I’m always interested in discussing leadership. Why? Because it is difficult to find a good one. At the very least, this is my conclusion after more than 25 years of experience working for private companies, international non-governmental organizations, and social development programs. I didn’t say there was none. There are several. When I found them, I made a mental note to learn from them. Victor Bottini is one of them.
Sunday the 18th of May 2025, I attended “Vic’s Memorial Gathering,” a tribute to my former boss at the World Bank, Victor Bottini. People gathered casually. Not many, but distinct people. We all have fond memories of Victor Bottini as a friend, boss, mentor, colleague, or whatever he is to each of us.
Everyone who came shared stories about Victor being kind-hearted, lovely, professional, full of spirit, funny, and inspirational. There is nothing wrong with him. That’s why, when someone shared a good memory about Vic, everyone nodded.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him, even if only for a short time. He interviewed me for the position of Communications Specialist at the World Bank. I knew very little about him, which was a shame because he was already a great man. He is a legend in the community-driven development program PNPM (National Community Empowerment Program).
Let me share about his leadership style. Two words: empowerment and modesty.
When I joined the World Bank-PSF (PNPM Support Facility), he assigned me a large task. As a rookie, I was extremely nervous. I had to coordinate all unit leads at the World Bank, the majority of whom are very senior and well-known for their work, to give a presentation to a new boss. Contacting them one by one was not an easy task, especially since they were all very busy. Let alone making sure their presentation was submitted on time.
I knew Vic was aware of my nervousness. I could tell, he was paying close attention to me at times. I knew he saw me up and down trying to finish the assignment. So, here’s the interesting one: I noticed that he paid close attention to me but did not say much. He came to check on me on a regular basis, offering assistance and encouragement. He was always available for me to ask questions and get help. The way he checked on me did not make me nervous. He did not want to be a burden to me. But I know he needed me to complete the task successfully. He spoke softly. When I made a mistake, he nodded and suggested a new approach. There is no anger. No harsh words. After hearing my challenges, he nodded and suggested, “Why don’t you try to …….”
His demeanor made me uncomfortable, and I felt guilty if I didn’t complete the task well. Having a boss like that made me tell myself, “I just have to do this very well.” How can someone lead in such a way that he does not stress out his subordinate at work while also not allowing the subordinate to give up? He kept pushing me gently forward. He trusted me. And it made me unwilling to betray his trust.
This was new to me. He not only worked in the empowerment program, but he also breathed the “empowerment” spirit into his daily life when he led a team, mentored his subordinates, and collaborated with partners and the community. He is truly an empowering father.
The second quality is modesty. When I worked with him, he never caused any ‘drama’ at work. He was simply a humble man, although he is well-known in Indonesia for his contributions to community-driven development. My work life was peaceful. He was also able to establish himself well with various stakeholders, including government officials, donors, partners, and the community. He was the type of person who talked little and did more. He didn’t try to steal fame from others either. These are the characteristics I recall from him. Rest in peace, Pak Vic!
No Comments