The O’Toole Chronicles: Croatia — A young nation stepping into the sun

I recently took a trip to Croatia and immediately fell in love with this breathtakingly beautiful and magnificent country. While I have long heard good things about Croatia, I finally made this long overdue trip, and it exceeded every expectation and then some.

Like most others, I have long viewed Europe through the eyes of a few countries: Italy, France, and Spain for starters. Those countries have rightfully earned worldwide acclaim.  Their histories, architecture, food, and cultures have long played a role in many of our lives. Croatia, by comparison, has often stood quietly, if not invisibly, in their shadow. After finally visiting, I’m convinced that Croatia is stepping up and will soon be joining its more prominent siblings on the larger stage.

For starters, Croatia is astoundingly beautiful and surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.  Croatia has centuries-old cities carved from stone, remarkable cuisine, and a culture that wears its deserved and understated pride with humility. While the natural beauty of this country is nearly unrivaled, it is the story and history of this young country that really grabbed my attention.

Croatia is a young nation. In 1991, it broke free from Yugoslavia after a costly and painful war that was desperately fought for its freedom. The stories I heard from the seniors in some of the villages were incredibly impactful. Many paid an enormous price. The Croatians lost between 15,000 and 20,000 of their people during this time. The healing continues to this day, and the scars are still evident when you speak to the long-time survivors of this horrific battle. The scars can also be found on buildings across many of their cities, particularly in the old city of Dubrovnik. Bullet holes and damage from mortar shells remain scattered throughout the 12th-century buildings. But throughout it all, the Croatians remain a resilient, positive, and, by and large, happy nation.

Our own republic was born from a struggle for freedom and self-government. We celebrate our founding fathers—individuals who believed that liberty was worthy of sacrifice. Walking through the towns of Croatia like Split and Ston, I couldn’t help but think that although our histories unfolded centuries apart, they are connected by the same enduring truth: freedom is never inherited. It is earned, protected, and cherished. Perhaps it is because we recently celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, but this trip felt personal and connected.

The birth of Croatia is a remarkable story, and I think that this incredible country and its history deserve more of our time and attention. Croatia’s fight for its existence gave birth to some important lessons in leadership. Leaders can sometimes emerge from overlooked places—places of necessity and hardship. Sometimes the best leaders aren’t the loudest or the biggest ones in the room. They are the ones who know where they came from and appreciate the gifts that they have been bestowed.  They are aware of sacrifice and how people should be treated, even in wartime.

The Croatian people have endured significant hardship, and despite it all, they have prospered and reached staggering heights. You can see the rebirth in the faces of the families in each of the fishing ports and smaller villages. You can see the rebirth and joy in the restaurants and small shops. You can see the rebirth in the spans of new bridges, in the modernized ports and in the rebuilt neighborhoods. Croatia has rebuilt patiently and quietly exceeded all expectations. It has become one of Europe’s most inviting destinations while preserving the authenticity that makes it so special. Rather than attempting to imitate its more famous neighbors, Croatia has embraced its own identity. That is probably its greatest strength.

Too often we measure ourselves against someone else’s success. We compare our careers, our businesses, our communities to those already standing in the spotlight. But greatness doesn’t come from imitation. It comes from discovering what makes you unique and having the confidence to build upon it. Croatia is doing just that. It no longer deserves to be described as Europe’s “hidden gem.” Hidden implies undiscovered. Croatia has been discovered by those fortunate enough to experience it. Now the rest of the world is simply catching up. Croatia no longer stands in anyone’s shadow.