I look forward to the day you become president of the federation then! The more I have gotten to know you Emre, the more I see how your leadership is helping the people of Turkey. In your opinion, what makes a good leader? What does good leadership mean? How can someone's wisdom be heard?
A good leader is like the maestro of an orchestra. He/she always increase the quality of the people that he/she works with, and plays the most difficult pieces just like a popular song with joy, comfort, and harmony.
A good leader never raises his/her voice but must raise his/her words. A good leader always chooses the right battlefield and, never exchanges old friends with new people. The enemy can hardly be a friend, but he/she must be aware that negligence can make a friend an enemy one day.
Brilliant metaphor and I agree 100%. What would you say have been some of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
I think the day that I was appointed as Professor. I was the youngest Professor in economics in the Turkish republic history so far, and still, no one has beaten that record. I have done so much in my life, I had so many important duties but this was the best achievement of my life, of course after being the “father” of two wonderful sons.
I love hearing the different reasons as to why people do what they do, so Emre, why do you continue doing what you do? What drives you?
Because I dare to do everything and I love to learn every day. That’s why I choose this path and this gives me a reason to live.
Based on your social channels, I can see you are a big rock music fan and you even play the guitar, where does the love for music come from?
My father was a great musician but everybody knew him as a great economist.
He was a writer and the composer of many pieces, but he was using a nickname. I found many of his works after he passed away in his library. I also found the love letters of my mother and father, encrypted with musical notes.
Eventually, we have a musical family background. I started to play guitar when I was 13 at home, then we form a band called “Mad Madame”. This turned to “Fly” after 3 years, I was playing bass guitar. The drummer and I would choose another path like being a scientist and the other part of the group continued with music and today their name is “Duman”. Probably the best rock band that Turkey has had so far.
Today I’m playing rhythm guitar and my aim is to be a regular composer, like my father.