Be a Leader
Simon Sinek said, "We call them leaders because they go first. It is a strong expression that few understand its true meaning, but what does it really mean to be one? Speaking from experience is always enriching. In my professional career, I have had to manage several groups and face different situations, one of them was when I was recently hired by a company dedicated to foreign trade tasks; my boss at that time told me that we had to reduce staff, due to budget issues and we had to make a relevant study to fill the positions based on profitability and productivity, to stay with the best profiles and the best business units. The restructuring lasted approximately 20 days, working extended days to accomplish technical work.
After presenting the evaluation through a presentation with management indicators, the decision was not the most technical; in the end, other factors were involved. But that is when a leader comes to the front, stands up for the group, and faces decisions that his superiors do not take in the best way. Many times, these types of situations are not known by the group; they are issues that the leader must handle and face alone and watch over his work team.
After explaining the reasons why the decision was wrong, the Management decided to stick to its position, and several good elements had to be let go, much to my regret.
What this case raises is very common in companies, and far from what books and consultants say, the fact is that you are not the owner of the company; you are the leader of a group that responds to the Management, with its successes and mistakes but you have been hired to bring the ship to port. The question before this is, would you refuse to take a good element facing the order of your direct boss? Or do you face injustice even at the cost of your own job as a leader of your group? Many will say I stand up to it and if they don't listen to my advice then they don't need me, well, that may be a good answer or even a consultant's answer, but the reality is that these difficult tests are what shape our temperament as leaders, as experts in making things happen and in managing groups and projects to achieve the company's objectives.
However, many times, we will have to face these situations, and our professional technical and moral training will always be our guide for the best decision-making; things do not always go as we would like, however, we will know inside ourselves when a decision was fair or not, and our collaborators perceive this, and it is part of the criteria that they form about us and then become the pillars of respect. A leader is at the front, he does not defend his position, he defends his work group, and his work group defends him. But let's not get confused, the objective will always be to comply with the company, its mission, vision, values, and principles. As leaders, we have the power to shape the workgroups that will help us achieve these objectives. This influence is a key part of our role.