Gökalp Bahçeli

Gökalp Bahçeli is the CEO of Yatsan, a leading global Turkish brand specialising in sleep solutions. With a background in business engineering and extensive experience in the information technology sector, he transitioned into the bedding industry to focus on enhancing sleep quality and promoting wellness.

Under his leadership, Yatsan has become a pioneer in integrating technology with sleep products, aiming to improve the quality of sleep for individuals. Bahçeli is also the host of the podcast series 1001 Nights of Sleep, where he explores the importance of sleep and its impact on health and well-being.

In addition to his professional work and accomplishments, Bahçeli leads the Sleep Well, Feel Well webinars, focusing on mental and physical health. Through these voluntary sessions, he supports employee well-being and advocates for a culture that prioritises rest, recovery, and overall health, both in the workplace and in life.

A Commitment to Allyship and Inclusion

For me, an inclusive culture means creating an environment where everyone can be themselves, share their ideas freely, and feel valued. I envision a world—both in my personal and professional life—where people are accepted for who they are. True success, in my opinion, starts with creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. As leaders, our most important role is to feel responsible for our employees, treat everyone equally, and provide the same opportunities. "Corporate culture," often described as a set of standards everyone expects, is ultimately about creating an environment where everyone has the same opportunities. It’s about consistency and providing security through clearly defined processes, so no one feels left behind.

In the context of Inclusive Culture, being an ally means supporting equal opportunities, defined processes, and fair evaluations for all.

Experiencing Allyship and Personal Growth

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with many different people, and I’ve learned that true allyship is not just about silently supporting others; it also means speaking up when necessary. Over the years, I’ve spent more time questioning my own biases and listening to others' stories. I’ve realised that success in the workplace comes from evaluating situations through a holistic perspective, where you can understand different viewpoints. You're practising allyship if you can listen to diverse ideas and approach them with respect. This understanding has become the foundation of my own approach to allyship—each new perspective opens a new window, and while you may not agree with every idea, you must hear it.

Actions to Make Others Feel Valued

I believe that truly listening to others and walking alongside them is the first step to understanding. Creating spaces where people can express themselves without judgment makes them feel valued. In my personal journey, I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from suppressing differences but from embracing them as strengths. At the heart of the business world is the individual, and understanding them isn’t as difficult as it seems. The key is knowing that what you expect from others is often what they expect from you. Instead of making assumptions, simply ask. When you ask for someone’s opinion, they want to be heard, and that’s the first step in making them feel valued. It’s important to create an environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. Listening to others' perspectives is one of the most valuable ways to demonstrate respect.

Reflecting Inclusivity in Personal Life

The values we uphold in our professional lives inevitably influence every area of our personal lives. In my family, among my friends, and in my daily interactions, I strive to approach others without prejudice. I also try to teach my children the importance of not labelling someone before getting to know them, emphasising that each individual is special because of their differences. Diversity, for me, is a source of enrichment. Different cultures, viewpoints, and experiences are opportunities to see the world from a variety of perspectives. Understanding what you don’t know, recognising what you haven’t seen, and learning from experiences you haven’t had—that’s the essence of inclusivity. This mindset has shaped both my personal life and my approach to business.

Advice on Allyship and Inclusion

The most important advice I would give to others about allyship and inclusion is: Listen. Being a true ally doesn’t start with being the loudest voice in the room, but with genuinely hearing others. Trying to understand different perspectives is the first step in the process of change.

Allyship begins with empathy. If you don’t truly understand someone, you can’t be an ally. Listening with a sincere intention to understand is the most meaningful effort you can make.

Being a Good Ally in Daily Life

Being a good ally means supporting others not just with words but with actions. Every day, I strive to take small steps: giving a voice to someone who might be quieter in a meeting, making different viewpoints visible, or raising my voice against injustice. Allyship, to me, is the sum of the small, meaningful actions we take in our daily lives.

Being fair is easy to say, but it’s more complex in practice. True fairness is about consistency—treating people according to established procedures, rather than personal opinions.

When decisions are made based on clear standards and not personal preferences, people know that fairness has been applied. It’s not always easy, but consistency in behavior leads to equal treatment for everyone.

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