If there is something that I have learned in my professional tour, it is that no one is born to be a leader; It is built step by step. Sometimes, contrary to certainties; Others, navigating uncertainty.
My own path began long before having a title or a team in charge: it was born in listening, empathy and genuine need to positively influence those around me.
At first, leadership seemed a matter of authority or results. Today I know it is much more complex-and much more human.
I was understanding that It’s not about shining alone, but helping others discover their light.
Leading demands courage to make decisions, but also humility to admit errors.
That you have to learn to communicate with purpose, connect emotionally, and be willing to transform as many times as necessary.
I have traveled roads that demanded strategy, resilience and much introspection. I transit spaces of doubt, resistance to change, and moments in which leading was simply to sustain.
I have encountered teams that expected certainties, and I had to learn that sometimes it is better to offer questions than answers.
Because True leadership does not impose: inspires, accompanies, listening and transforming.
Today, drawing this road map from my own experience, I understand that Leadership is not a destination, but a constant journey. And that the greatest leadership gesture may be recognizing that we continue to learn every day, about ourselves and others.
I remember a key moment. It was my first time coordinating a commercial team. We had ambitious objectives and I felt forced to demonstrate firmness. However, things did not flow: tense meetings, inconsistent results, and faces that avoided their eyes.
A collaborator approached me and told me:
“Maybe we don’t need you to go to us … we need you to understand us.”
That phrase, so simple, disarmed me. It was my turning point.
Since then, I understood that Leading is not just deciding: it’s connecting. It is being willing to transform the approach, to communicate with purpose, and to offer more questions than answers. I learned that the authority without link is only instruction, and that leadership with soul is born from mutual respect.
When can we say that someone is a leader? Today I think that one begins to be a leader not when they name it, but when the impact becomes collective. When the values that we defend begin to live in others, and when our actions leave traces even in those who did not share the way directly.
With the experience and the path traveled, I have made a synthesis to mark the process in 5 stages:
Initial stage. As a concept, active listening prevails and as a central value empathy.
Stage that I call “of the first team.” Here the doubt and the decision appear. You have to face it with humility.
Stage of “transformative failure”, where the concept of redefining the role is imposed. And learning is shown as central value.
Stage of “conscious leadership”, which marks the presence of links and purpose. Without a doubt, the central value is occupied by trust.
And finally the stage of “continuous present.” Conceptually there is a permanent evolution and adaptability is shown as the main value.
The road map is still under construction. Because leading is not to arrive: it is walking with conscience, transforming with humility, and learning every day, even from our own versions in draft.
To contact Ricardo:
IG: @ricardo.brusasca
Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 351 750-7461
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