Mislav Grubeša
Episode · #496
MISLIŠTE Mislav Grubeša
Guest Mislav GrubešaHosted by Sandro KraljevićMay 3, 2026
Mislav Grubeša
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Mislav Grubeša's career trajectory at Pepco defies the typical ladder climb. Starting as a salesperson at 18 with no prior experience, he navigated a "turbulent" six years through various retail management roles. Now, at just 27, he serves as an internal trainer, responsible for the development and well-being of hundreds of employees. His journey offers a clear view into how someone builds authority and finds purpose not by avoiding mistakes, but by embracing them as the essential path to growth. This conversation explores the often-overlooked value of soft skills in a fast-paced retail environment, and how a willingness to be vulnerable can transform both personal advancement and team dynamics.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Pepco noticed employees primarily communicated with direct sales managers, leaving a gap for human resources support that addressed the "soft, emotional side" of work. The most impactful support role in a sales-driven organization often isn't about selling more, but about creating a space for non-sales conversations.
02
Being "thrown into the fire" without a mentor was stressful, Mislav says, but it was also where he learned the most. The beauty of the journey isn't in having everything handed to you; it's in the hard-won lessons that come from figuring things out under pressure.
03
Many people, especially new employees, are held back by the fear of making mistakes or receiving negative feedback. Mislav's advice is direct: 'It doesn't matter if you make a mistake; what matters is that you learn from it.' The biggest barrier to progress is not error, but the paralysis of fearing it.
04
As a young manager, Mislav admits his ego often led him to avoid difficult conversations or feedback, fearing he would 'appear bad in their eyes.' True authority isn't about infallibility; it's about modeling the vulnerability to admit mistakes and grow, especially when you're in a position of leadership.
05
Mislav defines his role as an internal trainer not by targets or metrics, but by a guiding philosophy: 'to be of service to others so they can be better at their jobs.' The most impactful leaders find their satisfaction not in their own ascent, but in the tangible progress of those they support.
06
When asked how, at 27, he built authority over a hundred employees, Mislav points to his 'six years before' as a cashier, deputy manager, and manager. The deepest respect comes not from a title, but from having walked the same path and showing you understand the daily realities of the people you lead.