Underlying the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) mission of promoting management excellence for nation building is its core value of leadership, which states, “The organization will show the way and always strive to pursue high and bigger goals for ourselves and the country.” For this article, I have chosen to write about examples of leadership and management philosophies that I have observed in my professional life as a leader in both private and nonprofit organizations.
‘Know yourself; be true to yourself’
In today’s complex society, effective leadership requires more than mastery of skills and strategies. Importantly, a leader in any organization where he or she belongs must be true to oneself. Quoting Bill George, a Harvard professor and former Medtronic CEO, “Before you can become an authentic leader, you have to know who you are. That’s your true north: your most deeply held beliefs, your values, the principles you lead by and what inspires you.”
This philosophy speaks of resounding self-awareness and truthfulness. To lead people into becoming who they want to be, as well as lead your company to what it should become, the key is to know yourself first: envision it yourself and actualize this vision with authenticity, and all else shall follow. Warren Buffett summarized his belief in authentic leadership as “the willingness to confess mistakes and invite others to do the same.”
‘Tone at the top’
“Tone at the top” is a phrase that originated in auditing, where it is used to refer to the commitment of management and the board of directors of a company to uphold honest and ethical business practices, rather than merely paying “lip service.” When applied more broadly to leadership and management, it sets forth the cultural environment, values of any organization and establishes what those at the top of the organization should exemplify.
This was the thought that came to mind when I was listening to the message of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, during the Pinnacle Entrepreneurs Forum organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Women Entrepreneurs Network in Cambodia on Aug. 1. The prime minister delivered an inspiring and powerful message that sparked reflections and deep exploration of leadership principles. In his speech, he recognized Cambodian women leaders of different generations and their invaluable efforts in shaping society as well as the economy of their country. More importantly, he spoke of his vision of a Cambodia where “every woman is valued, respected and empowered to reach her full potential,” clearly articulating and setting the “tone at the top” of his government policies in support of gender equality and women empowerment. This tone set by the leader should trickle down into middle management and eventually, to the bottom of the government bureaucracy of the country.
‘Walk the talk/walk the walk’
There is a saying that, “A true leader doesn’t just talk the talk—they walk the talk.” Leading by example is highly important because if a leader fails to do so, it will not set a good precedent for the entire team. For instance, it is one thing for a leader to abruptly speak about honesty, integrity and accountability, but it is another thing to embody these values daily.
“Walking the talk” also means the leader must be willing to “get his or her hands dirty or their feet wet,” admit mistakes and be responsible for the outcomes, whether positive or negative. Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, is often cited as an exceptionally good example of a leader who walks his talk, as he is deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of his companies, literally walking the factory floor and meeting regularly with engineers and technicians to solve problems and push forward with innovative ideas.
On the other hand, an example of “walking the walk” is being knowledgeable of the products of your company, and keeping abreast with industry trends so that you can provide valuable insights and opinions to your team members, or being a team player by participating in difficult conversations to help your team understand what are expected from them to achieve results.
‘The last shall be first, the first last’
In our country, which is predominantly Christian, it is typical for Filipinos to adopt their religious beliefs in different aspects of their lives, including their career. We often hear this Biblical quote in Matthew 20:16: “The last shall be first, the first last.” Reflecting on this passage suggests that leaders prioritize serving the greater good, their organization and team first, before themselves, often referred to as “servant leadership.”
Leadership can be tricky as it involves power or authority and there may be a tendency to abuse power. However, servant leadership is like a paradox, as true leadership can only happen through service and only through an act of service can we exhibit true leadership.
There is no single leadership principle that one can prescribe and be applicable in various circumstances. Ultimately, it is about who you are, what kind of leader you want to be and what kind of leadership you want to practice. Choosing the philosophy that aligns with your personal values is recommended but crafting your own is also an option. INQ
The author is a member of the MAP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the president of Mageo Consulting Inc., which provides corporate finance advisory services. Feedback at map@map.org.ph and magg@mageo.net.