Ankara
Pınar Aysal
Can you introduce yourself? What is your name and surname?
Pınar Aysal.
What is your role at ATU Duty Free and what do you do in this role?
I work as a People and Culture Supervisor at ATU Duty Free. My role is to support our employees and the business; to create a positive working environment, to implement people-oriented practices, and to contribute to the development and success of our teams.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I love traveling and experiencing different countries and cultures. Therefore, it is quite difficult for me to give a single answer to this question. There are still too many places I want to see and explore before making a decision. I feel closer to warm, vibrant, and high-energy cultures. The cities of Italy would be a good example of this. In addition to this, I also have a great admiration for Paris. There is something in the city's elegance that makes being there feel special. If I had to make a choice today, I would probably be torn between Italy and Paris, but this is still a rather difficult decision for me.
Is there a characteristic you would like to change about yourself? Why?
I am someone who has high expectations of herself and aims for better in everything she does. Although this perspective sometimes causes me to push myself more than necessary, I have learned over time that improvement is not about being perfect, but about continuously learning and progressing. Striking this balance is still something I am working on.
What is your favorite feature of yourself that you are most proud of?
My proudest trait is my ability to establish sincere and real bonds with people. I truly enjoy getting to know people, understanding their perspectives, and learning what motivates them. Being together with people gives me energy, and I believe that my positive approach and my genuine interest in others help me build strong relationships. Looking back, I see that at the foundation of many successes in both my personal and professional life lies my ability to connect with people and build trust.
What is your greatest fear in life?
Frankly, I don't see myself as someone who has too many fears. I believe that fears are often an obstacle to people's development. Therefore, when faced with a fear, I try to confront it instead of running away from it. I realized over time that often the biggest fear is the scenarios we create in our minds. When we actually live that experience, we see that it is not as scary as we thought and that there is always a way out.
Is there a talent you wish you had?
I wish I could speak many languages fluently without having to study! I love communicating with people from different cultures, and I think being able to connect with a person in their own language is a very special talent.
Who is your favorite historical hero, from the past or present?
The stories of strong women have always inspired me. One of the names that inspires me the most is Estée Lauder. The story of Estée and thousands of women like her who have achieved great success gives me strength and provides motivation to keep moving forward. Starting from scratch, never giving up on her dreams, and building her own beauty empire is one of the aspects I find particularly inspiring about her.
What qualities do you most value in a friend?
Trust and sincerity. I value people with whom I can be myself, laugh a lot, have meaningful conversations, and at the same time comfortably share silence. For me, true friendship is being completely yourself around someone.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?
I would probably like to learn to slow down a bit more. By my nature, I am action-oriented and I like to get things done. However, sometimes the most beautiful moments in life can be the moments we did not plan.
What is your favorite activity to do in your free time?
Traveling and discovering new places. Apart from this, I enjoy doing various sports, spending time in nature, and spending quality time with people I love. I prefer activities that give me energy over activities that simply pass the time.
What is your biggest regret in life?
I don't think I have a major regret. Looking back, there are of course some things I could do differently with my experience today. However, I believe that every decision I made and every difficulty I experienced taught me valuable things and shaped the person I am today.
Can you share with us the place and time where you felt the happiest?
I think happiness is more about who a person is and how they look at life, rather than a specific place or moment. Of course, life has its ups and downs. However, I think that how we start the day and how we approach the difficulties we face are largely in our own hands. For me, happiness is knowing the value of what I have, being able to stay positive, and finding joy in the small moments of daily life wherever I am.
Do you have a slogan or motto that has motivated you throughout your life?
"If someone has done it, I can do it too."
I have always believed that progress begins with believing that something is possible. This perspective gives me the motivation to continue improving myself, accept new challenges, and maintain my resilience when things get tough. It reminds me that progress is possible with effort, learning, and determination.
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