MEDIJATOR Jerislav Bobić

Guest Jerislav BobićHosted by Srđan ŠimacMay 3, 2026

Jerislav Bobić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Jerislav Bobić is an entrepreneur who leads multiple firms, rooted in the IT world, but with a unique perspective on what makes businesses truly function. He is, as the host puts it, an "entrepreneur from head to toe," a person who sees the whole picture and builds teams. Yet, his recent path led him to become a mediator, a role often associated with legal professionals. This conversation explores how an IT background informs a deep understanding of human communication, and why the so-called "soft skills" are not just complementary, but central to resolving conflicts and building lasting relationships in any business. Bobić offers a counter-intuitive take on the value of contracts, the changing nature of sales, and why even the most technical fields like IT constantly grapple with fundamental human misunderstandings. Listeners will come away with a fresh appreciation for empathy as a core business asset, and a critical view of traditional approaches to conflict resolution.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Jerislav Bobić points out that "all our problems come from losing that humanity for a moment." Reclaiming this humanity — which he defines as empathy — is the only way to move forward, whether in business negotiations, personal disputes, or even deciding on new software features.

Bobić argues that in Croatia, a contract's legal enforcement value is "practically worthless" because court processes are too slow to be relevant for most businesses. The true utility of a contract lies in its ability to clarify communication, express desires, and define future relationships, not as a tool for litigation.

The aggressive, one-off sales techniques that once worked are now obsolete, Bobić says, because "that one-off relationship is disappearing" in favor of subscriptions and long-term service agreements. Durable business now requires establishing a full, ongoing relationship with the client.

From his experience in IT, Bobić notes that "users are unable to say what they need," and often won't be satisfied even if they receive exactly what they requested. This constant challenge of precise communication means that the need for implicit or explicit mediation techniques is always present.

Bobić initially dismissed mediation as a field for lawyers, only to discover nine months later that non-lawyers could also become mediators. This unexpected realization immediately led him to training, demonstrating that valuable skills are often found outside one's perceived professional boundaries.

Even if he never formally mediates, Bobić states that mediation techniques are "literally with every conflict, every situation a person finds themselves in." The principles learned in mediation training are fundamental human communication skills, essential for navigating any interpersonal challenge.

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