Her Turn mentor Natalja Inno is a former elite athlete and an experienced sports leader whose career has taken her into both Estonian and international sports governance. For her, good leadership grows from the courage to make decisions, continuous self-development and a genuine love for the field in which one works.
Natalja Inno is a multiple Estonian champion in rhythmic gymnastics. She has competed at European and World Championships and won a bronze medal at the World Championships in aesthetic group gymnastics. She later moved into sports management and event organisation and also worked as part of the organising team for the Paris Olympic Games. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of European Gymnastics and the Executive Committee of the Estonian Olympic Committee. Since June, she has also worked as Head of Coach Education Development at the Foundation of Sports Education and Information.
The moments that have shaped Inno most as a leader have been those in which decisions must be made quickly and firmly in circumstances beyond the control of either the leader or the team, such as a pandemic, restrictions caused by war or accidents.
Having worked in sport for many years, she has always tried to put the interests of athletes and coaches first.
“They are the reason sport exists,” Inno says. “I believe that leaders are shaped by their passion and love for the sport or field in which they work.”
Inno cannot identify one particular moment when she realised that she was no longer simply an expert in her field, but also a leader. Rather, she has been driven throughout her life by courage, decisiveness, a strong sense of purpose and belief in what she does. These qualities have encouraged her to keep developing and working on herself.
Difficult experiences teach us to grow
There have been situations in Inno’s life that she would never want to experience again, as well as moments to which she would gladly return.
“As former Estonian President Lennart Meri once said, every shitty situation is fertiliser for the future. I try to live by that,” she says.
Her greatest teachers and sources of inspiration, however, are her three children, Daniel, Alex and Karina. “Life with them is so interesting and educational at the moment,” Inno adds.
She sees balancing work and family life as one of the greatest invisible barriers women face on their path to leadership. On her own journey, her family has been her greatest source of strength and an essential support system.
“Without their invisible support, I would not be able to achieve anything,” she emphasises.
Taking the first step is the hardest part
According to Inno, believing in your own potential is most difficult before taking the first step.
“If you believe in what you are doing, that is already the first step,” she says.
It is equally important to have friends or colleagues around you who respect and support your initiatives – people who help you get back on track when necessary and encourage you to keep moving forward.
Inno herself has learned a great deal and become more resilient through international experience, including standing for election to the board of an international sports organisation and being elected. In an environment where women leaders may still face expectations and stereotypes, she believes it is important to remain true to yourself.
“I think I am very easy to read because I am always myself,” Inno says.
In her view, women generally need the same skills and attitudes as men in order to reach leadership positions. However, she particularly highlights discipline and always presenting oneself professionally.
As a mentor, Inno does not see her role as providing ready-made answers. For her, the essence of good mentorship lies in trust, exchanging experiences and offering someone the opportunity to look in the mirror. A mentor’s role is to help people gain greater clarity about themselves and the choices available to them.
To a Her Turn participant facing a major opportunity but doubting whether she is ready, Inno offers one powerful message:
“Everyone has doubts, but the strong take action. So be one of the strong ones!”
