If you lead Italians, they expect you to look out for them. Not just to manage their work, but to take a genuine interest in their wellbeing, to advocate for their interests, and to shield them when needed.
This is the stewardship compact—you take responsibility for the people under your authority, and in return, they give you their loyalty and effort. This is deeply personal. It means knowing when someone is struggling, stepping in when external pressures threaten your team, and making sure people feel that their leader is on their side. A leader who takes without giving, who demands performance without investing in the people delivering it, breaks this compact—and once broken, it is very difficult to repair.
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