In the journey of my career, the first true leader I encountered was Shahnaz and she was responsible for over 400 people. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand what fairness truly means in the context of leadership.
In a workforce of 400 employees, a unique situation unfolded: two individuals found a loophole that could facilitate their transfer to a department where tips from customers were a part of the package. Their respective managers, aggrieved by this perceived exploitation, swiftly approached our leader, demanding the immediate termination of these two employees.
Shahnaz, our leader, exhibited a remarkable display of fairness: she took the time to listen to the grievances of the two department heads, providing them with a platform to express their concerns. After patiently hearing them out, she asked a simple yet profound question: were these employees performing their duties effectively? The answer from both department heads was a resounding “yes.”
Shahnaz made a crucial point: as long as individuals are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively, she had no interest in launching investigations, looking for evidence or delving into the minutiae of any potential wrongdoing. Her focus was unswervingly on performance.
In a clear and concise message to the department heads, Shahnaz emphasized the core purpose of our collective presence in the organization. She reminded them that the ultimate goal is performance. Performance for each department. As long as employees are delivering results and meeting expectations, she was not inclined to interfere and, in doing so, potentially demotivate those who were performing admirably.
This approach to leadership left an indelible mark on me. Shahnaz’s commitment to fairness, coupled with a steadfast focus on performance, created a work environment where individuals felt valued and motivated.
It was a powerful lesson that fairness in leadership goes beyond enforcing rules—it involves recognizing and nurturing the contributions of individuals who are excelling in their roles.
In a world where leadership is often associated with wielding authority and dominating employees trough titles, Shahnaz exemplified that true leadership also encompasses empathy, fairness, and a commitment to fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive based on their merits.
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