Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was a guest at the program organized by the Turkish Red Crescent. Providing insights on “Leadership Psychology” to young people, Tarhan said, “A leader must first believe in themselves. Because a leader cannot convince others unless they convince themselves. One of the important types in leadership is bodily intelligence. These individuals have high work discipline and are idealists. Those with high logical intelligence become idealists. Those with high emotional intelligence are activists, and those with high bodily intelligence are realists.”
“One Must Be Their Own Leader”
Meeting with the young members of the Turkish Red Crescent, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan touched upon the concept of leadership and how it should be managed, stating; “When we spoke of leadership, it was understood as a person managing a few individuals. Recent developments in psychology have changed the perspective on leadership. Previously, leadership was very diverse. Currently, especially the concept of self-management, or neuro-leadership, has emerged. If an individual cannot manage themselves, they cannot lead others. There is a pull between thoughts and emotions. The frontal lobe of the brain must continuously make correct decisions, and this is a difficult thing. One of the factors affecting leadership is fears. Excessive fear impairs judgment, while balanced fear has a protective effect. Therefore, one must first be their own leader.”
“Threat-Oriented Thoughts Cause Stress”
Tarhan stated that the human brain operates in a threat-focused manner; “The human brain is threat-focused. Threat-oriented thoughts lead to stress. In leadership styles, there is a controlled tension strategy, which can be seen as a leadership method. Being sure that no one but the milkman and the doorman will knock on the door in the morning shows the supremacy of law. Similarly, a person being confident that nothing unlawful will be done when they are taken to the police station is another example. These are situations found in secure societies. They differ from those in insecure societies. People have a common ground. There must be conscientious intelligence and a sense of accountability. According to moral reasoning, a person's accountability to laws is a civic duty.”
“Trust-Based Leadership is Important”
Tarhan emphasized that individuals must develop a sense of trust in leadership, stating; “There are two types of leadership. One is based on fear, the other on trust. In authoritarian regimes, leadership is fear-based. There is no rule of law. In Central Asia, there were Khans, in the Ottoman Empire, there were Sultans. Later, the state became sacralized. Here, anything could be done for the state. In individuals, fear-based leadership emerges. There is also trust-based leadership, which exists in societies where freedom is fully experienced. New ideas and discoveries emerge in such highly secure societies. The most important example is the USA, which has taken world leadership with discoveries from Europe, combined with Silicon Valley. Trust-based leadership is important.”
“It is Necessary to Know Leadership Styles Well”
Adding that leadership definitions need to be re-interpreted and re-defined, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said; “In logical leadership, there must be dreams and strategic thinking. A leader must first believe in themselves. Because a leader cannot convince others unless they convince themselves. One of the important types in leadership is bodily intelligence. These individuals have high work discipline and are idealists. Those with high logical intelligence become idealists. Those with high emotional intelligence are activists, and those with high bodily intelligence are realists. As Rumi said, ‘Be like a compass.’ Individuals with high bodily intelligence balance idealism and realism. Activists also initiate action. People with high social intelligence are open to cooperation, manage crises well, and are active listeners. They consider the needs and rights of others. But what is important is conscientious intelligence. Therefore, it is necessary to know leadership styles well.”
4 Saplings Were Donated in Tarhan's Name.
At the end of the program, 4 saplings were donated to Tarhan by Genç Kızılay Üsküdar as part of the support for afforestation efforts in Hatay. A donation certificate was also presented to Tarhan during the program.