In our discussion with Charles, we delved into the motivations behind his article and how he embodies the principles he advocates.
Leaders in crisis management
Mastering other soft skills like decisiveness, perseverance, and remaining calm under fire, are also critical for FMs supervising large, dispersed portfolios. Crisis management and working through challenging situations is often a reality in remote locations, he says, and this is when FMs can really demonstrate leadership.
“Leading extensive portfolios with geographically dispersed teams requires Facility Managers to shine, especially in crisis situations. During COVID-19, FMs played a critical role in navigating challenges and demonstrating their ability to handle major disruptions."
Bringing people along
In Facilities Management, where people are at the heart of operations, these skills are indispensable. Charles has honed his leadership through empathy and active listening not only in his career but also as Chairman of the Board at Minus 18, a nonprofit organisation supporting LGBTQIA+ youth.
“As Chairman of the Board at Minus 18 and coach of a diverse group, I’ve learned that true leadership involves actively listening and leading with empathy. Your own opinion may not always be the best one in the group, but by building trust through empathetic leadership and genuinely listening to others, you can achieve significantly better outcomes,” he adds.
Whether dealing with a pandemic, natural disaster or unexpected incidents, staying calm under pressure is key. When faced with serious issues such as safety concerns, injuries or cyclones, focusing on facts and making the best decisions with the available information allows an FM to step out of the shadows and emerge as a true leader.”