Sometimes Progress Requires a Pause

Some organizations grow. Some transform. Fewer manage to sustain this journey while staying true to their roots. I believe the real distinction in the business world emerges precisely at this point. Creating space before making decisions means allowing room not only for speed, but also for people, values, and long-term impact.

At Yeşim Group, our “From Roots to the Future” approach represents more than a slogan to me. It reflects a shared stance. It is a holistic mindset that extends from our decision-making processes to the way we build relationships and plan for the future. This is also how I view sustainability. While advancing through innovation, maintaining a balanced connection with the values that define who we are forms the foundation of this approach.

Over time, I have come to see more clearly that every decision we make generates a broader impact than we initially anticipate. Choices that may appear small today gradually evolve into a culture, a way of working, and a shared perspective. For this reason, I place greater importance on the legacy we leave behind than on short-term gains. I believe what endures is often shaped not by numbers, but by mindset.

This perspective finds tangible expression in practice as well. This year, under the Sustainability Honor Awards we launched for the first time, we came together with our R&D, Machinery and Energy, Social Compliance, and Corporate Communications teams. Listening to projects, making efforts visible, and celebrating achievements together created a valuable moment for reflection and learning. Sustainability grows stronger when we think collectively and share experience.

For me, sustainability has never been positioned as a separate goal. Rather, it has become a reflex that evolves alongside the flow of work itself. From digitalization and production investments to social initiatives and the supply chain, this broad spectrum gains true meaning when it is measurable, transparent, and open to continuous improvement. We focus on building a structure that learns, adapts, and continuously renews itself. I view success not as a finish line, but as a natural continuation of development. Each step gains value when it creates space for the next.

When the topic of innovation arises, technology naturally plays an important role. Yet I believe it is always healthier to first question what we need and why before moving toward technology. What truly makes the difference is how technology is used. Automation, data, and digital systems find their real value when they simplify processes, support employees, and make the value of work more visible. Solutions that advance together with people deliver far more resilient results in the long run.

The "People First" philosophy we embrace at Yeşim is reflected in our daily ways of working in this manner. This mindset is present in every decision we take. As we think, produce, and move forward together, human-centeredness strengthens organically. During our Pledge for a Sustainable Future event, our colleagues transforming their individual commitments into fingerprints on a tree once again demonstrated how collective responsibility can become a powerful symbol. The Sustainability Tree, brought to life through these fingerprints and presented to me in September on behalf of our colleagues by our leaders, remains a deeply meaningful gift for me.

Our corporate culture is shaped on this foundation. More than written statements, our stance during challenging moments proves to be the true determinant. Consistency in unexpected situations, coming together in the face of challenges, and the ability to create space for diverse perspectives nourish this culture. The diversity we hold becomes a force that deepens our way of thinking. As trust grows, inclusivity naturally evolves into an everyday practice.

This approach is also embedded in our corporate principles. Our Gender Equality Policy, in effect since 2016, stands as one of the most concrete reflections of this cultural stance. Together with the Gender Equality Committee that I lead, we reviewed the initiatives implemented in 2025 and defined our priorities and roadmap for the 2026 period. Within this structure, which convenes regularly throughout the year, equality, respect, and inclusivity are addressed as inseparable components of our corporate culture. Through impact-driven and sustainable practices, we aim to continue strengthening a fair and safe working environment where differences are valued.

This internal discipline and set of values also guide our external relationships. Consistency and transparency shape the way we engage with our business partners, customers, and the broader ecosystem. Looking ahead, I see the direction of the textile industry becoming increasingly clear. Circular economy, traceability, and clean energy are now integral parts of the business. Being able to transparently track a product’s journey from raw material to end user not only reduces environmental impact but also reinforces trust. Structures where words and actions align build a solid foundation for the long term.

At the heart of this entire journey lies continuity. Long-standing initiatives spanning education, sports, environmental responsibility, and social transformation continually remind me of a fundamental truth. Impact gains meaning as it grows over time. Rather than advancing through a single project, our approach at Yeşim Group is built on initiatives that deepen and evolve over the years. This continuity remains a strong source of motivation for me.

The future calls for speed. At the same time, it requires the ability to pause, reflect, and recalibrate our direction without losing our connection to our roots. For me, leadership means moving toward the future with openness to change while never forgetting where we come from.

Selim Şankaya
Yeşim Group Co-CEO