Execs draw life lessons from their fathers

Fathers know best, too.

Thus to mark Father’s Day, Sunday Biz asked some executives and entrepreneurs to share the biggest life lessons they learned from their fathers that made a profound impact on their personal as well as professional lives.

My father taught me and my siblings to clean our own bathroom when we were teenagers. We went up in arms when he mandated that new “rule”… we thought: Why?

Later, I realized this simple chore helped me to appreciate the humility of good house management, what others do for us to make our life more orderly. It also taught my sisters and I how to get along with each other better, so through ups and downs, we’ve become besties!

Funny how a simple chore has taught some honest-to-goodness life skills.—Maricelle Siytangco Narciso, GM PepsiCo Philippines

The biggest life lesson I learned from my dad is to be a role model to my kids. What I say is not as important as what I do in terms of them seeing me as a basis for dealing with relationships, their work ethic and how to help those in need. I want my daughter to be with a man who has the same value system. I want my boys to have the same values as I do.—Francisco Magsaysay, Owner Carmen’s Best Ice Cream

Live simply, and just be plain good to everyone.— Mike C. Enriquez, President RGMA Network, Consultant GMA Network Inc.

I learned many valuable lessons from my dad. A couple stick out. One was his passion for excellence. He taught us, both by word and deed, to do our best in whatever we did. For him, ‘good enough’ wasn’t good enough. That’s something I’ve imbibed so that sometimes people tease me about being ‘OC.’

He also taught us to treat others well by the way he lived. I never heard him speak ill of others, and no matter your station in life, he treated you the same way. Even as a top executive, you would just as easily find him sitting down to lunch with the factory workers and security guards as with other executives. He counseled them when they came to him for help and he was a natural teacher.

When he passed away, so many people came to pay their respects and told us how he had touched their lives. It made me so proud to be his child. But at the same time, it was a reminder to carry that legacy forward, and it is one I have tried to live by.—Riza Mantaring, CEO Sun Life Philippines

When I was so much younger, my dad gave me one piece of advice that I have never forgotten, “Never depend on anyone but yourself.” Before that point, I really thought things would come my way easily, and on a silver platter. That piece of advice challenged me, and made me realize that I wanted to make something out of myself, not minding the obstacles and hardships that came my way. Looking back, it wasn’t independence that I fought hard for, it was the opportunity to be proud of myself, and for my family to be proud of my accomplishments without losing sight of my primary role—to be a supportive wife and loving mother to my children. Happy Father’s day to the two most important people in my life—my father, Dr. James G. Dy and my husband, George L. Go.—Kathleen Dy-Go, Managing Director Universal Records, Philippines

PACO Magsaysay (left) with his father, Sen. Jun Magsaysay, and sons

My dad was a mechanic and he taught me how to be one by making me apprentice for him when I was young. I am blessed that I am equipped with my Dad’s skill and this helped build my self-esteem and confidence. I treasure his memory.—Jose Magsaysay, CEO Potato Corner

Have a good education, always work hard and stay humble.—Jose E.B. Antonio, CEO Century Properties Group Inc.

The greatest lesson my father taught me is to always have integrity. As we were growing up, he taught us that our personal reputation defines us and that we need to take care not to tarnish our name no matter what the challenge.

Today, as CEO of a multi-business creative agency, I lead with my moral compass intact, and this makes me unshakeable. What my father taught me early in life allows me to see the way forward more clearly and lead in a way that’s nurturing and exacting.—Elly Puyat, CEO Ogilvy & Mather Philippines

My father was a judge and he was a lawyer of the old school. One of the most important things he told me was that more than taking care of your money, you should take care of your integrity. The latter is priceless.

He told me that integrity is the most important thing because people will remember you not because you died rich, but because you lived a life of honesty, truthfulness and compassion.

He even said that integrity means believing in and talking only of the facts that you know firsthand. Don’t believe those told by other people. They are all hearsay.—JJ Atencio, CEO 8990 Holdings Inc.

RICARDO Manuel Sarmiento

My father has always been a source of inspiration for me. I’ve learned so many things from him. I particularly remember him telling me, when I was still a young kid, that I should always pursue excellence in everything I do and be a catalyst for innovation and change. I have kept this bit of learning with me my whole life.

Since I became the COO of Vitarich Corporation, I’ve made sure that we apply this principle of excellence and innovation wherever and whenever we can. I would like to believe that the principles I learned from my father were instrumental in Vitarich’s recent financial and operational turnaround.—Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento, COO Vitarich Corp.

SOLOMON Bekele

The most important lesson I learned from my Dad would be integrity and hard work. I associate my dad with these two core values and now consider them as my basic life philosophies.

He taught me that while hard work is important to reach your life goals, developing integrity in you ensures that you get to the right path, the path of happiness, fulfillment, and success. My dad showed me that any endeavor, any feat or triumph is within reach the moment you put in your hard work into it.

Aviation is a very exciting industry but it comes with a lot of challenges. You have to work under different time zones, and solve issues that, at times, seem impossible to address. It is a very demanding life. Even more so when you work at a company like Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, where safety and reliability is a main priority.

As a country manager in the Philippines, my job requires me to lead and attend to a lot of business and operational issues. Working with different stakeholders and under very tight timelines also requires a very good culture of hard work. Certainly the hard work my dad instilled in me helped me to stand up to the challenges.—Solomon Bekele, Country Manager Ethiopian Airlines

ARCHIE Rodriguez

My father, Jack, used to make us exercise at a young age. He was a big advocate of keeping healthy and playing sports. I owe my active lifestyle and perhaps even my health to his molding this habit in me early on.

He is the most determined and relentless person I know … the epitome of a resolute man. Through his advice and experience, I have learned that you can achieve anything you remain committed to. And, that no matter how difficult a situation or challenge is, you must keep working until you arrive at the best solution.

Dad challenged us to try new things and not to be afraid of failure. “It is the best way for you to learn,” he said. I attribute my fearless approach to living life to this lesson. I feel blessed to have learned so much from both my parents and hope to share the same with my children.—Archie Rodriguez, CEO Global Restaurant Concepts Inc.