What have I learned in 2022?

As a tradition (to myself!) I have been publishing a summary of articles, TED Talks, books, podcasts, etc., that hit me during the year, so those who like to use these slower days to read, listen, and think have different motives do it.

But, 2022 was such an intense and interesting year - the first year for CI&T as public CO (here), my first year overseeing the People area, and our move to the US (here), all during the craziness of 2022 itself (everywhere!) - that I will just share I few thoughts that are my best learnings of this unique year.?

Hope they help you reflect and get ready for the crazy 2023 ahead of us!

It's all about PEOPLE - if anyone still thinks businesses are about products, strategy, or even about execution, I think this is profound myopia. In a year of layoffs and in which lots of companies decided not to honor their only really valuable asset - People - it became radically clear to me that the ones that will thrive in the long run are the ones that care about their People, not the so obvious opposite.

It's not about work, it's about life - the pandemic alerted us that there is no professional life and personal life. There is only one life. And, by knowing this, people started to realize that they had to choose for their lives, not for their careers. Naturally, downturns in the global economy will slow down some decisions, but I see a radical change in the way people think, live, and decide about work.?

It's not about inspiration, it's about orchestration - Leadership was about being the boss, and now it is about inspiration, but, in a world where individuality is more respected, leadership has to shift from inspiration (follow the leader) to orchestration (do it with the leader). Orchestrators are the contemporary leaders for the post-pandemic times.

It's not about purpose, it's about meaning - in a world where individuals can thrive and have a fulfilled life independently of the business card they carry, life must have meanings, with simple and trivial things like picking up your kids at school, writing about the things you love, preparing the meals you adore to your loved ones or working with something you are proud of and enjoy. To have a purpose is great, but rarely do companies have real purposes. At best they can add meaning to people's careers. And that is perfectly nice and enough.

And finally,

It's about balance - people are burnout, and the notion that you first work hard and then enjoy your success is completely mistaken. Life and work are journeys and if you can't enjoy the journey, there is a high risk you never get there and, if you get, you are too old to do the things you love in life or you did not see your life passing. Like everyone, I struggle with this and I am putting extra effort into understanding and changing it myself.

#Gratitude 2022. #Welcome 2023.