflecting on his career, Siniša Krajnović spoke about the extensive international experience he gained through working and living in several countries around the world, as well as the reasons behind his return to Croatia. He noted that the opportunity to lead Ericsson Nikola Tesla represented a unique professional challenge and an opportunity to apply the experience acquired internationally within the company where he began his professional career.
When asked what is required to successfully lead large organizations, Krajnović emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with highly skilled professionals and experts in their respective fields. He identified two key elements of successful leadership: clearly defined responsibilities and shared values such as integrity, respect, ethical conduct and teamwork, supported by a clear strategy that serves as a guiding framework for the organization. In his view, the combination of a clear vision and the empowerment of people represents the formula for long-term success.
During the discussion, conference participants also gained insights into the transition from an expert to a leadership mindset. Trust in the team, effective delegation of responsibilities and empowering individuals emerged as essential components of successful leadership. Krajnović particularly emphasized that a leader’s success should not be measured by the number of people they have managed, but by the number of new leaders they have developed.