Santander Brasil

Carlos Margadona is an experienced IT Engineering Manager specializing in digital payments at Santander Brasil. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Carlos has demonstrated a profound expertise in delivering technology-driven solutions across investment, insurance, loan, pension, and digital payment services. His approach is centered around placing the customer at the forefront of technology development and advocating for data-driven decision-making over intuition. Known for his dedication and passion, Carlos excels in building and leading highperformance, high-tech teams.

Through this article, Carlos emphasizes the critical importance of knowledge sharing within IT and broader professional environments.

Yes, you read it right! Be careful with Superheroes and also with villains!

I love to use this metaphor to refer to IT Professionals who don´t delegate tasks and who like to gatekeep knowledge.

I have had a lot of experience with this kind of professional during my career. However, this behavior can be detrimental to the professional, to the department, to management and the company.

"Knowledge is like money: to be of value it must circulate, and in circulating it can increase in quantity and, hopefully, in value." – Louis L’Amour

It´s impressive when I look back and think about all the people that I helped by sharing my experiences and knowledge. As I´m an ambassador for this cause, I always have conversations with my colleagues to encourage them to share their milestones, concerns and opinions.

​You will be a better person and leader when you help other people evolve and achieve their professional milestones. The feeling we get when a fellow professional receives a promotion or even meets an important project deadline is priceless 

Being a knowledge hoarder will not save your job or make you better than anyone, remember that! The company will continue to deliver projects and products without you...me...anyone. The thought that you are irreplaceable is wrong. The genius Steve Jobs passed away 13 years ago and Apple continues to be one of the largest companies in the world.

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” - Steve Jobs

Please, don't get me wrong, talent is a gift, and it will always have vital importance for a company. But try to remember that sharing talent can help professionals grow, evolve and achieve milestonesthat they may not have thought to be possible before. This is awesome! Think about that!

You will be a better person and leader when you help other people evolve and achieve their professional milestones. The feeling we get when a fellow professional receives a promotion or even meets an important project deadline is priceless. Absolutely gratifying!

As a Manager, I think I have to monitor the sharing of information and knowledge. It is really bad for any team if a knowledge hoarder leaves the company with critical information. Alternatively, we can mitigate stressful situations and avoid delays if we foster a culture of sharing. We also need a safe workplace where people feel comfortable to share opinions and raise ideas.

My tip to any leader is to make an effort to create a collaborative environment by promoting knowledge-sharing practices. It´s a win-win for you, your team members and the company.

Advantages of Cultivating a Collaborative Environment:

•Improved employee retention

•Boosted productivity

•Enhanced sense of empowerment

•Strengthened trust within the team Recommendations for Building a Sharing Culture

Recommendations for Building a Sharing Culture

•Hold regular team meetings and cross-functional discussions with leadership

•Organise mentoring sessions to encourage knowledge exchange

•Leverage the corporate social network for sharing updates and insights

•Encourage team members to submit articles for publication

•Conduct workshops and webinars to promote continuous learning.

Remember, your goal is to be a hero for your team, not just for yourself!