Fortuner’s Profile: Charlie Aziz

There is no harm of having a second plan. Unyielding spirit, tenacity, and willingness to prepare for any eventuality are things that distinguish leaders from their followers. Charlie Aziz, Managing Director of Plan B team, told another important quality of a true leader: having the courage of a general and a serving fidelity of a corporal.

How did you join Fortune?

In 1999, I replaced Mr. Aris (CEO of Fortune Indonesia) in another agency. It was then I knew him and became friends with him. Then, in February 2006, I joined Fortune by Mr. Aris’s invitation. At that time, my position at Fortune was IBD Director.

Being a leader is certainly not easy especially at the relatively young age. What is the most severe challenge?

Frankly, the most difficult one is to maintain consistency as the difference between the leader and the men is his consistency, mind, and spirit. In addition, a leader must be able to see the positive side of everything. And keeping it all is certainly not an easy thing to do.

While doing the mandate to lead, which leadership style do you consider most effective to be applied in the team?

Server leader. Being a leader means to be ready to serve. Like in a war, I was the general on the battle field. So, there is no way I can just sit around nicely. If my men bleed, then I will too. Honestly, I feel overjoyed when I see my subordinates developed. In my opinion, one indicator of a leader’s success is how developed his subordinates are.

To be a successful leader, are there any special requirements?

I think there are two terms: being positive and progressive. In facing my subordinates and clients, I always try to have positive thinking. Why do we put burden in our mind? I strongly believe that good people will do business with good people too. Meanwhile, the progression must also be grown. When getting a chance to lead, the spirit to do the best must be maintained.

Did you dream to be a leader?

Not really. I used to be an outrageously naughty and mischievous child. Hahaha… The mischievousness still exists until now; those in Plan B team often get my pranks. Since I am the boss, nobody seems to dare to be upset or cranky. Hehe… I can not say whether I once aspired to be a leader or not. But surely, I am very grateful to have this opportunity.

What do you like the most from Plan B team?

In this team, we are close and get along well with each other, they are also responsible. These people work hard, play hard, and are responsible. What makes me touched is when there are piles of work; I sometimes even have to persuade them to go home. I do not have the heart to see them working overtime continuously, because they certainly have a life outside the office.

Until now, who do you consider to be the most influential figure?

Many say that I am so lucky right now because of my devotion to my parents. What I have today is because of their blessings. Besides that, my wife and my children also play really big roles. They are awesome friends for me.

Having been involved in the creative world for a long time, are there any special tricks to be creative?

Basically, everything must be done by heart and by passion. If it is done by heart and by passion, creative ideas will emerge. Besides that, begin with simple things. Sometimes we think too much, too complicated, but we end up doing nothing. So I really appreciate the power of the unknown. Because usually the amateurs, who do not understand the theory and perform just for love and fun, have thoughts that are not limited by useless labyrinths so that the results they produce are remarkable.

Do you have a big dream for Fortune?

My big dream is the people sitting on the Fortune executives are those aged 30 years. Because the industry is in fact belong to the thirties, and younger people are usually more daring and having crazier ideas!