“We need more leaders like you. With you, I can just be myself. I know you’ll listen without judgment and I feel truly supported.” - told a colleague to Eva Kunczicky, Managing Director and Founder of the EVA Transformational Leadership Institute.
Through the years, Eva received many similar compliments. At first, she felt flattered, then she began reflecting—what was she doing differently?
“I realized that qualities like empathy, openness, and fostering a space for dialogue were not universal leadership traits. These conversations became my catalyst to create my own company. My dream is for tomorrow’s leadership to be different: one that unites purpose, heart, and mind, values each person’s strengths, and moves beyond fear and competition.” - Eva shares.
“This vision led to my Strategic Leadership Compass. The compass revolves around three core aspects: orientation, clarity, and purpose. At its heart lies the “why”—our purpose. Surrounding it are the “what” and the “how.” Simple yet powerful, this compass has already inspired growth and joy in organizations.”
So let’s take a look at the leadership compass, whether for inspiration, a specific challenge, or guiding transformation together.
start with why
The core of Eva’s leadership philosophy begins with 'why' — understanding the deeper purpose behind every action and decision.
For Eva, leadership is not merely about directing others but about nurturing a shared vivid vision that inspires and motivates. The 'why' in her Strategic Leadership Compass is about embedding a sense of purpose in all organizational activities, ensuring that every team member not only understands the company's goals but feels intrinsically motivated to contribute. This focus on purpose helps align individual aspirations with organizational objectives, creating a harmonious work environment that transcends traditional metrics of success.
“Understanding your "why" is not just critical for organizations—it’s even more vital on a personal level. Take a moment to reflect: how many of you could confidently name your life’s purpose and pursue it without hesitation? For me, the journey of uncovering and embracing my own purpose has been transformative. It has brought an entirely new depth to my life, along with a profound sense of clarity, unstoppable drive, and boundless energy to move forward toward my "why." reflects Eva.
Wouldn’t you like to discover your own "why" and, with it, unlock the energy and focus to truly thrive?
To get closer with your why, you could reflect on the following 6 questions:
What is my personal life purpose?
What motivates me to lead?
What legacy do I want to leave behind in my organization, industry or business?
How does my personal purpose align with the mission of my organization?
When do I feel most fulfilled in my role as a leader?
Who or what am I ultimately serving through my leadership?
continue with what
Once the purpose is clarified, it’s time for the “what”. Defining the "what" involves crafting a vivid vision that clearly articulates the desired future state of the organization. This vision serves as a compelling narrative, inspiring alignment and guiding efforts toward a shared purpose. It goes beyond setting mere objectives by painting a clear and motivating picture of what success looks like, resonating deeply with the organization’s core purpose. This clarity helps in eliminating ambiguities and focuses the team’s energy on specific outcomes. Whether it's driving innovation, enhancing customer satisfaction, or improving operational efficiencies, each goal is aligned with the vivid vision and overarching purpose, ensuring that every task contributes meaningfully to the bigger picture.
To illustrate how her personal vision has been a cornerstone in navigating challenging decisions, Eva shares a compelling anecdote from her professional journey with us: “There was a time when I held three critical roles simultaneously, each carrying immense responsibility for both people and business. After seven years as Regional Director, I had consistently overdelivered on budget targets, built two new companies, and transformed a reactive service model into a proactive one. I’d also established the Culture Committee at Kardex, which introduced company-wide coffee chats with our C-level leaders and advanced our engagement survey. We even convinced the CEO to dedicate a new position to internal communications.
But I knew it was time to take my next step. This realization kept me up at night until I finally asked myself three crucial questions: What do I hold onto? What do I let go of? What do I begin?
The answer? I passed on my role in the Culture Committee, sped up hiring for my other responsibilities, and dedicated myself to my long-term vision of founding my own company. With this clarity, I approached the CEO. To my surprise, he encouraged me to pursue my vision sooner and offered a unique collaboration! This was my breakthrough.
"When you’re guided by your values and vision, clarity within brings clarity without. Decisions open doors—so take the leap."
To get closer to the what part of the compass reflect on the following 5 questions:
What future do I envision for my team or organization, and how does it inspire collective growth?
How can our communication and collaboration reflect and reinforce the vision we aim to achieve?
What values and principles should guide our actions and interactions as we work toward this vision?
How can I, as a leader, foster self-reflection to ensure alignment with the vision on both a personal and team level?
What unique dynamics within our team can we leverage to make this vision a reality?
elaborate on the how
It is often the HOW that makes all the difference!
The 'how' of the Strategic Leadership Compass revolves around the strategies and processes put in place that bring a vivid vision to life.
This involves fostering an open dialogue within teams, encouraging innovative thinking, and creating an inclusive culture that values every individual’s strengths and insights. Central to this approach is the commitment to creating win-win-win outcomes—beneficial for the team, the organization, and the broader community. By anchoring decisions in shared values and tapping into intuition as a guiding force, leaders can navigate complexity with clarity and inspire transformative progress.
Eva emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional competitive instincts to a more collaborative and supportive approach. Implementing these strategies involves continuous learning, adaptation, and a commitment to personal and professional growth within the organization.
But what does this look like in practice? Eva’s own experiences as a leader provide concrete examples of how these principles come to life. This is one:
“We’ve all encountered those “serious” managers, who believe professionalism requires somberness. When I was around 30, leading my first team, I brought joy and laughter to the office. One colleague even reported to our boss that I was “not serious enough.” Fortunately, my boss recognized my contributions and never let this perception hold me back.
Humor has well-documented benefits. Laughter releases endorphins that build emotional bonds, spark creativity, boost productivity, and promote well-being. Humor also diffuses tense situations and keeps us grounded. Let’s bring more laughter into leadership. Healthier, more successful workplaces will follow!” - Eva shares
To translate the "”how” into actionable strategies, start by reflecting on these five key questions:
How can I co-create a culture that values collaboration and innovation?
What processes or habits can I introduce to ensure continuous learning and adaptation?
How do I ensure that every team member feels empowered to contribute their unique strengths?
What communication methods will help maintain clarity and alignment within my team?
How can I lead by example to inspire trust and openness in my organization?
wrap up
The Strategic Leadership Compass is more than a tool—it’s a mindset shift for leaders aiming to co-create a purpose-driven, people-centered approach. By anchoring leadership in the ‘why,’ clearly defining the ‘what,’ and thoughtfully navigating the ‘how,’ Eva’s framework empowers leaders to thrive with a vivid vision, intention and authenticity.
This compass isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level strategies; it’s about committing to long-term growth and genuine connection within teams. Leaders who embrace this approach inspire trust, unlock potential, and guide their organizations toward meaningful impact. Whether you’re leading a small team or steering an entire organization, the compass serves as a steady guide, reminding you of the importance of purpose and alignment in every decision.
Take a moment to reflect: What drives your leadership? What outcomes are you striving for? And how are you achieving them? By integrating these elements into your leadership practice, you’ll create not only better results but also stronger, more inspired teams.
Purpose-driven leadership starts with intentional steps. Are you ready to take the first one?
about Eva:
Eva is a results-driven leader with a passion for creating meaningful change. With extensive international experience in matrix organizations and intercultural management, she excels at guiding companies through dynamic transitions while keeping people and sustainable success at the forefront.
Eva's unique strength lies in building genuine win-win-win relationships that drive long-term success. As an executive coach and mentor, she empowers leaders to embrace authentic leadership, and as a keynote speaker, she inspires audiences with her insights on leadership, transformation, and navigating change effectively. Her heart and dedication make her an impactful force in fostering growth and innovation.
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