Name: Diego Ignacio Gómez M.

Title: Senior Corporate Counsel Latin America | President of Asociación Latinoamericana de Gerencias Legales | GL LATAM

Organisation: FIS (Fortune 500 | S&P 500) | GL LATAM

I am an international corporate lawyer and a trilingual Counsel, specializing in transactional and general corporate matters.

Throughout my career, I garnered valuable experience through positions at prestigious law firms, growth-oriented multinational corporations, and global Fortune 500 companies, which led me to cultivate extensive expertise in both private practice and in-house roles, delivering reliable business legal advice to clients worldwide, with a specific focus on Latin America's various jurisdictions, particularly in countries such as Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

Besides that, I am the current president of the Latin American Association of Legal Management | GL LATAM, whose purpose is the exchange of best management practices between legal departments in Latin America and the Caribbean in order to professionalize and give visibility to the role of in-house lawyers in the generation of value for the development of the business

This specialized focus allows me to navigate the different legal systems and cultural nuances of the region, navigating complex cross-border legal work and business transactions through the globe with a special emphasis on Latin America, ensuring effective and tailored solutions for my clients.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Diego's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

One of the greatest challenges a leader faces is cultivating the resilience to genuinely comprehend diverse perspectives and, as a crucial aspect of growth, acknowledge the possibility that one's own viewpoint might be mistaken.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I step into a leadership role when I fully grasp that my career is within my control. Embracing change, putting in diligent effort, and surrounding myself with like-minded, professional individuals who share the same growth-oriented mindset further solidifies my position as a leader.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I approach my work in a pragmatic and intelligent manner. Being inherently organized, I maintain an efficient schedule, take meticulous notes, and consistently prioritize tasks that hold the most value for the job. This ability to discern priorities within the broader perspective has been a skill I've worked diligently to develop.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

In new projects, the ability to sustain team motivation is crucial. As a leader, projecting calmness is vital, trusting that the meticulously thought-out and defined strategy will indeed work. In simpler terms, it's about placing trust in the process.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

As someone who values practicality, I appreciate the leadership books from Harvard Business Review. Despite their age, they provide practical examples for enhancing leadership. I recall a specific instance when I worked with a junior lawyer who lacked motivation. I delivered a necessary pep talk, emphasizing that even seemingly less significant tasks are integral to the bigger picture. I stressed the importance of executing them with excellence to succeed in our overall strategy.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Never cease learning throughout your entire life, and be curious.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

From my perspective, it's about embracing learning and innovation. If the current situation doesn't provide ample opportunities for personal growth, create them yourself. There's always a way to connect with new people and drive change by being bold.