Uncle Kruno: Reflections on Leadership

As the year 2024 winded down, social media was flooded with posts about gratitude, hope, and goals for the future. I spent my holidays in Colombia, taking time to reflect on the past year, and I realized just how blessed I am to lead a group of talented professionals who help me grow not only professionally but also personally.

Below are some reflections on what I believe makes a good leader:

1. Try to Be Useful

Jason Zweig, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, once asked the late and great Charlie Munger what epitaph he might choose—no more than ten words. Munger’s reply was immediate:

"I tried to be useful."

It wasn’t "I was useful", because that’s for others to judge. Rather, "I tried" expresses the humility of someone who continuously strives to make a positive impact. As a parent, spouse, friend, colleague, or leader, aiming to be useful is a powerful guiding principle. We may fall short sometimes, but the effort itself ensures we never become irrelevant—especially in a professional environment.

2. Get "Karma" Points

Be selfless and do good without expecting anything in return. These “karma” points may not always come back to you immediately—or directly—but acting with genuine care and generosity fosters a workplace (and world) built on trust and collaboration.

3. Find Tranquility

Whenever people work together, conflicts are inevitable. Not every issue requires an emotional response. Learning to find tranquility amidst daily stress is vital. By practicing calmness, you can navigate challenges and diffuse tension, ultimately creating a more harmonious environment for your team.

4. Be Humble

Taking on a leadership role can feel intimidating, especially when you believe everyone else “knows everything.” The truth is, nobody has all the answers—particularly in new, uncharted territory. Embracing humility, showing vulnerability, and admitting you don’t know everything doesn’t weaken your leadership; it humanizes it.

5. Always Protect Your Team

Finally, remember that without your team, there wouldn’t be much point in being a leader. Put them first, protect them, and make them feel valued. Celebrate their successes, support their growth, and create a safe space where they can flourish.

Looking Forward

As we head into 2025, I wish you all a blessed year filled with success and new learning experiences. Remember, leadership is a journey—one we can make more meaningful by striving to be useful, selfless, tranquil, humble, and protective of our teams.

Here’s to another year of growing together!

Stay inspired and keep leading with purpose, – Kruno

Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter. Feel free to share your own leadership insights or reflections in the comments or reach out directly.