Exclusive Insights from Fernando Jesús Santiago Ollero, President of the General Council of Administrative Managers of Spain: Exploring Transformational Leadership and Emotional Resilience in Competitive Business Environments

Fernando, it's a great pleasure for us to welcome you today. Your exceptional career in management and legal consulting reflects not only a deep professional knowledge but also an unwavering commitment to the values that define modern leadership. As president of the General Council of Administrative Managers, of the Official College of Administrative Managers of Madrid, or as patron of the ONCE Foundation and the Diversión Solidaria Foundation, among others, you are a role model for many and a catalyst for positive change in the sector. Throughout our conversation, we hope to explore your inspiring and innovative career, touching on both professional and personal growth. Your vision and experiences are invaluable to today's leaders, and we are excited to discuss your leadership philosophies that have shaped your career. Let's inspire each other and expand our understanding of what is possible.

1. Fernando, your extensive experience in management and legal advisory roles has uniquely positioned you in rapidly evolving sectors. What are the main factors that have influenced your approach to leadership, and how do you seek to support your personal growth in relation to these changes?

I began my career as a lawyer 35 years ago. I quickly realized that I had to follow in my father’s footsteps, who was an Administrative Manager and passionate about the profession. However, I can assure you that inheriting my father's "legacy" was not the reason I chose to work as a Manager. If I wanted to provide my clients with my experience and knowledge, I had to go beyond purely legal matters.

The business world has evolved at a dizzying pace over the years; adapting was not an option but rather an obligation for all those who wish to add value to our clients and society. Our profession began to question its identity during those years, and I understood that I had to be part of defining what we wanted to be as Administrative Managers in the future.

If you want to change something, you must take responsibility to achieve that change; you must push and contribute along the way to make it happen. I took up the banner of change, and I have continued to do so to this day.

2. In your experience managing diverse teams, you have faced several challenges in harmonizing personal values with organizational goals. How do you achieve this balance, and what importance do you attribute to holistic growth and emotional intelligence for leaders in the context of ALMA ELITE services?

The pandemic taught many of us the necessity of always working with a strategy and taking care of the resources available to us. A few months ago, I presented my book "Yo también sufrí la Covid 19" (I Also Suffered from Covid-19), where I wanted to share how I managed both the pre-pandemic period, the pandemic itself, and the post-pandemic phase. There are at least two key elements, in my view.

The first is the need to always set a strategy. You must establish your objectives and the path you believe should be followed to achieve them. We, as Administrative Managers, set a strategy and follow it rigorously. I believe we have emerged stronger from this process.

The second element involves understanding the team around you. You must know them from the perspective of their technical abilities, their capabilities as managers, and their individual personalities. The pandemic was not experienced the same by everyone. Each person faced it differently, with varying degrees of fear, caution, or boldness... every individual has their own personality. It was crucial to respect everyone’s approach to the pandemic, striving to bring out the best in each of them to successfully execute the strategy.

We have lost some individuals along the way—those who couldn’t or wouldn’t follow the path we had set. The rest of us, those who persevered until the end, continue to work to position our profession where it deserves to be.

Even before the pandemic began, when we anticipated the issues it would bring, we established a Crisis Cabinet, in constant communication and with complete transparency, which allowed us to make the most appropriate decisions at each moment. Today, most of those who formed that Cabinet continue to collaborate. I am fortunate to lead them as we work to grow the profession and assist our clients.

You ask me how much importance I give to holistic growth and emotional intelligence; I can sum it up as follows: when you are part of the project, you motivate yourself to help it grow.

3. What were the pivotal moments in your career that led you to face significant obstacles that made you rethink your strategy for innovation and sustainability? How do you believe coaching could help leaders overcome similar challenges?

When I took my first position in the Official College of Administrative Managers of Madrid in 2010, I realized that for the profession to grow, it had to be based on four fundamental pillars: training, ethics, technology, and communication. I have worked extensively over the years to ensure that access to the profession is a barrier to entry that guarantees highly trained professionals. Through continuous training, we ensure that professionals are up to date, given that our profession is based on regulations that change frequently. With enabling training, we ensure that the platforms we provide our clients will be well utilized by Administrative Managers.

I am quite stringent regarding ethical standards. This doesn’t mean that any complaint from a client automatically incurs a penalty for the Manager. What I do ensure is that we analyze complaints and penalize dishonest behaviors. This is another aspect that distinguishes our profession from others.

The commitment to technology has also been a key component of my strategy. If we wanted to be effective, if we aimed to be leaders, if we wanted to differentiate ourselves from others, we had to work on platforms that made processes more accessible for our members as well as for clients.

Finally, but equally important, we had to communicate effectively, both internally and externally. Our relationships with institutions would put us on the map, as it has done, bringing us closer to administrations and enabling us to give back to society part of what it provides us. Today, our barometer is a reference in the business world and offers essential information for decision-making.

Coaching can be a valuable resource for improving your understanding of your capabilities, enhancing your interpersonal skills, and strengthening your ability to make strategic decisions in complex contexts.
It can be a great "travel companion" for assuming responsibilities.

4. As a leader in a competitive, high-pressure environment, how do you maintain emotional resilience? Can you describe a specific situation and how neuroscience-based coaching methodologies could strengthen leaders' capacity to handle stress and make effective decisions?

In our profession, changes come slowly. It can sometimes take years before you see the light at the end of the tunnel. We work with administrations where the interlocutors may change every four years. When a matter is nearly finalized, elections occur, and all the interlocutors change.

The new arrivals might want to start from scratch, disagree with the previous administration's views, or simply distrust what the others did, including your position. You have to start over. Maintaining composure can be complicated at times, but it’s necessary. You must know how to begin anew if needed.

This happened, for example, in a project we were undertaking in Cuba with the Spanish Consulate in Havana. We aimed to facilitate procedures for Spanish citizens in Cuba, and we had everything prepared to finalize the agreement with both the Cuban and Spanish authorities. Two circumstances caused that agreement to collapse: the Consul was changed, and the pandemic arrived, leading us to halt everything.

Ultimately, after a couple of years on hold, we decided to restart the project, and since the individuals involved no longer viewed things the same way, we had to reorient the process. We are still working on that, taking smaller steps but with visible results, hoping to achieve the same outcome, albeit through a different path.

Had we utilized neuroscience-based coaching methodologies during this process, they would have helped us better manage the uncertainty and frustration caused by the changes in interlocutors and external interruptions such as the pandemic.
These tools would have allowed us to regulate our emotions, maintain a clear focus on long-term objectives, and develop greater adaptability to unforeseen challenges. Furthermore, we could have approached the situation with a more strategic mindset, viewing obstacles as opportunities to innovate and build stronger relationships with new stakeholders. This would have facilitated maintaining the project’s momentum and finding alternative pathways more agilely and effectively.

5. ALMA ELITE focuses on integrating personal well-being with professional success. How important do you consider this synergy for leaders' effectiveness, and how would you recommend leaders implement this vision in their daily lives?

Integrating personal well-being with professional success is essential for leaders' effectiveness, as a balanced leader has a greater capacity to make clear decisions, manage stress, and foster a positive environment within their team. The synergy between both aspects enhances individual performance and inspires others to seek similar balance, positively impacting organizational culture.

To implement this vision, leaders can adopt simple yet effective habits, such as setting clear boundaries between work and personal life or fostering an environment where team members also value and prioritize their well-being.
Furthermore, reserving time for continuous learning and personal reflection can enhance their development at both professional and human levels, ensuring sustainable harmony in their daily lives.

6. In your work on optimizing ESG, you have gained valuable insights into the role of emotional and social factors in achieving sustainable changes. How do you think ALMA ELITE methodologies could assist a leader in expanding this knowledge within their team?

ALMA ELITE methodologies could help a leader expand this knowledge within their team by fostering a better understanding and application of emotional and social factors in the context of sustainability.

These methodologies enable leaders to identify and develop key skills such as empathy, effective communication, and emotional management, creating an environment where human connections drive sustainable changes.
Through practical tools and reflective exercises, leaders can learn to model behaviors that integrate the values of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) into the team’s daily dynamics. This not only strengthens cohesion and commitment but also empowers team members to take an active role in promoting sustainable practices, achieving a deeper and more lasting impact on both the organization and society.

7. Your international collaboration suggests a profound understanding of intercultural dynamics. How important is it for you to share your personal stories and challenges in the context of coaching, and how could this contribute to an open dialogue?

As I mentioned earlier, I wrote the book "Yo también sufrí la Covid 19" (I Also Suffered from Covid-19) with the aim of allowing us to learn from what happened, to draw conclusions, and to ensure we are not caught off guard by any disaster again. We must be prepared for what lies ahead. Sharing stories and understanding how we have acted helps everyone learn and improve in future situations. It is essential to be open to constructive criticism. An open dialogue allows for better learnings for everyone.

8. What specific outcomes do you expect from your experiences with coaching at ALMA ELITE, particularly in terms of personal transformation and professional influence? How do you define success on this journey?

From the experiences with coaching at ALMA ELITE, one could expect specific outcomes such as greater self-knowledge, significant improvement in emotional management, and increased capacity to lead with empathy and clarity.

In terms of personal transformation, coaching can provide tools for identifying and overcoming blockages, aligning personal objectives with professional goals, and developing a mindset of continuous growth. Regarding professional influence, coaching helps strengthen communication skills, foster stronger relationships with the team, and make strategic decisions that reflect both personal values and organizational goals.

Success along this path is defined not only by tangible outcomes, such as organizational impact, but also by the personal growth that allows the leader to act authentically, resiliently, and in alignment with their principles.
It is a continuous process that balances goal achievement with developing a broader and more sustainable vision of leadership.

9. What lessons have you learned throughout your career about the importance of self-awareness in leadership? How could the coaching environment contribute to enhancing this self-awareness for leaders?

Throughout my career, I have learned that self-awareness is the foundation of authentic and effective leadership. Understanding our strengths, areas for improvement, values, and emotions enables more aligned decision-making with our principles and goals while fostering trust among those around us. Furthermore, self-awareness aids in better management of stress and interpersonal relationships, promoting a more collaborative work environment.

The coaching environment can be pivotal in deepening this self-awareness, as it provides a safe space for reflection and personal analysis. Tools such as personality assessments, structured feedback, and introspective exercises help leaders identify behavioral patterns, limiting beliefs, and development opportunities, strengthening their capacity to lead with purpose and clarity. This not only benefits the leader but also their team and organization, fostering a work dynamic that is more balanced and oriented toward sustainable success.

10. As someone who values collaboration and strategic partnerships, what attributes do you consider essential in the relationship with coaching? How might these attributes influence the transformative experience of leaders?

In the coaching relationship, I consider attributes such as trust, openness, empathy, and clarity to be essential. Trust is foundational for creating a secure space where the leader can explore challenges and opportunities without fear of judgment. Openness enables the leader to be receptive to honest feedback and to consider new perspectives that challenge their usual way of thinking. The coach’s empathy fosters a genuine connection that facilitates mutual understanding, while clarity regarding objectives ensures that the coaching process aligns with the leader’s personal and professional goals.

These attributes profoundly influence the transformative experience, as they enhance self-awareness, promote learning, and encourage sustainable change. A coaching relationship built on these principles not only inspires the leader to overcome obstacles but also strengthens their capacity to lead with authenticity, leading to a positive impact on both their organization and the larger community.


Fernando, thank you for taking the time to converse with us today. Your experiences and perspectives have opened new horizons in the realms of innovation and leadership, which will be a great inspiration for other leaders. I believe that your story and your approach to leadership will motivate many towards positive change and personal growth.

I sincerely appreciate your time and wisdom once more. I am excited about how your ideas will influence our community and provide valuable insights for the future. Your view of leadership as an opportunity for transformation inspires all those seeking to effect positive change in their fields. Your vision of the future, based on the connection between ethics and excellence, lays the groundwork for the sustainable and lasting development of society. Thank you once again for your time and the valuable reflections you shared with us.


Fernando Jesús Santiago Ollero
President of the General Council of Administrative Managers of Spain

Since 2010, he has served as President of the Official College of Administrative Managers of Madrid and, since February 2015, as President of the General Council of Administrative Managers of Spain. He has led the implementation of the OEGAM platform, which manages 98% of vehicle registrations in the Community of Madrid.

He holds a law degree from San Pablo-CEU University and has multiple postgraduate qualifications. He has presided over Sarot Target Group since 2014 and was President of Grupo GOSAN for 23 years. He participates in various organizations, such as CEIM and CEOE, and is a trustee of the Foundation for Solidarity Fun. In the technology sector, he serves as a board member of Firmaprofesional and biid. During his presidency, he has achieved certifications such as CMMI Level 3 and has received several awards, including the Honorary Gown of the Bar Association and the Self-Employed of the Year Award. He has extensive experience as a speaker and author in the industry.

ALMA ELITE

ALMA ELITE represents an exclusive program that innovatively integrates advanced insights from neuroscience with highly personalized strategies designed for high-net-worth individuals. Our mission is to foster transformative growth and resilience, enabling our elite clients to achieve perfect harmony and balance across various aspects of their personal and professional lives.

By employing an approach that transcends traditional coaching boundaries, ALMA ELITE effectively combines the principles of executive coaching, life coaching, and fitness coaching. We offer bespoke coaching focused on holistic development, emphasizing the interplay of leadership skills, emotional well-being, and physical vitality. With our commitment to building resilience and excellence, ALMA ELITE becomes a trusted partner on the journey toward sustainable success and personal evolution.

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