Original Spanish version published in elcomercio.pe on April 12, 2020
Given all the things those of us who lead have to do –stand up and be counted, be there, take charge of things, communicate a lot, answer questions even when we don’t have all the answers, keep calm, learn very quickly, constantly inform ourselves, plan, resolve, and act without delay–, we tend to leave “human” issues to one side.
Sounds obvious. Each of us is trying to survive the waves of uncertainty that come at us every day, and with our way of life upended, we have to set priorities. Thinking about the emotions and feelings of others sounds anything but urgent, to say the least.
However, today more than ever, those of us who have the inescapable responsibility of being a leader in our organizations, boards, teams, or families must internalize that empathy is one of the most valuable human skills to reinforce, as are curiosity, flexibility and adaptability. To lead empathically, we need to understand that respect for other people begins by recognizing, accepting, and validating the emotions and feelings of others, although we may not like to deal with them or know how to do it well.
That respect is what allows us to understand how extremely complicated and difficult the world has become for many. We should not judge, but rather see that not everyone reacts the same to the same stimuli, understanding that tempers are moved by individual pressures that we may know nothing about. Resilience is a skill which some have developed more than other people have and that what for some are challenges to solve, for others are gigantic mountains to climb daily.
To lead with a focus on respect for others under all circumstances is essential and non-negotiable. Respect, empathy, frequent recognition, warmth, and authenticity –but never arrogance or indifference– allow relationships to flow positively even in the most complicated of times, such as those where we need to effect changes in objectives, goals, operability, responsibilities, conditions, and even in some situations, the very continuity of a relationship.
Emphasizing care for people’s dignity and self-esteem amid changes fosters trust and allows dialogue. Create the right environment to see other perspectives. Despite our current situation, it gives many the opportunity to grow, improve their attitudes, focus on the future, and bring out their talent, character, commitment, and maturity.
Today, more than ever, it is vital that our actions be consistent with our personal, family, and organizational values. Uncertainty, urgency, or crisis does not give anyone an excuse to be abusive, or act without respect, criteria, or decency. Empathy with others does not inhibit us from acting or making realistic, tough, or very difficult decisions. Rather, it facilitates the relationship of trust to even plan and implement the most complicated decisions together, if done correctly and fairly, and above all, with respect and a lot of humanity.
The new normal is complex and challenging. Our best positive attitude will be decisive for us to ...
Good leaders seek and create network with other leaders. They know they are responsible for devel...
ncertainty, urgency, or crisis does not give anyone an excuse to be abusive, or act without respe...
Care for yourself by ensuring that you keep stress and workloads at manageable levels. Pass on go...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper on April 26, 2020 Whe...
Published in www.ypo.org on September 11, 2020 I am still fascinated by the results of ...
The concerns, motivations, or problems of each team member, as well as the challenges and obstacl...
You are the head of the corporation that is you. Take 30 minutes each quarter to review how much ...
The key is to reframe your attitude so that you don’t fall behind. Recognize your advantages and ...
I continue to work in this and we are making headway, but more respect, empathy, and, sometimes, ...
It’s important to identify our level of employability, recognize its advantages and limitations, ...
Originally published in ceoworld.biz on May 21, 2019 The world of work has changed dramatically, ...
To improve employability, we need to persistently sharpen our work skills and social intelligence...
The challenge is to thoroughly understand our personal reactions to change and immediately focus ...
And yes, we deserve to give ourselves the opportunity to find a job that awakens our enthusiasm a...
Some time ago, I made a mistake, which like all of the mistakes we make, was completely involunta...
Remember that productivity and employability are intrinsically linked –the higher the level of em...
Of course, this is a huge challenge to personal discipline, but we have to appeal to professional...
I want a leader who inspires my respect and admiration for his/her serious, legitimate, and authe...
Original Spanish version published in America Economia (Peru) on September 22, 2016 Ma...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on June 11, 2016 “I don’t like...
If you were patient enough to answer these questions and if you made the effort to write the answ...
Original Spanish version published in Aptitus magazine, on May 9, 2018 It is common to see c...
¿Cuántos de nosotros nos sentimos realmente hábiles en las redes? ¿Quién tiene tiempo de calidad ...
What a pleasure it is to help groups of Peruvians to allow themselves to dream and imagine a bett...
When traveling, you remember and compare the experience you had at each hotel where you stayed. ...
The way we answer and the quality of the ideas we express will differentiate us from the others w...
Original Spanish version published in America Economia (Latin America) on March 27, 2018 We ...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on March 18, 2018 Twenty-...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru), March 4, 2018 Regardless of t...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on February 17, 2018 There are...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on January 20, 2018 Hacking, i...
Translation of the original article published December 21, 2017 on América Economía (Latam) Some ...
Original Spanish version published in America Economia (Latin America) on October 23, ...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on September 30, 2017 Man...
Original Spanish version published in America Economia (Latin America) on September 2, 2017 There...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on July 22, 2017 And when I [&...
Translation of the original article published June 24, 2017 on El Comercio (Perú) Given all the n...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on January 4, 2017 We all...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on March 4, 2017 As a young [&...
Original Spanish version published in the El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on February 4, 2...
1.Good leaders lead (excuse the redundancy) for the greater good, not to build up their egos, [&h...
Some time ago I wrote about this same subject and was very pleased with the comments […]
Translation of the original article published July 23, 2016 on El Comercio (Perú). Tired of so m...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on May 20, 2015 Who wants...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) on January 1, 2017 Advers...
Being perceived as young or old is now associated more with a series of behaviors and attitudes t...
It’s important to note that our facial expressions, gestures, and posture also send those valuabl...
Original Spanish version published in El Comercio newspaper (Peru) in November 21, 2016 I h...
Original Spanish version published in America Economia (Latin America) on October 28, 2016 As har...