Silvia Siling is a Senior Expert at the Harvesting Business Unit, PT Arara Abadi. Currently, she leads the System Improvement Project for the entire Forestry region. Her daily work involves developing system integration related to mobile application technology and other systems to create synergy in meeting the Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements in the forestry industry.
Throughout her 27 years of dedication in the Harvesting department at APP Forestry, Silvia has shown remarkable commitment. Harvesting is a complex field, involving the management of various aspects such as people, equipment, and external factors, including weather. Although often considered a "man's world," Silvia has broken this stereotype with her strong leadership abilities.
Silvia acknowledges that becoming a leader in a male-dominated world requires a long process and hard struggle. She has faced numerous challenges to prove herself, and she is now respected as an equal colleague by everyone. Silvia is able to embrace and guide her entire staff, offering different experiences and working methods from a woman's perspective.
Applying the Values of "Ingarso Sung Tuladha," "Ing Madya Mangun Karso," and "Tut Wuri Handayani" in Leadership
At APP Group, one of the values upheld by all employees is "Taking the Lead" or having the courage to take on a leadership role. Silvia also adopts "Taking the Lead" as her guideline. For Silvia, "Taking the Lead" is similar to the principles introduced by Ki Hajar Dewantara: "Ingarso Sung Tuladha," "Ing Madya Mangun Karso," and "Tut Wuri Handayani." A leader must be able to position themselves according to the needs of their staff: when to be "in front" to set the right example and role model, when to be "in the middle" to provide inspiration and motivation, and when to be "at the back" to give support and pay attention to the potential of each staff member.
The "Iron Hand" and "Mother's Hand" Approaches
According to Silvia, a "Leader" is not a "Boss." A leader must be able to embrace every staff member. As a female leader, Silvia knows when to use an "iron hand" or a "mother's hand."
The "iron hand" refers to a leadership style that is firm, disciplined, and possibly somewhat strict. A leader with an "iron hand" often enforces rules strictly, has high standards, and is not afraid to take decisive action when necessary. However, there are times when a leader must use the "mother's hand," which refers to a leadership style that is gentler, more caring, and empathetic. This reflects a more flexible and intuitive approach to addressing problems and motivating employees. Both approaches are equally needed, and it is a woman's advantage to possess the "mother's hand." By combining these two approaches, Silvia believes she can provide the best for the well-being and progress of the team.
Opportunities for Women to Become Leaders at APP
Everyone has the same opportunity to become a leader at APP Group—regardless of gender. Currently, APP Group management is continuously working to balance the number of male and female employees in the Company, including at the managerial level and above.
APP Group also provides various facilities, including training for female employees to enhance their skills, as well as mentoring and career support. APP Group believes that female employees are a very valuable asset to the company, as they bring diverse and innovative perspectives that can enrich the work culture and drive the Company's growth.
