Jiří Koleňák: My name is Jiří Koleňák and welcome to the Úspěšní (Successful) podcast, where my guests and I explore the principles and habits that drive their success. My guest today is Danuše Nerudová, a Czech economist, university professor, and mother of two. From 2018 to 2022, she served as Rector of Mendel University in Brno, becoming the first woman and youngest rector in the university's history. In 2023, she ran for President of the Czech Republic, and since July 2024, she has served as a Member of the European Parliament representing the STAN movement. Welcome to the podcast, Danuše.
Danuše Nerudová: Good day, thank you for the invitation.
Jiří Koleňák: I always start by asking my guests what brought them the greatest joy in recent days. What was it for you?
Danuše Nerudová: Surprisingly, it was Christmas and getting our entire family together at our table on Christmas Eve. My mother always had a big dining table, and I love having every single chair filled. We managed that this year, and it was a wonderful Christmas Day.
Jiří Koleňák: Family is always a great source of energy.
Danuše Nerudová: Absolutely.
Jiří Koleňák: Let's look back at the start of your career. Today you are active in high-level politics, but your career built a strong academic foundation. What drew you to studying economics and finance?
Danuše Nerudová: Paradoxically, it was my parents. Back in the 1990s, they built an economic and tax consulting firm. I worked in their office while still in high school. I always enjoyed working with numbers, so continuing in that field felt like a natural progression. I originally wanted to stay in Brno to keep helping my parents, so I applied to the Faculty of Business and Economics at Mendel University, which was one of the few places offering a specialized finance program back then. I ended up being part of the very first graduating class for that finance degree, later continuing through to complete my doctorate there in tax policy and economics.
Jiří Koleňák: And eventually, you became Rector of the entire university.
Danuše Nerudová: Eventually, yes!
Jiří Koleňák: Besides your parents, was there anyone else who inspired or mentored you during your studies?
Danuše Nerudová: Choosing my master's thesis topic was a turning point. Before the Czech Republic joined the EU, I chose to study the harmonization of tax systems across European Union member states. I was completely captivated by the subject. Having earned an international English certificate in high school allowed me to research international academic sources directly. Through that research, I identified a group of elite European professors leading the field. I was deeply inspired by them, pursued doctoral studies, and eventually became a Research Fellow under one of those professors. I owe a great deal of my academic path to his mentorship, which helped pave the way for my professorship.
Jiří Koleňák: You advanced through the full academic hierarchy—from PhD to Associate Professor and full Professor. What lessons from that academic progression did you carry into your subsequent career?
Danuše Nerudová: One major difference between international and domestic Czech academia is that abroad, academia is strictly a team effort rather than an individualistic pursuit. To accomplish significant breakthroughs, you must build and work within high-performing teams. I carried that lesson directly into public leadership. Policy outcomes depend heavily on the competence and reliability of the team around you, which is especially true in the European Parliament. Exceptional teams produce exceptional results. Domestic academic systems often resist acknowledging this, but top global institutions succeed precisely because they operate through collaborative teamwork.
Jiří Koleňák: That’s very true. Building and relying on strong teams sets exceptional leaders apart.
Danuše Nerudová: I have a funny story about that. During my full professorship evaluation at the Prague University of Economics and Business, a board member asked me why I didn't publish papers entirely on my own. I found the question absurd at the time—collaborating with peers across disciplines is standard practice because team synergy drives far greater research efficiency and quality.
Jiří Koleňák: When you stepped into the role of Rector, what were your primary strategic priorities?
Danuše Nerudová: My priority was to open up the university and transform it into a more flexible, modern institution. I acted partly as a crisis manager—conducting process audits to streamline administrative efficiency while keeping the institution attuned to global educational trends. I am particularly proud that under my leadership, Mendel University became the first university in the Czech Republic to receive the EU's HR Award for creating equal workplace opportunities, particularly supporting female scholars and ensuring non-discrimination. Leading those organizational shifts in a conservative environment taught me invaluable lessons in negotiation and driving institutional change.
Jiří Koleňák: Driving change in conservative environments and promoting female leadership are closely linked. How did you navigate those challenges?
Danuše Nerudová: They are deeply interconnected. I advocate for balanced, diverse teams because different perspectives lead to well-rounded decision-making. Executive management often requires choosing the "least bad" option among several difficult choices. To foster leadership, I took a deliberate approach by appointing promising young professionals—two women and two men—who had never held senior executive functions before. I knew it required mentorship and active development, but leaving behind strong, capable female leaders in academia was a key part of my legacy. Initially, they consulted me on every decision, but by the end of my tenure, we engaged in fierce, healthy debates where they defended well-reasoned strategic positions. When HR directors ask me how to solve the shortage of female board members or senior partners, I tell them: create the opportunity. You must look beyond immediate past experience, hire for potential, and invest in developing talent.
Jiří Koleňák: How did you handle pushback when implementing institutional changes?
Danuše Nerudová: Making changes in conservative academic structures can be painful and requires courage. The default response to new proposals is almost always, "That's impossible." My standard response was to assign the task directly to the person claiming it was impossible, charging them with finding out how it could be done. Over time, people learned it was far better to focus on solutions rather than dismissing new ideas.
Jiří Koleňák: Where do you draw the energy to keep pushing forward?
Danuše Nerudová: From my husband. We have supported each other for over 25 years. We inspire each other and trade off taking center stage depending on our respective career phases. Having that deep mutual foundation makes everything work.
Jiří Koleňák: Having a supportive partner as a rock is a common thread among highly successful people. Do you have a daily habit or ritual you rely on?
Danuše Nerudová: Over the last two years, to maintain mental clarity, I get up early every morning and go for a run. My husband actually got me into it—he wakes up at 5:30 AM to run, and since I’m a light sleeper, his early alarm woke me up anyway. Rather than lying awake, I decided to join him.
Jiří Koleňák: Do you have a ritual that helps sharpen your professional skills?
Danuše Nerudová: People frequently ask how I handle constant international travel. I reframe travel time as dedicated personal space for professional development. Currently, I use that transit time to master French.
Jiří Koleňák: Because of European Parliament dynamics, or other reasons?
Danuše Nerudová: French opens doors in the European Parliament. While fluent English is assumed as a baseline, speaking French builds immediate rapport, breaks down barriers, and facilitates diplomatic conversations.
Jiří Koleňák: What inspired your decision to run for President of the Czech Republic in 2023?
Danuše Nerudová: The full story came out after the election. I had long advocated for women’s participation in public life. If you publicly argue that female representation is lacking, you must eventually lead by example. We had founded an association to support women in public life, chaired by former ambassador Magda Vášáryová. We spent a year looking for a viable female presidential candidate. Finding no one, Magda looked across the table at me and said, "We found her—it's you." I laughed at first, but eventually realized that driving meaningful societal change requires stepping up personally. Students I meet at schools today tell me that campaign proved they can pursue ambitious dreams regardless of naysayers, which makes it deeply worthwhile.
Jiří Koleňák: Looking back, how would you describe the experience of running a national presidential campaign?
Danuše Nerudová: In hindsight, it gave me far more than it took. It cost me personal privacy entirely—and affected my eldest son’s privacy as well. But under the right circumstances, I would do it again. It fundamentally shifted public perception by proving a female candidate can be a formidable contender in Czech politics. It also exposed subtle structural biases—from media studios equipped only with high bar stools unsuitable for women in dresses, to how female candidates are labeled regarding fashion and tone. We even recorded post-election podcasts with journalists to unpack these dynamics and bridge generational perspectives. For me, the journey itself carried deep purpose.
Jiří Koleňák: Is there anything you would do differently in that campaign?
Danuše Nerudová: I don't believe in crying over spilt milk. I analyze setbacks constructively rather than dwelling on "what ifs." My campaign team was composed of brilliant, open-minded young visionaries who revolutionized Czech political marketing and social media engagement. However, in high-stakes critical moments, we lacked seasoned political veterans. Today, I know an effective team needs a balance: innovative young minds paired with experienced veterans who can navigate high-pressure political crises.
Jiří Koleňák: How does political dynamics in academia compare to public politics and the European Parliament?
Danuše Nerudová: Surprisingly, they share a great deal. Academic politics can actually be far more vicious than public politics because some individuals spend their entire lives in one institution with the sole goal of clinging to power until retirement. The stakes in academia involve smaller budgets, but the political maneuvering is identical. As Rector, I negotiated continuously with the Academic Senate. When I once complained to former Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek that the Senate was blocking university reforms, he smiled and asked, "Do you think a Prime Minister loves his parliament?" The major difference in public politics is the relentless media spotlight—every sentence is scrutinized, clipped, or taken out of context, which doesn't happen to the same extent in academia.
Jiří Koleňák: How does serving in the European Parliament enrich you professionally and personally?
Danuše Nerudová: The European Parliament offers an incredible platform for proactive lawmakers. You have immense freedom to drive initiatives—your impact depends entirely on your personal initiative and negotiation skills. Working alongside diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds brings fresh perspectives to complex policy challenges. To pass legislation, you must read the political landscape, build cross-party alliances, and negotiate directly with French, German, or Scandinavian counterparts. Because crucial negotiations happen informally over coffee or dinner without interpreters, language fluency is non-negotiable.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you stay informed on such a broad, complex range of policy topics?
Danuše Nerudová: Through my team. Each staff member oversees specific policy portfolios—such as the EU budget or environmental regulations—and provides bi-weekly strategic briefings. It's impossible for an MEP to process every document individually. Additionally, I rely on daily monitoring of European and global press to track evolving geopolitical developments.
Jiří Koleňák: How is an MEP's team structured?
Danuše Nerudová: It is split between local staff in the Czech Republic and parliamentary staff in Brussels and Strasbourg. In the Czech Republic, I have local assistants managing regional visits, school lectures, and public roundtables. In Brussels, my Chief of Staff, Vít Olmer—a highly experienced advisor with background in the European Parliament and the Czech Government Office—navigates political map-reading and strategic outreach. I also have specialized policy advisors covering environmental committee work, EU budget economics, media relations, and communications.
Jiří Koleňák: What major challenges and opportunities do you see facing the European Union today?
Danuše Nerudová: Europe stands at a strategic crossroads, particularly following the election of Donald Trump in the US. While some view it purely as a threat, I prefer turning threats into strategic opportunities. During COVID-19, joint vaccine procurement strengthened EU cohesion. When war broke out in Ukraine, the EU coordinated comprehensive sanctions with the US and Japan within 48 hours. Donald Trump is a dealmaker who responds to clear transactional propositions. European unity is essential so we can present compelling economic counter-proposals and prevent harmful trade tariffs.
Jiří Koleňák: What does an ideal tangible outcome look like in your parliamentary work?
Danuše Nerudová: Delivering policy that directly improves people's lives in regional communities. Early in my mandate, severe flooding struck Central Europe, but existing bureaucratic frameworks prevented rapid emergency funding releases. Speaking on behalf of an affected nation at the EPP group meeting, I drafted a parliamentary resolution to accelerate disaster relief payouts. The resolution passed by an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament. That evening, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited affected regions in Poland and announced immediate financial support mechanisms driven by our parliamentary pressure. Seeing tangible, immediate relief delivered to communities is the absolute ideal outcome of legislative work.
Jiří Koleňák: What key quality makes a successful politician?
Danuše Nerudová: Tenacity and discipline. Discipline drives success across any profession. Research shows a fascinating correlation among top executives and political leaders: many played musical instruments at a high level during youth. Mastering a complex musical instrument instills deep practice, rigor, and structural discipline that carries through life.
Jiří Koleňák: What positive changes would you like to see in Czech society?
Danuše Nerudová: I wish we smiled more, maintained open minds, and recognized how fortunate we are. We live in peace and safety. While vulnerable groups—such as single mothers or low-income households struggling with living costs—need targeted institutional support, overall our society is prosperous. Approaching challenges with a constructive, positive outlook gives us the agency to improve our country rather than sinking into passive cynicism.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you unwind and recharge mentally?
Danuše Nerudová: I go into the forest early in the morning to pick mushrooms or sit quietly by a river watching nature wake up. Nature is my primary source of energy and mental recovery.
Jiří Koleňák: What core personal values guide your decisions?
Danuše Nerudová: The foundational pillars of a free society: freedom, democracy, truth, and love. These non-negotiable principles are worth defending unconditionally.
Jiří Koleňák: Working closely with young people, how can we better ground younger generations in these civic values?
Danuše Nerudová: We must reform how we teach modern history. Younger generations were born directly into freedom and open border travel without experiencing authoritarian restrictions. They naturally take these rights for granted. We must teach history backwards—starting with modern 20th-century history, the 1989 Velvet Revolution, and recent democratic struggles—so young people understand that freedom requires active protection.
Jiří Koleňák: How do you maintain work-life balance despite a demanding international schedule?
Danuše Nerudová: I spend four days weekly in Brussels or Strasbourg and three days in the Czech Republic. My young campaign team cured me of my past workaholism. I used to work straight through weekends, feeling perpetual guilt when resting. Now, I protect my weekends entirely for family.
Jiří Koleňák: What key career turning points stand out for you?
Danuše Nerudová: Academically, winning a prestigious European Horizon grant with an all-female international research team (facing a 3% acceptance rate) was pivotal. When conservative faculty leaders dismissed our achievement by claiming we won "only because it was an all-women team," I realized I could either accept small-minded leadership or run for Rector to transform the culture myself. Politically, meeting Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse—a molecular biologist who led UK campaign efforts against Brexit—was transformative. He reminded me that academics and public intellectuals carry a civic duty to step out of their comfort zones and defend democratic values publicly. That conversation inspired my participation in the Koronerf economic initiative during COVID-19 and paved my entry into public service.
Jiří Koleňák: What final advice would you offer young people aspiring to step into public service or politics?
Danuše Nerudová: Learn to manage criticism effectively. Distinguish between constructive feedback and manipulative hostility. Seek out constructive critique to learn from it, and lock manipulative attacks away in a black box without giving them mental space. Most importantly, do not be afraid to enter public service. Working for your country is a noble pursuit. We need your perspective, confidence, and courage to drive progress forward.
Jiří Koleňák: Danuše Nerudová, thank you very much for joining us and sharing your experience.
Danuše Nerudová: Thank you for having me. Goodbye!
Jiří Koleňák: To our viewers, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. See you next time with more inspiring guests!
