“Excelling as a manager requires more than just technical expertise; it demands strong leadership and interpersonal skills.” - William Matsubara, Treasury Manager at CCEE

William Matsubara is the Treasury Manager at Câmara de Comercialização de Energia Elétrica (CCEE) in São Paulo, Brazil. His work requires him to oversee the organisation's financial strategy, ensuring efficient management of cash flow and investments, while navigating the complexities of the energy market. In addition, as part of his role, he is leading a team of six professionals responsible for CCEE’s financial sustainability and operations. 

William, like many experienced professionals, recognised that, while his technical expertise in strategy and finance was a strong foundation, advancing in his career required improving his leadership and interpersonal skills. With a clear vision of his goals, he sought to enhance his ability to manage teams effectively and unlock new professional opportunities. 

To achieve this, he enrolled in a call of the Santander Course | MBA Essentials – LSE, a ten-week and 100% online course designed for professionals who want to learn the essential business skills to make better decisions and achieve greater impact in their organisations.

In this interview, William shares with us how this course has provided him with the tools and insights needed to transition from a capable manager to an exceptional leader, honing his high-level interpersonal skills and leadership abilities.

How did you notice that you had the need to improve your skill set?

With over a decade of experience in the energy sector, I had sufficient technical expertise to perform my tasks as a member of a team and to contribute individually to my projects. However, when I became a manager, I realised that I needed more than just technical expertise to excel in this position. At this point, it was evident for me that I had to develop essential soft skills like influence and negotiation to effectively lead and manage a team. I felt the next step to meeting my professional aspirations was learning how to lead through influence and example rather than rote authority.

And were you able to achieve your goal in this course?

The course offered a comprehensive curriculum that certainly aligned perfectly with my professional needs and aspirations. It has been instrumental in pushing me beyond my usual boundaries, allowing me to see new opportunities and approach challenges with fresh perspectives. 

What was the most rewarding part from this experience?

I guess that the most rewarding aspect has been not only transforming my leadership style into one that knows how to align team objectives with the company's values and motivate others through the company culture, but also witnessing these tangible improvements first-hand. 

For example, I recently led a high-stakes financial operation involving BRL 8 billion in receivables. This project required financial expertise, but also strong negotiation skills and the ability to motivate a diverse team under tight deadlines. Seeing my team work together more effectively made me feel a renewed sense of purpose. 

This was a clear example of how the course equipped me with the strategic thinking needed to navigate these challenges effectively, since I fostered a collaborative and motivated work environment, leading to stronger team cohesion and productivity.

How do you face your next professional steps now?

This course has significantly boosted my confidence to take on more complex projects and responsibilities. I aim to become a leader of leaders, eventually pursuing a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position. I’m focusing on continuous learning, leadership development, and strategic thinking to prepare for greater responsibilities. My goal now is to drive impactful changes within the organisation while expanding my influence across the company.

As can be seen, developing essential soft skills, such as leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities, has been crucial for William to navigate some demanding aspects of his job, particularly, managing a team. For this reason, he fully advises someone in his similar position to take part in this course in order to build a network of professionals that not only expands your knowledge, but also creates a supportive community that can drive your career forward. 

Like William, do you want to enhance your own development to take on greater responsibilities? Banco Santander, in collaboration with The London School of Economics and Political Science, one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions in the fields of economics and business, launches 1,000 seats for the Santander Course | MBA Essentials 2024 – LSE.  

In this ten-week, 100% online certificate course, designed so that you can complete it at your own pace, you will quickly and practically learn the essential business skills to make better decisions and achieve greater impact within your organisation. The programme is offered in English, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.

This is a unique opportunity to take an in-depth look at the three pillars of business management and leadership taught in an MBA: strategy, finance and leading teams. Additionally, you will be supported by the best mentors and facilitators from the LSE and you will be able to interact with your peers via weekly forums and group dynamics. The course has no cost for the beneficiaries, and it is not necessary to have a university degree, nor to be a Banco Santander customer.

Do you want to play a more relevant role in decision-making in your professional environment? Sign up for the Santander Course | MBA Essentials 2024 – LSE and whether you get it or not, never stop learning.

(At the moment, the Santander Course | MBA Essentials 2024 - LSE has reached its end, but we encourage you to have a look at the Santander Open Academy website to find the training that best suits you and give a boost to your professional career. Seize the chance to develop your knowledge and skills!)