107 2016 Thanks to this, in the last 12 months almost two million jobs have been lost. If we consider undocumented jobs and jobs not created, an estimated four million people who have been made unemployed by the crisis. Terrible, isn’t it? In other companies a reduction in personnel is the last step to be taken. They try to keep staff on for as long as possible. What could the reason for such different attitudes be? The main reason is the type of leadership at the company. In the latter, certainly, we will find many Servant Leaders. I have had the good fortunate to meet lots of people who have the character traits and attitude that make up what James C. Hunter calls Server Leaders in his book The Servant. The first two examples were my parents, whom I thank for the training I received, starting me in the process that led my becoming an effective leader. I would like to stress that leadership goes beyond the boundaries of the company where we work, and is exercised in every aspect of our lives. We are leaders as parents, husbands or wives, at church, in a club - in any situation where we have to interact with others. It can be said that leading means establishing relationships. Of course, the quality of these relationships will depend on the type of leadership we exercise. Leadership brings great pleasure. What father does not feel extreme happiness on first holding a newborn child? However, how many parents at that moment think of the huge responsibility they are taking on by bringing a child into the world? Who is not happy to be promoted to a management position? After all, you will get paid more, have more benefits, get professional recognition. However, how many of these new managers think about the responsibility they will have, leading a team and having to promote their personal and professional development? How many people recognize that the environment at home for each of their team members and their families will depend on how they act as a leader? Some concepts for reflection: Leadership is the ability to influence people, to work enthusiastically, aiming to achieve the goals identified as being for the common good. A true leader can write their company name in the hearts of the people, the work they do in their souls and, in the meantime, prepare their successor. I conclude with a story that I believe is perfectly possible. A very competitive, medium-sized company makes profits for many years, which allows its owner to build a rich heritage. The staff, most of them at the company for many years, are competent people who are extremely dedicated to the company. The owner, recognizing this, pays salaries above the market level and good bonuses at Christmas. Then a crisis strikes that causes a sharp fall in sales. The crisis promises to be long, resulting in the need to reduce production. What can be done? For many companies the first measure to be taken would layoffs in order to adapt the workforce to the new production demands. In this company, however, the owner recognizes that the profits that built up his assets were down to the dedication of his employees, and he does not consider the possibility of abandoning them to unemployment. Instead, he put them on vacation, reduces working hours with only a partial discount on salaries and he sells some assets to meet any cash requirements during the crisis. So, at the end of the crisis the company can resume its profitability and take it further because the team is even more motivated and united. I know that for many people this is utopian nonsense. I do not think so. I believe that in a situation like this, if the company’s leadership really appreciates and respects its employees, practicing the commandment “Love your neighbor as you love yourself,” this story is perfectly possible. I imagine even that it has already happened. Recommended reading by the author: • The monk and the executive - James C. Hunter • How to become a servant leader - James C. Hunter • Moments of Truth - Jan Carlzon
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