What makes a leadership style authentic?
When Tom Curtis (President of Burger King) and Joshua Kobza (CEO of RBI) asked me about the foundation of my management approach during a visit to my Burger King restaurant, I didn’t turn to manuals or corporate theories. I immediately recalled my response and my journey in Brazil, back when I worked in journalism.
In those days, one of my greatest passions was using my platform to give visibility to talents living in anonymity. I clearly remember three brilliant teenagers: Carol Matos, Francine Silveira, and Marcos Soares (who, at 18, was already the lead singer of the band Umbigo de Baleia). Carol, at just 14 years old, brightened the end of our gym program with her guitar and beautiful voice, masterfully performing MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) classics by icons like Cássia Eller and Marisa Monte. Francine, at only 15, fascinated us with her impressive renditions of Ana Carolina and Adriana Calcanhotto.
They possessed extraordinary talent, but they lacked a spotlight. Although Marcos already stood out with his band, I believed his precious gift deserved even greater recognition.
One day, I decided to bring the three of them together with a single focus: finding ways to promote them. I managed to secure opportunities for them to perform at popular local spots. The outcome went far beyond public applause. Watching that movement unfold sparked the self-confidence each of them needed to believe in themselves and chase their dreams.
“It was such an enriching time for me! Your support, the doors that opened, and the venues where we performed elevated our standing. We gained visibility and became recognized artists in our scene. What a beautiful memory!” Carol shared with me recently. Besides singing and enchanting everyone with her own original songs, Carol has made a name for herself as a successful Real Estate Agent in southern Brazil.
Francine, now known professionally as Fran Silveira, moved to Florianópolis and continues to pursue her passion for music. “Claudete Matos’s support and presence not only gave me a great friend, but also nurtured my childhood dreams — from the music gatherings with other artists to the project that brought Carol, Marcos, and me together.”
Marcos Soares pursued medicine and now practices as an Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT specialist) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Ironically — or perhaps not — he chose a medical specialty dedicated precisely to hearing and voice, while never setting aside his passion for music. Seeing the paths that he, Carol, and Fran have walked proved to me that the search for one’s voice and the awakening of self-confidence leave lifelong impressions.
Years later, when I moved to the United States and embraced the challenge of developing leaders at Burger King, I realized that my core essence remained unchanged. I had simply changed stages. The attentive eye I used in journalism to spot hidden artistic talent is the exact same empathetic lens I use today to uncover the hidden potential within my team.
So often, the young professionals I lead arrive feeling doubtful or lacking self-confidence. My role as a leader isn’t to create their talent from scratch — the skill and capacity are already there. My mission is to provide the opportunity, place them on the right “stage,” and offer the support they need to overcome their fear and step into the spotlight of their own stories.
When we provide the right environment and genuinely believe in the people working alongside us, self-confidence unlocks. That is where transformation happens: we shape great leaders, transform lives, and make a positive impact on the world around us.
For me, the opportunity to speak about my leadership style with two great figures in global leadership was a privilege. Yet the greatest reward — just like back in the days of those three teenagers — is the gratitude and recognition from everyone who felt empowered by my support.
In life, we may encounter empty stages and quiet audiences, but when we combine dedication and love for what we do, we gain the power to light up someone else’s life. And no applause in the world compares to the joy of watching a new talent shine.
