ADVERTISEMENT
Rodri, I don’t want to give your family a job. What job? You’re going to be part of the family. When they arrived at the Morales family mansion, Manuel was impressed by the size and luxury of the property. Nice house, Rodri. Thanks. But you know what? All these years living here, I never truly felt at home. Why? Because I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Now with you here, I feel like I can finally be myself. Patricia greeted Manuel with genuine warmth.
The experience at the hospital had changed his perspective on many things. Don Manuel, welcome to our home. I hope you feel comfortable here. Thank you, Doña Patricia. You are very kind. In fact, I need to apologize for the way I treated you initially. I was wrong. You don’t need to apologize. I understand it was a very difficult situation for the entire family. Alberto was still adjusting to the new reality, but he was making an effort to be more receptive. Don Manuel, would you like to visit our offices tomorrow?
May I show you how the company’s administration works? That would be excellent, Alberto. I have a lot to learn, and I also have a lot to learn from you. Manuel’s first week at the Morales family home was a time of adjustment for everyone. He woke up early, as he always had, and helped out in any way he could around the house, even against Patricia’s protests. Don Manuel, we have employees for those tasks. Doña Patricia, working with my hands relaxes me; I can’t sit still.
So, how about helping my husband with the company projects? Rodrigo and Manuel spent hours in the home office planning the new phase of the company. They created a timeline for implementing the changes, starting with the current projects. We’re going to visit all our construction sites, Manu. I want you to see how things are being done and tell me what needs to change. Rodri, are you sure you want to change everything? Yes. Do you know why? Because I realized that success without purpose isn’t success; it’s just accumulation.
The first visit to a construction site was revealing. The workers, initially suspicious of the boss’s presence, were surprised when Rodrigo began talking to each one, asking about their working conditions, their families, their needs. “Don Rodrigo, you’ve changed a lot,” commented one of the older masons. “Yes, you have changed, Ignacio, and I hope for the better.” Manuel observed everything with satisfaction. He was seeing the Rodri he had known 30 years earlier coming back to life. In the following weeks, Rodrigo implemented the first changes in the company.
It improved working conditions on construction sites, raised wages, created a profit-sharing program, and set sustainability goals for all projects. Market reactions were mixed. Some competitors criticized the changes as corporate populism. Others, especially younger clients, praised the company’s new stance. “Dad, quote requests increased 40% this month,” Daniela reported excitedly. “That’s excellent. People want to do business with companies that have values.”
Alberto, although still cautious, began to see the financial benefits of the changes. Dad, we have three competing construction companies asking if they can adopt our profit-sharing model. Perfect. Let’s share our experience with them. The more companies do this, the better for all workers. Patricia also found her place in the company’s new dynamic, creating a support program for employee families. Rodrigo, I organized a group of business owners’ wives to create a mutual support network.
We’re going to offer training courses, childcare, and legal guidance. Patricia, that’s wonderful. You’re proving yourself to be an exceptional partner in this project. Manuel integrated naturally into the company’s routine. His practical experience and ability to relate to employees became essential to the success of the changes. Manu, you have a natural talent for leadership, Rodrigo observed during a meeting. Rodri, you always knew how to see the potential in people. Six months after Rodrigo’s recovery, the company, Morales San Hernández Constructores, had officially changed its name and was becoming a benchmark in the real estate market for its innovative social practices.
The project to transform the building where Manuel lived into quality social housing became a model studied by urban planners across the country. Manu, did you see the TV report about our housing project? Yes, I did, Rodri. Who would have thought our old idea would work so well? It’s not an old idea; it’s a timeless one. Social justice never goes out of style. Alberto had fully adapted to the new business model and was developing an expansion program to other cities.
Dad, we’ve received invitations to implement our model in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Puebla. What do you think, Manu? Are we ready to grow? I think so, but without losing our essence. We’re not interested in growth for growth’s sake. Daniela was finishing a specialized course in sustainable development and planned to take over the company’s sustainability coordination. Dad, I have a proposal to create a line of buildings with a zero carbon footprint. Tell me more. We would use only sustainable materials, solar energy, and rainwater harvesting systems.
It would be an important differentiator. Approved, Manu. What do you think? I think your daughter is going to make a difference in the world. Patricia had discovered a passion for social responsibility and was planning to expand family support programs. Rodrigo, I want to create an independent foundation for our social programs. That way other companies can contribute and participate. Excellent idea. Let’s call it the Manuel and Rodrigo Foundation. I want it to be the True Friendship Foundation, Manuel suggested. Perfect. A year later, during the new company’s first anniversary celebration, Rodrigo gave a moving speech to all the employees and their families.
CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE 🥰💕
ADVERTISEMENT
