The First Female Mukthar: Gül Esin

At the time, in the village of Demircidere, part of Karpuzlu in Aydın, elections were held with the participation of all men and women eligible to vote. Nearly 500 villagers gathered in the village association at the republic square to cast their votes. Among eight candidates for the position of mukthar, Gül Esin was the sole female contender. While her election symbolized the revolutionary image of women, other factors contributed significantly to her success. She was deeply respected and admired by the villagers and was literate in an era when even most men struggled with basic reading and writing skills. This example was a historic milestone, demonstrating that women could take on leading roles not only in politics but also in local governance, proving that leadership transcends gender.

Even today, this step, which paved the way for women to represent the people as mayors, village heads, parliamentarians, ministers, and even prime ministers, continues to fill us with pride 90 years later. It also imposes a responsibility on us to act in the spirit of this great vision. Gül Esin was, of course, just one example of her time. Countless other women have taken brave steps in various fields to ensure that women secure their rightful place in society. We must remember that December 5, 1934, is not merely a date; it remains a source of inspiration for building a more equitable future and reminds us of an ongoing struggle.

Inspiration for the Future

As we commemorate December 5, 1934, I am not merely celebrating the success of a decision made long ago. I am also reflecting on our responsibilities for today and the future. The philosophy behind this reform went beyond addressing the needs of its time—it offered all of us a vision for the future. I believe that ensuring women take their rightful place in society, politics, and every field is not just about empowering half of a society but about advancing the entire society. Doesn’t Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s statement, “A society that keeps its women behind is doomed to remain behind,” still light our way today?

From my perspective, the courageous step taken on December 5, 1934, continues to serve as an inspiration not just for Türkiye but for the shared history of the world. For instance, Italy and France took this step only in 1944, a full decade after Türkiye, and Switzerland, from which we adopted our civil code, granted women the same right only in 1971, 37 years after Atatürk’s decision. This is a tangible testament to the visionary nature of Atatürk’s reforms. To understand and uphold this vision is not only a tribute to the past but also a responsibility that reinforces my belief in a more equal and modern future. Today, by following the path paved by this bold step, let us become guiding examples for future generations and work together to build a brighter future.

In addition to these challenges, our youth find themselves lost in the labyrinth of the digital world, where the constant flow of information and endless notifications create a unique kind of stress—what I would call “digiweigh.” It’s the silent burden that comes from managing multiple digital tools, platforms, and technologies, all demanding attention and leaving us feeling overwhelmed and drained.

The impact of wars and conflicts also weighs heavily on mental health, not only for those directly affected but also for those who witness these crises from afar, adding to a sense of instability, insecurity, and helplessness. In Turkey, this is further compounded by our own realities—high inflation and the rising cost of living make everyday life a struggle for many young people. Faced with difficult choices, they wonder whether to stay home or seek new opportunities abroad, questioning whether the promises of another country are truly as bright as they seem.

Today, I want to remind them—and all of us—that while life may present many problems, it also invites us to solve them. As Karl Popper once said, “We are all inclined to think that things will continue to go wrong in the way they have gone wrong in the past. But it is precisely in these moments that we can learn to look for new ways to make them go right.”

Hope is not a passive state but an active pursuit. It lies in seeking alternatives, in finding support from those around us, and in realizing that the struggle for a better tomorrow begins with the smallest of steps today. It’s okay to feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or even disheartened by the state of the world and the digital chaos that surrounds us. But let’s remember that with every challenge comes the potential for change, growth, and new beginnings.

Our youth are not alone in this journey. Together, we can build a society where mental health is understood, where empathy guides our actions, and where hope drives us forward, even in the face of adversity.

Let’s continue to listen, to support, and to walk this path of resilience together.

Be Well: It’s Personal

Being well is about taking proactive steps to safeguard your own health and well-being. It’s about recognizing that your ability to contribute meaningfully to your work and community is directly tied to how well you take care of yourself. In a time when discussions around health and safety are more prevalent than ever, this aspect becomes all the more personal and urgent. It’s a reminder that self-care is not an option; it’s a necessity.

Work Well: It’s Collective

On the flip side, working well is about us as a collective. It’s about creating an environment where safety isn’t just a requirement but a shared commitment. It’s about collaboration and innovation, striving for better and safer ways to achieve our goals. But this collective effort is challenged by the double-edged sword of technology. While technology has the potential to make us safer, its unethical use can put us all at risk. 

The Essence of Zero Tolerance

Interestingly, our tolerance for safety varies greatly. We should approach safety with the same level of protectiveness as we do with our families, adopting a stance of zero tolerance towards potential risks. Nothing is worth risking human lives, not timelines, not profits, not convenience.

The Paradox of Progress

Today, we find ourselves in a paradox where the abundance of conversations around safety contrasts sharply with the persistence of risks at every turn. Technology should be a tool for enhancing our safety, but when misused, it jeopardizes the very fabric of our well-being. This contradiction serves as a stark reminder that the journey towards a safer world begins with us, with each individual’s commitment to not turn a blind eye to the dangers that lurk.

For me, this is personal. It’s about starting within ourselves to be responsible individuals, recognizing that each action we take has the potential to either safeguard or endanger. As we commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, let’s embrace the “Be Well + Work Well” ethos, not just as a principle for today but as a lifelong commitment. Let’s work together to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in safe and healthy environments.

Despite the rapid digitalization that has characterized the past few decades, analog technology has not only remained relevant but has also maintained its essential significance. From the warmth of vinyl records to the tactile feedback of mechanical watches, analog technologies offer a richness of experience that their digital counterparts attempt to emulate but cannot fully capture. This combination of physicality and functionality speaks to something fundamentally human—an appreciation for the tangible and the authentic. Notably, in the world of music, vinyl records stand out not just for their nostalgic value but also for how they are used by DJs to create innovative musical experiences by blending them with digital technologies. DJs mix the warmth and tactile experience of analog with the flexibility and innovation provided by digital technology, elevating music to a new dimension. This is just one example of how analog and digital technologies can coexist and create a powerful synergy.

My recent exploration of the analog world through Irene Vallejo’s “Papyrus” and Caroline Weaver’s “The Pencil Perfect” has rekindled an appreciation for the enduring legacy of analog devices and technology. These readings not only enriched my understanding but also illuminated the intricate interplay between the analog and digital realms.

“Papyrus” unravels the history of the written word and its profound impact on human civilization, reminding us of the tangible legacy of knowledge and culture. Vallejo’s exploration into the ancient world of scrolls and manuscripts underscores the physicality of communication, an aspect that digitalization tends to overshadow.

In parallel, “The Pencil Perfect” by Caroline Weaver delves into the humble pencil’s journey, a quintessential analog tool, highlighting its unassuming yet pivotal role in creativity and innovation. Weaver’s narrative brings to light how simple analog tools like the pencil continue to shape ideas and seamlessly bridge the gap between the tangible and the digital.

This newfound perspective was a revelation. In recent years, my immersion in digital learning and discourse inadvertently led me to overlook the analog foundation that underpins our digital advancements. The realization struck that the digital world is not a replacement but rather an extension of the analog. Each enhances and depends on the other for depth, context, and innovation.

This reflection serves as an invitation to explore the symbiotic relationship between analog and digital technologies more deeply. How do these realms coexist, complement, and mutually influence our experiences and understanding of the world?

As we continue to forge ahead in the digital age, let us not overlook the analog roots that connect us to a rich heritage of knowledge, creativity, and human interaction. The tactile pleasure of turning the pages of a book, the immediacy of jotting down a thought with pencil on paper, are experiences that digital technology seeks to emulate but cannot wholly replicate. In the years ahead, it’s crucial that we deepen our understanding of how manual and digital tasks differently impact neurological functions.

In our quest to embrace the future, we should not forget the lessons and legacies of the past. Analog technologies, with their tactile richness and human-centric design, remind us that progress isn’t solely about speed or efficiency but also about depth and texture in our daily experiences.

Let’s engage in a conversation about the significant role of analog technology in our increasingly digital world. By acknowledging and valuing our analog past, we pave the way for a more integrated, meaningful future where digital and analog technologies enrich our lives in concert.

This note is not only a reflection but also a call to action for deeper appreciation and exploration of the analog underpinnings in our digital lives. It aims to spark dialogue, inspire further exploration, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the interplay between analog and digital, thereby enhancing our experiences and enriching our understanding of the world around us.

It is with a sense of dismay that I observe the ongoing strife in our world—wars predominantly instigated by men, societal abuses largely perpetrated by men, and criminal behaviors overwhelmingly committed by men. These observations are not merely coincidental but reflective of a profound imbalance in leadership and societal norms that have far-reaching consequences.

The essence of Women’s Day, to me, is a poignant reminder of the urgent need for a diverse spectrum of leadership. Women are not just participants in this dialogue; they are quintessential to the solution. Their unique perspectives, empathy, and resilience are indispensable in tackling the complex challenges of our time. Yet, their potential remains grossly underutilized, hindered by outdated stereotypes and gender roles.

It is imperative that we rethink the way we raise our children. Boys should not be groomed into the archetypal warriors of yesteryears, but rather, as champions for peace, harmony, and respect—especially towards women. Similarly, girls should not be molded to conform to passive roles but encouraged to stand, speak, and act with confidence, as equals in every respect.

Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it is a clarion call for introspection and action. It beckons us to challenge the status quo, to envision a world where gender does not dictate one’s worth or potential. On this day, let us recommit to fostering an environment that nurtures equality, where every child can aspire to be more than the constraints of traditional gender roles.

Let this day serve as a reminder that the path to a more equitable society begins with us—through the values we instill in the next generation, the examples we set, and the voices we amplify. Together, we can reshape perceptions, challenge injustices, and pave the way for a future where Women’s Day is not just a commemoration but a testament to true gender parity achieved.

The importance of ethics cannot be overstated in a world where injustice and the erosion of moral compasses often headline our news. The roots of such injustices lie deep within a society that sometimes veers away from ethical conduct, leading to widespread ramifications that affect trust, equality, and the welfare of communities. A culture steeped in denial about these issues only exacerbates the problem, hindering progress toward a more just and equitable society.

Ethics, with its many dynamics, does not exist in a vacuum. It begins at home, in the way we conduct ourselves and the examples we set for our children. Our actions serve as raw models, teaching the next generation about responsibility, respect, and the importance of making choices that benefit not just ourselves but those around us and the environment we share. Acting responsibly and ethically is a lesson best learned through observation and practice, making the family an essential ground for cultivating values that contribute to the betterment of society at large.

However, the responsibility does not end with personal and family dynamics; it extends into every interaction and decision we make. This month reminds us that ethical behavior is not just a global issue to be acknowledged once a year but a personal commitment to integrity and righteousness in our daily lives. Each of us can contribute to a more ethical world through small, responsible behaviors—choosing honesty over deceit, kindness over indifference, and justice over inequality.

Global Ethics Month is not merely a period of reflection but a call to action. It challenges us to examine our values and align our actions accordingly, to move beyond a culture of denial and towards one of acknowledgment and improvement. It’s a reminder that ethics is not a distant concept reserved for philosophers and academics but a living, breathing aspect of everyday life that each of us owns and shapes.

As we mark this significant month, let’s commit to being agents of ethical change, in our homes, communities, and the wider world. After all, the journey towards a more ethical society begins with us, one responsible choice at a time.

Have you ever encountered the term “Normative Dynamism”? This concept might sound academic, but it plays a crucial role in our everyday life, particularly in how we perceive and interact with rules.

At its heart, Normative Dynamism emphasizes the importance of understanding and living by rules, rather than just creating them and burying them in long, complicated guidelines that few read or remember. It’s not just about having rules; it’s about making sure these rules make sense, are known, and are integrated into our daily actions.

Imagine a company handbook filled with dozens of pages of rules. How many employees genuinely know these rules by heart, let alone understand their purpose? Now, contrast this with a workplace where rules are clear, explained, and discussed openly. Employees in this environment are more likely to follow these rules because they understand their value and impact.

Consider a simple rule like “Keep your workspace tidy.” If this rule is buried in a manual, it’s easily forgotten. But if it’s part of a workplace culture where everyone understands that a tidy space leads to better productivity and a more pleasant work environment, it becomes a lived principle, not just a written one.

This approach goes beyond mere compliance. It fosters an environment where rules are a shared responsibility and a common understanding, not just a list of dos and don’ts. It encourages everyone to think about why rules exist and how they can be applied effectively in everyday scenarios.

In summary, Normative Dynamism is about bridging the gap between setting rules and actually living them. It’s about creating a culture where rules are not just written in handbooks but are part of our daily understanding and behavior. This approach not only makes rules more effective but also ensures they are relevant, fair, and adaptable to our ever-changing world.

Many things have changed in our lives with the outbreak of the pandemic. We have started using many new digital applications and platforms in this period. Likewise, the ways we meet and come together have changed. Our way of working has evolved into a hybrid model where we work from home on certain days of the week, and at the office or in environments that are fit for working on others. Are we more productive? Time will tell, but for sure we need to remain open minded and experiment with the NEW opportunities the change brings.

The hybrid working model offers more flexibility to employees where and how to work and becomes a main lever for the often-talked work-life balance aspect. The perspective of this working model is shaped by many factors from the employee’s personality and family situation to the requirements of their job. In this context, a significant concept stands out: TIME. I believe that using time properly, well, and efficiently is a core element to become productive and have a well-balanced (happy) life.

Therefore, I wanted to focus on the topics of “Time, Efficiency, and Etiquette” in this article.

Let’s say you have been invited or have invited someone to a meeting. Regardless of whether it is a physical or online meeting, what does it mean to start or arrive at a meeting on time for you? If “time” is one of the most valuable assets, then we need to talk about the importance of the ‘’dos and don’ts’’ or meeting culture and etiquette at meetings at this point as well.

An efficient business meeting has a direct influence on creating value through the meeting. One of the key factors that enhance the efficiency of a meeting is propriety (good or proper behavior or manners) on the part of the participants. Just like business etiquette, meeting etiquette also encourages participants to act professionally and respectfully. Mutual courtesy holds true for everyone, anywhere and anytime, regardless of people’s positions, hierarchy, age, or gender. Yet, we sometimes witness that the aspect of courtesy is at times forgotten or ignored in today’s business world.  Let’s take the aspect of the start or join a meeting on time.

The waiting period should not exceed 15 minutes

If you have an appointment (physical or remote) and the other party is late, how long should you wait for them? Or, if you are attending a meeting, but it does not start on time? How long should be the waiting period before you politely leave a meeting which does not start on time? For me, it is 15 minutes.

Based on the experience and corporate culture I have gained as someone who has assumed various roles in 7 countries, I think that the waiting period should never exceed 15 minutes. If you have been offered no valid excuse for the delay after a 15-minute wait, politely leaving and rescheduling is the best thing to do to use your time efficiently. The key, however ‘’subject to’’ is if you have been offered no proper excuse for the delay. Surely, delays can occur due to emergencies. However, such delays should not be repeated or become a habit / standard attitude.  We should all make a point of abiding by common courtesy rules in online as well as physical meetings. I felt that highlighting once again how valuable our time is by way of this article would be beneficial. For we always aim to ensure further efficiency, quality, and professionalism, don’t we?

We fall in life so that we can learn to rise again. However, people do not want to fall as it indicates failure. When they fail, they get disappointed and therefore, afraid of admitting failures. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. Yet, most people forget about (or overlook) the fact that the road to success is filled with trial and error, setbacks and failures and they tend to celebrate success and talk about their achievements only. Nevertheless, this does not change the fact that we learn and benefit most from our failures. That is why I believe that talking about these failures, sharing these experiences and not being afraid to fail is very important. The failures we learn from are the best teachers in life.

Within Siemens, we have an open platform where we talk as much about our failures as we do about our achievements. Recently, I was invited to join a podcast for Siemens, focusing on similar lines of thought as I do. When I was asked to talk about a failure that I had and the lessons I learned from it, I thought of the experiences I had in my early 30s and now regard as failures. I realized that the most important one of these was my failure to listen. In the early years of my career, I really failed at listening to others. At the time, I believed that I could grasp issues very quickly and come up with solutions right away. I was not good at listening to those colleagues who could not immediately come up with an answer when faced with a problem. However, the reason behind this attitude was not that I had the right answer, but my failure to listen. It was back then when I learned one of the most important lessons about this matter.

In a very important meeting, we were 5 women and 5 men when our manager threw in a problem. I remember that most of the men immediately came up with answers. It was almost like a competition. We thought among ourselves that we had to immediately come up with an answer, maybe to also impress our managers with our solutions. But most of the females were just listening to really understand what the problem was, and they were listening even to our inputs. And, they analyzed the problem much better than we did. Later, we were told by our managers that most of our inputs were actually spontaneous. Although they sounded good, they did not really get into the depth of the matter. But the questions that were asked, particularly by our female colleagues, really helped us to understand the problem. While they did not come up with an answer, they asked the right questions and dug deeper into the layers within the problem itself.

During that time, I was very disappointed in myself for not having immediately grabbed that point. In order to understand a problem, you have to listen to it and ask more questions. You have to hold yourself back for a moment in order to give a chance to other people who take the matter differently -to the female colleagues in this particular case- to come up with their questions in understanding the issue much better before arriving at an answer. Today, I wish I was told about this at a much earlier point in my life. Later, I discovered that and also made it one of my key focuses. I learned that it is not coming up with a quick answer, but really listening that generates real value. I must say that I have learned so much about this from my female colleagues and I am truly grateful to them.

Listening is one of the secrets to professional and personal success. For example, when making sales, you want to sell your product or solution to the customers, maybe even convince them that what you are offering is the best. But, what the customer really wants is that you first listen to their problems and the challenges they face and then finding out about what kind of contributions you can make to solve their problems and your values regarding your collaboration. And, there is more to this. Listening is also very important in coming up with new ideas. Searching for the new requires listening to a lot of different views. Because, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new” (Dalai Lama).

What is the purpose of technology? As a matter of fact, technology itself is merely a tool and has no purpose. But, this tool is also a resource with endless possibilities; it can transform everything. In other words, we are the ones to determine what we do with technology. Therefore, it is up to us to use this tool in the best interest of our world and the people.

At Siemens, we have a clear answer to the question “what is the purpose of technology?”: to contribute to transforming the world into a better place. In order to achieve this, we focus on developing technology with purpose. Because, we can use technology to enable more happiness and freedom for ourselves, to better fight against climate change, and to live healthier lives in a better world. We can solve the world’s most pressing current problems only by using technology effectively and accurately, that is by focusing on developing technology to serve a purpose.

As Siemens, this is exactly what we do. We offer technologies to meet the most important needs of today and tomorrow. Accordingly, our activities are centered primarily around sustainability to promote “Technology with Purpose” which stands as one of our four strategic priorities.

Technology with purpose for sustainable development

Climate change, urbanization and the increasing pressure on resources continue to manifest the urgent need for sustainable development. To this end, we focus on the future of industry, infrastructure, and transportation in line with the goal of developing technologies with purpose in three areas for which sustainable development is of critical importance.

Through technology with purpose, we provide our customers with cutting-edge solutions in sustainable manufacturing and clean energy to help them improve their sustainability performance. We also take action to help meet the urgent needs of our time, as well as the those of the future. One of the recent examples of this is our collaboration with BioNTech to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible worldwide within the shortest possible amount of time. As Siemens, we provide the vaccine manufacturing facilities of BioNTech with the latest automation and digitalization technologies such as design, simulation, engineering software and process control technology to rapidly build and expand the vaccine manufacturing capacity for COVID-19. On the other hand, while we established Europe’s largest laboratory at Ankara City Hospital with our company Siemens Healthineers Turkey, our Building Technologies department operating under Smart Infrastructure built the health campus of the future in the same hospital. This smart hospital campus that is built within Ankara City Hospital and equipped with solutions developed by Siemens Healthineers and Siemens Smart Infrastructure has set a global example. These are just two of the numerous examples of “technology with purpose” we offer in line with our approach of transforming the everyday.

We Reinforce Our Focus on Sustainability through DEGREE

An Aboriginal proverb says: “Look after the land and the land will look after you; destroy the land and it will destroy you.” We know that our survival depends on nature. Wildfires, floods, droughts and many other worrisome disasters that take place in the world and in our country can be deemed as signals for us to act more responsibly. However, taking action only when faced with such disasters is not a working solution. A long-term commitment to environmentally friendly and good practices is required to prevent these disasters. We need to leave a healthy world to future generations; not a wreck.

Technology is the greatest driver for a sustainable life and future. We can solve the most pressing problems of today and tomorrow only by using technology effectively and accurately. We choose to focus on the environment, diversity, and digitalization towards the goal of a sustainable future. We develop solutions that significantly contribute to energy efficiency and support our world’s future.

Driven by our successful history in the area of sustainability, we are now setting ourselves more ambitious targets. We are clarifying our focus on sustainability with the DEGREE framework, which we have implemented as part of our new growth strategy. Within the DEGREE framework, we have set our sustainability priorities as decarbonization, ethics, governance, resource efficiency, equity and employability. The goals we set within the scope of these priorities support United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As Siemens, we offer feasible scenarios and innovative solutions to enable the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by leveraging our technology portfolio. Using these technologies, our customers can achieve their goals by using less resources. As Siemens Turkey, we have achieved 20 percent energy savings within the last five years thanks to the steps we have taken towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2023. With the products and services we offer to our customers, we are enabling them to save TRY 360 million per year on average. We, as Siemens Turkey, are helping reduce carbon emissions by 39 percent through our energy efficiency projects. Using our technologies, our customers are able to achieve their goals with less resources. We are intensifying our efforts to decarbonize our value chain. For example, we recently organized a Digital Summit event for our 165^th anniversary. In line with our goal of achieving carbon-neutrality and DEGREE approach, we donated saplings on behalf of our guests and Siemens colleagues who participated in this online event. These trees will be planted in our Siemens 165^th Anniversary Memorial Forest.

Through the technologies with purpose we have been offering for 174 years across the world and for 165 years in Turkey, as well as the sustainability in our DNA, we will continue to transform the everyday, creating opportunities for a better world and helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals.