To thine own self be true

Be true to yourself and to others.”

This was the first piece of advice Ayala Corp. chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala gave the 76 youth delegates who were chosen after a rigorous selection process to take part in this year’s edition of the annual Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC).

“Be authentic,” Zobel de Ayala told the potential future leaders, “You all are still very young and have several more experiences to encounter, which will certainly push you to really reflect on your own values and principles.”

Zobel de Ayala, however, acknowledged that being honest and authentic has become more difficult with the advent of social media that has put pressure on Filipinos—especially the youth—to put up a front online, and grapple with the deliberate spread of misinformation and disinformation.

But fortunately, it can be overcome through grit and perseverance.

“Today, amid social media and alternative facts, being authentic is becoming tougher and tougher, but certainly not impossible,” Zobel de Ayala said, “People are drawn to those who are honest and true. I hope that you all will embrace this value and use your influence as leaders wisely in the future.”

Next, Zobel de Ayala encouraged the future leaders to “always keep a curious mind, a listening ear, and a kind heart.”

“In being authentic, you will encounter people who hold a different set of values and beliefs, and who will challenge your resolve. I hope that in such situations, you would engage in meaningful, honest, respectful and constructive dialogue,” he said.

“You will be amazed at how much common ground can be found between people who at first appear to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. It’s astounding how much can be achieved through a calm conversation between friends. I hope that you would all carry this thinking moving forward,” he added.

Lastly, Zobel de Ayala challenged the delegates to follow through on their commitments, whether to themselves, family and friends and, most especially, the Philippines, which needs all the help it can get amid ri­sing inequality and stubborn poverty that has about a fifth of the Filipino population in its grip.

“I hope that you will remain gritty and continue to be dedicated to your commitments, especially during today’s unpredictable times,” Zobel de Ayala stressed.

Zobel de Ayala’s advice ties in well with the Ayala Young Leaders Congress’ theme this year of “Seeing Potential in Challenges.”

According to Ayala managing director John Philip S. Orbeta, the theme was chosen to “put a greater focus not just on the intellectual appreciation of leadership, but on understan­ding the responsibility that goes with it.”

“We believe that great leadership has to be rooted on service and the common good. Unfortunately, recent global and national events have seen a resurgence in populism and a clamor for change due to the perceived failure of leadership to empathize, engage and empower the majority of a country’s citizenry. This is a backlash against the establishment that needs to be addressed. This is the very reason why the AYLC has rooted its leadership framework on servant leadership,” Orbeta said.

The AYLC was launched in 1998 by the Ayala group as its youth leadership development program called “Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders.” This annual summit, now on its 22th year, aims to form values-based and principled leaders committed to nation-building and uplif­ting the lives of Filipinos. The dream, over the long term, is to build a corps and network of change-agents and servant-leaders with the commitment and passion to contribute to national development.