Teamwork: How to Boost Productivity and Innovation in Your Company

Have you ever truly considered what you would do if a close family member were facing a terminal illness? Have you thought about what they might want from you in that moment? Have you reflected on how you would like to be supported? This is one of life’s most difficult realities, and one that many of us will inevitably face. I speak from experience. But today, I’m not here to share my personal story. Instead, I want to reflect on a moment from my professional life that deeply reinforced my perspective.

A few years ago, long before the COVID-19 pandemic, while managing a company, I had the fortune of working with an exceptional individual at the personal and professional level, who through years of effort, dedication, and talent, grew within the company and reached a leadership position.

Unfortunately, along with her professional success, she faced life’s inevitable challenges. Her husband was in the terminal stages of cancer, a disease he had battled for years. As his condition worsened, the care he required, coupled with the responsibility of raising their children, made an already difficult situation even more overwhelming—not to mention the immense sorrow it brought. When I learned of her heartbreaking circumstances, we had several conversations. While I knew I couldn’t change her reality, I honestly wished I could offer a solution to ease her pain, but I didn’t, no one does. The only thing I could do was give her the opportunity to set her own priorities and decide how she wanted to spend the remaining time with her husband. So, I gave her my unconditional support. I encouraged her to spend as much time as she wanted with him, to work from home whenever she felt able to, and reassured her that her team and I would handle everything in her absence. I also promised to only contact her if something urgent or critical arose. Two months later, the inevitable happened. It was a deeply sorrowful event, but unavoidable.

During that time, I honored my commitment. I let her manage her schedule with no conditions or rules. The business was never affected, results remained stable, her team carried on, and the company didn't lose anything. What did happen, however, was that we stayed true to our core value of “caring for people”, treating them as human beings, not just numbers, and making them feel like part of a “family” rather than just a member of a workforce. We chose not to hide behind corporate policies and legal labor rights. Instead, we prioritized the human element. The company didn’t lose; in fact, it gained an unshakably loyal employee, someone who would go the extra mile to represent it in the best way possible because her loyalty was strengthened by a simple act of care and solidarity. I firmly believe that this is what Richard Branson meant when he said, “Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.”

Unfortunately, in my experience working with various companies in leadership programs and mentorships, I have found that many organizations claim to uphold values centered around caring for people. These values are often framed in different ways, using various words or phrases, but they remain confined to policies, procedures, and corporate statements. When it comes to actually applying these principles, we often forget that it is us, the leaders, who determine whether they are truly upheld.

Why Should I Lead with Humanity?

Leading with humanity is essential not just because leadership itself is about serving others, but because by doing so, we demonstrate true compassion and a genuine interest in others. This builds trust, increases commitment to shared goals, and allows us to support people in reaching their full potential which, ultimately, is our main role.

It’s ironic how companies often say that no one is indispensable, which is true because a team is more than its individual members. Talent is important, but it’s not the only factor. However, if we truly believe that no one is indispensable, why do we insist on making people feel irreplaceable when they are going through personal hardships? Wouldn’t that be the perfect moment to provide unconditional support and show them that their well-being matters more than a few weeks or months of work an insignificant timeframe in the life of a company?

What Should I Do as a Good Leader?

As leaders, we must understand that we work with human beings—that is the essence of leadership. As the American comedian George Carlin once said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Everything else is just decoration. Each life is different, each person is unique, and each situation is distinct. As leaders, we are not required to live other people’s lives, but we are expected to put ourselves in their shoes and lead with empathy.

A company’s success begins with a strong and well-aligned team. Learn how to enhance collaboration, boost productivity, and foster innovation with our training sessions. At Unlock Engine, we provide practical tools to build a motivated and resilient team. 📩 Contact us now and transform your company! 👇

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