Some people make the world a better place just by being in it...


by Ayse PAMUCAK
LM-South, Raleigh - North Carolina

Sinan Yaman is one of those people.  He is the Young Business Guru of Turkey. Sinan Yaman believes in the importance of education and educating.  As a citizen diplomat and creativity advocate his vision is to seek and create both "insightful business" and "responsible social leaders" in all fields.  He is a dreamer and a visionary. He advises and inspires his pupil to be brave enough to dream, but at the same time to be realistic and wise enough to fulfill their dreams.

Sinan Yaman worked for a multinational company, Unilever, for 10 years. At one point of his very successful career he decided to listen to his inner voice, left his job and dedicated himself to educating the future leaders of Turkey. He is now an executive consultant in the field of Leadership.

Sinan Yaman is also the founder of Young Guru Academy (YGA).  YGA is an Istanbul based NGO educating promising future leaders of Turkey.  The academy seeks to act as a critical catalyst for stimulating high standards of excellence, camaraderie and volunteerism for the young business minds.   Towards that vision, YGA provides the necessary strategic tools and encourages tomorrow's leaders to deepen, enrich and inspire their collective creativity by unleashing their social innovative potential.  YGA is devoted to developing a unique brand of imaginative, innovative and socially responsible leaders by way of seminars, classes, training sessions, workshops, programs and projects.

Each year, Turkish University students at different campuses in Turkey and in the United States are asked the question "Do you believe you can change the world" by Sinan Yaman. Based on their answers and academic record about 10 to 20 students are chosen by Yaman to undergo a unique program for a week to become potential future leaders of the world.  All expenses for this program are paid by YGA.

Sinan Yaman believes in the importance of
education and educating.

The third annual YGA leadership program took place at the exclusive Figure Eight island off the North Carolina coast on March 16-21, 2005.  Eleven Turkish students chosen from Turkish and American universities participated.  Leadership speakers from Turkey were flown in for an intense crash course on such topics as Inspiring Leadership, Unleashing the Potential Within, Managing Diversity, Insightful Innovations for Social Development, and Self Knowledge.  In addition to these lecture topics, the YGA participants attended workshops on future trends and conceptualized social responsibility projects for the Istanbul Greater Municipality. A collaborative marketing proposal for Pepsi/Turkey was also developed, encouraging the Turkish youth to embrace more social

responsibilities.  At the conclusion of the Academy, their proposal was reviewed by the country marketing director for Pepsi (who was one of the speakers) and approved as a social development program to be jointly implemented with Istanbul greater City Municipality.

Sinan Yaman is also the author of the best selling book "Ic'ten Lider" (Soulful Leader).  His book is considered as a new and successful approach to leadership and is recognized  in business and academic circles.  Ic'ten Lider has become one of the best selling books in the field of leadership philosophy.

Sinan Yaman's new approach for the education system challenges the deep roots of some forms of "conventionalism" of the present system in Turkey not only in education, but also regarding the deficiency of "free self expression" in the society and specifically with young people.  More information about Sinan Yaman can be found at: www.sinanyaman.com and more information on YGA's programs and projects can be found at: www.youngguruacademy.org

Author and educator William Arthur Ward once said "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."   Sinan Yaman not only inspires everyone he teaches, his dedication to the education of future leaders is sure to make the world a better place for the generations yet to come.

by Ayse PAMUCAK
LM-South, Raleigh - North Carolina