Her Journey With LOLA

Justyna Piątek-Pawłowska has taken an unconventional path, challenging norms in Eastern Europe, where classical liberalism and libertarianism are not commonly known or accepted. Through the inception of LOLA Poland, she has pioneered a movement that focuses on the power of ideas over products and the empowerment of women as leaders.

LOLA Poland was founded by Justyna nearly two years ago. Poland now has 12 active LOLA leaders and a vast network of 50 women, all dedicated to the spread of libertarian philosophy. As the regional leader for LOLA Europe, including LOLA Spain, Germany, Georgia, Portugal, and more, she envisions expanding LOLA’s influence across Europe. Starting with the initial goal of having five active chapters by 2023, Justyna has already outpaced that goal, with at least seven chapters opening in 2023. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional thought is a testament to her belief that libertarianism can shape a better future for Poland and Europe.

Justyna shared her inspiration behind the establishment of the LOLA Poland chapter: “I started LOLA Poland because the organization was such a breath of fresh air among the prevalent mainstream narrative of more government control and socialist ideas, especially among women. As someone who comes from a post-communist country like mine, I feel that LOLA’s mission is more important than ever.”

 

 

 

Learning To Trust Herself

At the heart of Justyna’s journey toward the freedom philosophy is a profound shift in perspective, one that challenges the traditional notions of egoism. Altruism, often synonymous with self-sacrifice, took a toll on her life as she constantly prioritized others’ needs over her desires. This path, she realized, led to misery as she struggled to provide for others at the expense of her own well-being. She describes the definition of altruism and her struggles:

“Altruism means acting for the benefit of others, other than acting for the benefit of yourself. To put it simply, it means to sacrifice. Notice how socialist ideas are actually all about altruism: sacrificing yourself for the sake of others, bearing costs of something for the sake of a “greater good.”

For me, it goes back to being a massive people-pleaser in the past. I really, really struggled with such an attitude toward life and towards others. I had a really hard time identifying my needs, what I wanted, and not what others expected from me…however, the more I neglected my desires, the more miserable I became.”

It was through learning about libertarianism and her association with classical liberal and objectivist friends that she found a new direction. These friends embraced rational egoism in leadership, and placed trust in their judgment and experience above the opinions of others. “My ex-people pleaser definitely had something to learn from them!”, Justyna explains. Their approach helped her to shift her mindset completely and become not only a better leader but also a happier individual.

As Justyna explains, “rational egoism shouldn’t be confused with narcissism. Narcissists are so preoccupied with themselves they don’t even notice others or they want others to notice them so bad that they will go to all ends to be the center of attention. They put the blame on everyone but themselves. They are indeed highly non-empathetic and could even hurt others sometimes. Meanwhile, hurting others is never in anyone’s rational self-interest. Being a rational egoist doesn’t mean you’re hurting others, or being non-empathetic, you’re simply being aware of your needs and how you can achieve your goals to live the happiest life possible.”

In her journey, Justyna learned the importance of saying “no” in a way that empowers oneself. This entails not settling for less and refusing offers or relationships that do not align with one’s needs and desires. It’s a crucial step toward self-empowerment, especially for women who often underestimate their skills and hesitate to pursue opportunities.

According to a survey conducted by Harvard Business Review, almost half of the women who responded (41%) admitted to not applying for job openings due to their perceived lack of qualifications. Too many women believed that if they didn’t fit the exact requirements listed in the job posting, their application would be disregarded. However, women can overcome this self-doubt by practicing rational egoism, which involves learning to trust their own experience and accurately valuing their abilities.

At the heart of LOLA’s mission lie two core objectives – to equip women with essential leadership skills and to foster a strong and supportive community. In line with this vision, LOLA strives to empower women to recognize their unique abilities, talents, and experiences, thereby enabling them to lead with confidence and empathy. Rational egoism is one path toward that goal, as Justyna’s story illustrates.

 

 

Learning Leadership Through Rational Egoism

 

In modern society, the concept of freedom is often misunderstood, conflating it with selfishness. We are conditioned to believe that retaining the fruits of our labor and making decisions to pursue our own happiness is somehow wrong. Justyna challenges this conditioning, asserting that true freedom allows individuals to look out for their own interests while finding joy in helping others. It’s not coercion but a genuine desire to make a positive impact.

Furthermore, she points out that the line between altruism and selfishness is thin and that they are interdependent. A world where these concepts are correctly instilled would encourage individuals to pursue their self-interest while actively seeking opportunities to help others, resulting in a more harmonious society.

“Imagine a world where success is not viewed as a threat but as a source of inspiration” Justyna’s journey serves as a reminder that personal success is a result of taking risks, working hard, and pursuing one’s goals, rather than being attributed to one’s character or sheer luck. Adopting this perspective can promote a culture where success is celebrated instead of being resented.

In the end, her message is clear: be content with yourself, for you are the one who has to live with yourself. By embracing rational egoism, we can create a world where individuals are free to pursue their passions, uplift others, and find happiness in their own success. In doing so, we can redefine leadership and reshape society for the better.

 

 

You can help support leaders of liberty like Justyna and the thousands of LOLAs around the world by donating here.