As part of the training for the first cohort of the REDpreneur Women programme, participants took part in a module focused on veteran entrepreneurship
They explored approaches to starting and developing a business after military service, as well as the principles of leadership and effective team building.
During the sessions, participants worked on topics such as business values, the role of mindset in decision-making and team building, and the specifics of leadership in challenging circumstances. Particular attention was given to understanding the personality iceberg model — how values, talents, beliefs, and thinking patterns influence behaviour, work outcomes, and the leadership style adopted by managers.
Veteran entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it also involves deliberately building a team, assessing the professional and personal maturity of its members, and choosing an appropriate leadership style — from mentorship and support to delegation and co-leadership.
Participants also engaged with different types of thinking — from a mindset focused on limitations to a growth mindset — and practised critical, entrepreneurial, and reflective thinking, enabling them to view challenges as opportunities for business development.
“Effective leadership in entrepreneurship is determined less by resources or strategies and more by the mindset of the leader,” emphasised business trainer Ruslan Lemeshchuk during the module.
The first cohort’s training is ongoing. Upcoming sessions will include new modules, mentoring sessions, and further work on business ideas with the potential to become sustainable and socially impactful projects.
*The REDpreneur Women programme is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross in partnership with the Austrian Red Cross, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, with support from the NACHBAR IN NOT Foundation (Austria) and the Austrian Development Agency. The programme’s training and mentoring components are delivered in partnership with the Ukrainian Future Business Incubator.