Irina Hakamada: Mastering the Art of Professionalism and Humor

Recently, the conference “Business Awakening 2.0” took place, where Irina Hakamada, a former politician, business trainer, and motivational speaker, along with other speakers, shared insights on the art of business negotiations with Belarusians. Following the conference, Hakamada discussed emotional burnout, the education system, and inspiration with journalists.

The Eastern Path

For me, the human process of understanding life and oneself lies in realizing that you are balancing on a tightrope. If you move too quickly, you will lose your balance and fall. If you stand still and let fear take over, you will also fall. Therefore, you need to take small steps—this is the Eastern way: continuous but always balanced. Resting should also be done professionally: completely freeing and liberating yourself.

Social Media

I manage all my accounts myself. The main networks are Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I approach them pragmatically. I don’t seek love or friendship in social networks. For me, they are a way to obtain necessary information and promote my own. This takes me half an hour in the morning and evening, and a few minutes during the day if I’m stuck in traffic. I don’t get lost in the internet.

Emotional Burnout and Exhaustion

To avoid burnout, you need to stop thinking. One of my methods is art. I always have my favorite music with me, and it’s in my headphones. I always have a favorite book—currently, it’s Kazuo Ishiguro. I always have a selection of films. You need to be able to immerse yourself in the imagination of any artist. Then there will be no burnout. Your brain will stop analyzing information, your soul will be filled with completely different images, and your mind will begin to rest.

On the Education System

Almost everything needs to be changed. At Stanford, the student cafeteria with good, varied, but cheap food is open 24/7. Why do you think that is? Because there are no lectures. They only have primary sources, and you must do the work. You talk to the teacher, reporting on the project or work, if you are a philologist, or the mathematical model you must solve. Therefore, they work a lot in libraries and periodically want to eat. Every day you must read a huge number of primary sources, analyze them, and make your own summary.

We don’t have independent work; we have constant drilling: lectures, lessons, textbooks… You can’t teach Pushkin from a reader or a short retelling. You need to honestly read “Eugene Onegin” and write your opinion and summary on this topic already in the eighth grade.

In developed countries, there are no pedagogical universities. They train specialists who come to schools or universities as specialists.

Gender Equality: Professionalism and Humor

There are barriers, including in the work of business trainers. Women trainers who deal with serious business lectures are often paid less. And they are constantly pushed towards a female audience. Like: “Can we invite you to a women’s forum on the topic of intuition?” I say: “Guys, everything is cool, but women don’t have such a problem with intuition. Maybe we should pull the men up instead?”

For a woman not to have to prove that she can do something, she needs professionalism and a sense of humor. You need to joke like a man and act professionally. And don’t be offended, but joke.

Source of Inspiration

My main object and subject of inspiration is the country. I came out of the Soviet Union and was an internal dissident. I always dreamed of changing Russia for the better, so that it would be for the people, where no one is leveled. I dreamed about this in politics and did what I could.

Looking at the World with Different Eyes

You need to make a small step, something completely unusual for yourself. For example, on Sunday, buy rollerblades and in Gorky Park, holding your partner’s hand, “fiddle” on these rollerblades for at least half an hour. You never in your life planned to skate on them, but such small steps will gradually teach your mind to open unknown doors, but already in the field of business.

For more insights on professional development, visit Stanford University.