In the vibrant realm of architectural innovation and design, visionary leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s landscape. Selected as Global Inspirational Leader, Gülhanim Sümeyra Aslan, a dynamic force at GSA Architecture, exemplifies the spirit of creativity and architectural excellence.
A Visionary Architect
Gülhanım Sümeyra Aslan, armed with a passion for design and a creative mindset, stands as a driving force behind GSA Architecture’s journey toward innovative design and spatial solutions.
Setting the Stage for Architectural Brilliance
Under Aslan’s leadership, GSA Architecture has carved its identity as a trailblazer in the architectural arena. The firm, founded on the principles of design innovation and a commitment to blending form and function, has emerged as a beacon in the development and realisation of groundbreaking architectural projects.
Gülhanım Sümeyra Aslan’s leadership at GSA Architecture epitomizes the influence of visionary thinking and dedication to architectural excellence. Her commitment to design innovation, community integration, and sustainability has positioned the firm for sustained growth and success in the dynamic and competitive architectural realm.
In conversation with Gülhanım Sümeyra Aslan
What makes a strong leader? What are your key leadership strengths are make the strongest attributes of success.
In fact, there are 3 stages that all people go through, but most can not reach the third stage.They can’t even get to the second.This is because once you start something, you don’t have any kind of long-term management idea and drive to sustain it.And a lot of people don’t know what’s going to happen next.
I have been very interested in art and architecture since the first years of my life.I have many sketches at a young age.I am also a person who is interested in Islamic philosophy. These two desires and curiosity brought me to the point where I am now.
It’s not surprising that you’ll be successful if you have a stable hold on your goals in the first phase.
An accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career? What challenges did you face to reach to the success.
We architects add something to the city with every work we do.This is a huge responsiblity.Undoubtedly, there is an account being given, and you give that account every day.But the fate of every architectural structure is revealed after it is used.
When it comes to the biggest success in my career, the person you see smiling in front of you from head to toe is the person I created, the biggest success I brought to this place.
What is a role of leader in these challenging times.List 5 in order of priority.
I started working at a young age, I spent great effort day and night in order to reach the goal and ideal I had set.With the support of my family, I received a good education under the conditions of that period, but I was not satisfied with this, I set up my own business in Dubai in without being overshadowed by anyone, and the secret of this success.If you ask what it is, working is my biggest passion.
My love for the country and young people are even more important than us in every moment of my life.Actually, to have principles, to be disciplined, to be loyal to one’s plans and to oneself, to be honest, and most importantly to be positive at all times and under all circumstances.
All these principles have brought me to where I am today.As I said, as an architect, my biggest principle until the last moment of my life is to leave value to the world.
What is your vision and how do you share that with your shareholders, employees and others?
Always try to do the right thing.The peace of mind of serving your family, country and the age in which you live is priceless.
My advice to my architect friends, you can build great constructions, but when people who glorify you, feel lost in those great constructions, their dignity is damaged.
All the roads and bridges you make must lead to people’s hearts.
How do you drive active business renovations and how does that impact your subordinates?
If you want to progress, if you are determined to establish large-scale businesses, you will work with well-educated people, you will be humble, you will work hard, you will strive to learn the art of man-management a little more every day, you will not leave honesty.
I always consult with my teammates and get their opinions before starting a project and making a decision, these ideas should be thought through and then a decision should be made.
Although I have a say in many issues throughout my life, I always consulted others, sometimes I saw that my thoughts were very wrong, I accepted the appropriate thoughts, I benefited a lot from this.
How do you integrate corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility as a part of your business strategies?
While The Company were developing, two big goals had matured my mind.One of them was to recorganize our companies, which have been working for many years, in a way to ensure continuity and efficient operation.For this purpose, we established our company.My second aim was to institutionalize our social services and donations and to ensure their continuity after us.This second goal of mine will come true when we will found the Foundation.
Furthermore no matter how much you earn in life after being hired, organize your budget well.Work by taking into account that the water of the fountain will not always flow heavily, that it may decrease for a while or even be cut off.
What has been your driving force or philosophy in life?
I have a personality that takes every moment of my life seriously.I don’t say “Forget it” to anything. I make a schedule for every day and follow them meticulously even though I have entrusted my work to professionals.Although both business and management planning are very important to me, I never ignore the existence of the human element in success.
More importantly, every job you do, whether it’s cooking, you have to do it with passion. Success is inevitable when you do it with love and passion.If you have a pure mind and intention, you will not believe the doors that open for you.
How do you plan to drive your business at a global level?
In the medium term, we mostly want to make our company a global brand.In the long term, we aim to carry out charitable projects such as education space that will give us spiritual pleasure.
We are one of the leading Consultans, Design and Supervision Company in Dubai.We have designed and superrvised different types of projects icludung residental and commercial buildings, complexes, luxury villas, showrooms, office blocks, warehouse, cold stores and factories, ets both for the private as well as government sectors.
We have a team of qualified&well experienced architects, engineers&draftsmen and the services offered are at very high professional standart using the most advanced tools and techniques.We adopt latest software and hardware for the enhancement of services provided.
We aspires for the leading global market position by delivering world class engineering coonsultancies services and re-inforcing worldwide corporate alliances with holding top tier quality and ethical atandarts in Middle East includes engineering fields and have thousands of skilled engineers and technicans.
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
I was born in Denizli, a Aegean side of Turkey.I graduated from 2 amazing departments Architecture and Interior architecture as a double major.I have always made and implemented decisions about my life independent of everyone else.I have never lived my life according to people’s opinions.The most important thing is that I do my job with passion and love.This is my success story.Find what excites you and give it all your heart, success will find you anyway
In your opinion what is the most significant aspect of leadership?
Getting a good education and knowing at least 1 foreign language very well is the most important factor that will carry you to the top in your first steps in life.
You need a friend who understands business with you.You should work with the people who know this job best.
Before starting a new job, examining the subject thoroughly and working together with one or more people who understand the job is one of the most important conditions of being successful at work.
Regardless of what a person is, you should show a smiling face without making any discrimination, regardless of the younger or the older one, the position, job or art of the other person, and you should not leave your sweet word. A person who treats everyone with the same kindness always rises and achieves success.
Of course, you should give your heart to charity. When you help, the universe returns to you in abundance.It’s another pleasure.I must say that I see foundations as the most beneficial and effective means of paying debts to the society in which successful people live.
Your perception of an empowered society. How far your industry has/can contribute for the same?
My constitution is:As long as my state and country exist, so do I.If you have a goal exists, we all exist.We must do our best to strengthen the economy of our country. As our economy gets stronger, purchasing power becomes better established and our reputation in the world increases.
Professionally speaking, For me, the fact that a project touches more people is more than being aesthetically pleasing much more important.The building you build looks undesigned and people use it upside down.I think this is good design.One hundred percent design does not smell, the dominance of the architect is not felt.I still do not think that I can do something that well.I hope I can do something like that in all my years of professional life.
