Tessie Sy-Coson: the yin and the yang

SM Group’s Teresita “Tessie” Sy-Coson was recently honored as the “Management Man of the Year” by the Management Association of the Philippines. This is a rare feat, considering it is conferred only on the crème de la crème in Philippine business.  She is the first woman in the private sector that was given this prestigious award in its 50-year history.

Tessie is publicly known as a hardworking, disciplined and hard-nosed businessman. The success of the SM Group is proof beyond reasonable doubt. It has metamorphosed from a small store in Carriedo Street in Quiapo to one of the most successful conglomerates in Asia today.

On a more personal note, Tessie has always been known for her simplicity. She shuns fame. She rarely accepts speaking engagements, but when she does, the venue is jam-packed. She has her eyes firmly cast on the future but never forgetful of her roots and family’s beginnings.

I’m humbled that she periodically reminds me that we are related—that we come from the same Chinese ancestry. She got me one time when she rattled off the names of my late uncles and aunts whom she knew from her childhood days.

Tessie remains humble amid the accolades and vast attention given to her.  You see her attending parties of the average Joe and Jane just as you see her in parties of the big bosses in the big city.  She remains grounded, which is the hallmark of the Sy family.

Above all, Tessie remains very dedicated to her family. She views much of what she does as a sense of duty to them. In the words of her brother Hans, Tessie remains kindhearted and caring towards her parents, siblings and children despite her strong and powerful personality in business.

For Banco De Oro president Nestor Tan, Tessie’s brand of leadership is both strategic and caring. Nestor adds that although Tessie is often seen as a frugal manager owing to her

retail business roots, she is  quite the opposite when the situation calls for it. The family’s strategic investments that involve billions of pesos speak for itself, or res ipsa loquitur as we say in law.

Nestor echoes Hans when he states that despite her stellar success in business, Tessie is a very caring boss. It is not uncommon for her to go out of her way to get medicine or refer a doctor if she comes across a sick employee, he says.

BDO Capital president Ed Francisco also says Tessie is tough, but kind. She is very open to new ideas, he says. She supports them even if they involve risks for as long as they are well thought out, he adds.

SM Prime Holdings president Jeffrey Lim characterizes Tessie as a passionate boss who is not satisfied with the status quo. He says she always challenges everyone to get things done for the better—a trait she definitely inherited from  the family’s patriarch, Henry Sr.

Jeff adds that Tessie is highly collaborative, a master multitasker, and very meticulous in knowing the facts and figures before deciding on important matters.

SM Investment Corporation chief financial officer Jose Sio sums it all up. He says Tessie has the loving heart of a mother and the toughness and wit of a businesswoman.

Joe adds that Tessie is the coach of the Sy basketball team, with her five siblings as players. He aptly describes Tessie as the Henry Sy of business and the Washington Sycip of professionalism rolled into  one.

Undoubtedly, Tessie has been able to harmonize the qualities of a tough person with a business acumen as well as a loving heart for people.  It is a brand of leadership that is truly hers.

While business acumen and tough personality are essential to navigating the vast challenges in business, a loving heart is necessary to add a truly personal and meaningful touch to run it. After all, this is the yin and yang of leadership in life. Tessie has mastered and successfully applied it in business.

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