Sonja Runkas
Episode · #529
MEDIJATOR Sonja Runkas
Guest Sonja RunkasHosted by Srđan ŠimacMay 3, 2026
Sonja Runkas
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Sonja Runkas describes herself as "an ordinary unusual woman." It took her years to recognize and integrate those unusual parts, and she now uses that hard-won understanding to guide others. As an executive and systemic coach, she doesn't offer a universal formula for happiness or success. Instead, she helps clients uncover their own unique path, believing that true strength and fulfillment come from within — a perspective that often runs counter to societal pressures to conform. This conversation explores how embracing individual quirks, reframing challenges, and winning the internal battles can shape not just a person, but their entire professional impact.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Sonja Runkas describes herself as "an ordinary unusual woman" who spent years learning to accept and integrate her unique traits. The most potent form of leadership often comes not from conforming, but from fully owning the parts of yourself that others might call "unusual."
02
As a coach, Sonja Runkas explicitly states she doesn't offer a "magic formula" for happiness because "everyone has their own recipe." The real role of a guide isn't to provide answers, but to help someone discover their *own* methods. If you're looking for a shortcut to happiness, you're missing the point: the recipe is already yours to find.
03
Sonja Runkas argues that the greatest victory is always over oneself, not over others. Society often pushes us to compete externally, but sustained success comes from winning the internal battles. The only metric that truly matters is how you measure up against yourself.
04
When faced with things she dislikes or "must-dos," Sonja Runkas asks, "What is the lesson here?" Instead of resisting discomfort, reframe it as a learning opportunity. The most significant growth comes from leaning into the very things you'd rather avoid.
05
She discusses how society, from family to school, "forges us into tracks," pushing us to fit in and "not be the black sheep." The constant pressure to conform makes self-discovery a counter-cultural act. Your job isn't to blend in, but to understand when and how to honor your unique internal values, even if it means standing out.
06
Sonja Runkas quotes the advice, "Find yourself, because everyone else is busy." In a world where everyone is trying to be *someone else*, the most valuable and strategic move you can make is to invest in understanding your own core self. Your true differentiator is already within you, waiting to be discovered.
07
She uses the iceberg metaphor, explaining that what we perceive above the surface is small, while "what's below that we don't know, that's what spins life." Our conscious thoughts and actions are only a fraction of what drives us. To truly understand and steer your life or your organization, you must be willing to dive into the deeper, often unseen, motivations and patterns.