Leadership lessons worth learning
THE BEST way of finding yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”—Mahatma Gandhi
Fifteen years ago, Viventis ventured into the Philippines, navigating through rough seas of competition, high altitudes of business demands, and rocky roads to corporate governance. Then and now, Mahatma Gandhi’s inspirational wisdom I quote here remains a major guiding principle.
Because I always believed in the Filipino talent, and what each one can achieve through finding him/her the best fit to a meaningful career, I am humbled to claim our modest contribution to building a solid ground populated by at least 15,000 professionals who now dominate major industries and are corporate leaders within the circle of Forbes 500, multi-
national companies, and large Philippine conglomerates.
The journey was not easy, but well worth it. Looking back, I consider those 15 years my real education towards attaining a life-serving degree in management and leadership.
I share 15 of these major leadership lessons, as we celebrate 15 years of steering the course, the Viventis Search Asia way.
1. Teamwork is your top priority.
To most of us, it is called strategic leadership. A mission cannot be successfully executed unless the team is functioning as one. Strategic leadership is about energizing the team to understand and be responsive to client needs; to be creative in serving them, mindful of the limits of the firm’s professional capabilities and specific value proposition. It is certainly not about telling people what to do. If the firm has succeeded in attracting and developing the correct talent, then these employees will have the skills, judgment and values to innovate successfully.
2. Excel at ethics.
In the world of business, the ethical leader is sometimes a rarity, and truly esteemed. The leader holds the highest position to influence people’s values, uppermost of which are the values of integrity, professional conduct, courage and compassion. These are personal values that define the character of every leader who sets the best example.
3. Stay calm.
This is the daily function of a CEO, but it is rarely passed down to employ- ees. Navigating through critical times speaks of a leader’s internal strength. Managing crises at all levels of the operation is set by the clarity of rules and roles, and the decisiveness to address the issues with the proper command responsibility. The buck stops with you.
4. Hard times help you adapt quickly.
Young executives who go through hard times should learn to appreciate them, recognizing that those times will not only strengthen them, but truly train them to properly and successfully lead their own teams when battling the competition. Rebound quickly from hard times. There is high cost involved, but such is collateral damage. Life is a pendulum, as much as it is a cycle. You can never always remain at the bottom, nor at the top.
5. Adapt fast to change.
Survival is not about who’s the strongest or fastest, but who can best adapt to change.
The corporate world is a vast jungle, with the fierce lions, pythons, and gorillas ready to attack. Be smart like the chameleon. Chimps are almost like us. Dolphins get creative. Elephants exhibit self-awareness. Cephalopods have big brains. Crows get crafty. Squirrels can be deceptive. Man’s best friend—the dog—leads the pack.
6. Empower your people.
It starts from you and should impact down the hierarchy.
You want strong, productive, happy and committed employees? Allow them to take ownership and commitment for decisions to add value to their individual sense of worth.
Part of building an empowering environment is dependent on the leader’s ability to oversee daily tasks and major operations where his team members are able to become core contributors of their talent, creativity, competence, and sense of righteousness.
7. Set your vision and mission high.
Dream big and follow it through. Leaders and their team members share a common vision and mission that dually bring the weight of the future within their realizable reach, amidst major challenges and adversaries.
“The future is in our hands” is a simple lesson that is built by wisdom and experience over time.
The vision and mission should be built on strong personal and professional values that define the culture of the organization. Such is the measure of a high performance team.
8. Invest in good education.
Education’s not just good for children, it’s good for nations. Investing in education isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart economics.
Ivan Illich wrote the book “Deschooling society” with such a provocative premise.
He wrote: “Most learning is not the result of instruction. ... but of growth with elaborate planning and manipulation.” Good education is not from academic systems alone. Good education comes from a discerning acquisition of knowledge on values and the revolutionary insight of learning from the people. A good leader’s attributes therefore, are a composite of the characteristics of the people he works and lives with, fortified by the best versions of themselves.
9. Share with the community.
Build communities and commit to help for the long haul. It is not charity; rather, it is appreciating your ability to uplift people’s lives with the expanse of your influence, and with the genuineness of your intention. We at Viventis embrace diversity, and everything we do reflects our inclusive attitude and way of doing work. We promote genuine Filipino art; are committed to sustainability; and contribute strongly to efforts in protecting the environment. Through nonprofit organizations we support, we champion education which should benefit the young and marginalized.
10. Embrace change.
It is the only thing normal. Change has become constant. Pivot otherwise perish. Execute with focus and be relentless. Changes—big and small—are healthy signs that progress and success are within our reach in the immediate horizon.
We don’t always get what we want. You might need to do a little digging before you find the nugget of gold or the silver lining.
As the saying goes, in order to find something, you must be open to the possibilities.
Therefore, never resist the unexpected change that life throws your way. Embrace this change and use it to re-create your life with purpose.
11. Walk the talk.
It may be a cliché for some, but it is an age-old truism. Lead by example. Anything you say or do, you must do so consistently. It proves your conviction. “Practice what you preach” is another way to say it, and becomes more real during battles in the boardroom or at elevator pitches.
The most junior of your staff and the lowest in the rank makes the most critical judgement when leaders digress from this idiom.
However, they become the staunch champions for their leaders who demonstrate this attribute even in the most trying times.
12. Remain humble.
Even at the height of your success. You’ll never know when adversity strikes.
In a society where fortune favors the strong, modesty is often seen as a weakness.
Climbing to the top of a corporate ladder is our modern version of “survival of the fittest”—and for that reason, meekness is often under-appreciated.
But as it turns out, the secret to success and fulfillment may very well lie in the ability to express humility.
Confucius defined it best: “The solid foundation of all virtues is humility.”
13. Celebrate success.
It is inspiring and energizes. Share the material benefits of success with your employees and communities where your business operates. It brings good karma.
Thank profusely; it goes well with genuine celebration. And it leaves a happy note in your heart, and yes, it opens more doors to successful partnerships. Because success is contagious!
14. Ambush the competition.
Disrupt! Without leadership or good communication, the enemy is forced into disarray and can be picked apart.
This military mindset gives a good lesson for all leaders and their organizations.
The life-span of a business start-up is short. As the Roman poet Horace wrote, Carpe diem! Seize the day! Set aside differences, fears, worries, and set your sights on the top prize.
This is keeping true your vision and mission to be at the highest of your potential.
15. Innovate till it hurts.
We’ve heard this repeatedly in and out of work: No pain, no gain.
Today, pain—at least the concept of customer pain—is much on the minds of executives and channel owners around the world. And it should be.
But pain has rewards: Customer loyalty, brand leadership, corporate supremacy.
Finding and eliminating customer pain is a business imperative. Invest in new tools, process, business models.
The road to the top is tough but well worth taking.