In the ever-evolving landscape of the business world, the concept of leadership has undergone a profound transformation. Gone are the days when a leader's role was merely to manage and maintain the status quo. Today, businesses thrive in an environment characterized by constant change, disruptive technologies, and shifting paradigms. In this dynamic realm, the ideal leader is not just a manager; they are a visionary, a trailblazer, and a catalyst for transformation. They are what we can aptly describe as a "revolutionary leader."
So, what is the ideal leader in this brave new world of business? The answer to this question is multifaceted, as the landscape of leadership itself has evolved. Beyond the traditional skills of managing resources and optimizing processes, revolutionary leadership demands adaptability, innovation, and a deep understanding of human dynamics. These leaders are people-centric, with a profound appreciation for the individuals who make up their teams. They recognize that the heart of any organization lies in its people, and as such, they focus on nurturing, developing, and empowering their employees.
On October 18, 2023, in the exquisite Garden Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, the much-anticipated event, "Revolutionary Leadership: Charting the Course for a Bold Tomorrow," gathered an exceptional assembly of industry leaders from diverse sectors to delve into the profound realm of revolutionary leadership.
This significant gathering was made possible by the esteemed team at Viventis Search Asia, with their Talent Development experts taking the lead in hopes of achieving the following objectives:
- Igniting a Thoughtful Discourse on "Revolutionary Leadership": The central theme of the day revolved around the core principles of revolutionary leadership, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the self, nurturing people, and fostering growth within organizations.
- Introducing Viventis Talent Development as a Trusted Partner: Viventis Talent Development showcased itself as a dependable partner for those seeking impactful learning experiences in their journey towards revolutionary leadership.
- Engaging in Hands-On Learning: Participants were invited to immerse themselves in practical activities designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of the principles underpinning valuable employee learning interventions.
The event, masterfully hosted by Sunny Rae Fragante, Learning Programs Principal of the Viventis Talent Development team, commenced with attendees gathering over cups of coffee and delectable breakfast delights in the splendid ballroom. Sunny's expertise and enthusiasm in her role as the host set the perfect tone for the day's proceedings, ensuring everyone felt welcomed and prepared for the insightful discussions that were about to unfold.
Following this warm introduction, our very own Executive Director, Yu Ming Chin, took the stage, setting the tone for the enlightening discussions that would follow.
Shortly after, the keynote session took center stage, with Arnel Santos, President and CEO of JG Summit Olefins Corporation, and Harvey Ong, COO of Alfamart, guiding the audience through a thought-provoking exploration of what defines a revolutionary leader and why their presence is not just desirable but essential, both now and in the future. These two esteemed speakers painted a vivid picture of the transformative potential of revolutionary leadership, setting the tone for an event brimming with valuable insights and inspiration.
Key Highlights from Arnel Santos and Harvey Ong's Keynote Session:
- Education is an equalizer, and leaders should continually seek knowledge.
- Revolutionary leadership traits include courage, desire for impact, clear vision, accountability, and caring for people.
- Organizational advice: Prioritize innovation with a customer-centric approach, value knowledge management, and gain industry-wide knowledge.
- Purpose is powerful, and employees, especially millennials and Gen Z, seek to make a difference at work.
- Leaders should communicate the organization's purpose intentionally to boost employee pride.
- Instead of focusing on weaknesses, leaders should help employees discover and leverage their strengths.
- Enhancing the employee experience (EX) is critical for delivering a positive customer experience (CX). Leaders should nurture a psychologically safe environment, allowing innovation and experimentation.
Following the substantial keynote session led by the two formidable business leaders, the event seamlessly transitioned into the eagerly awaited panel discussion, expertly moderated by Jeremy John Pintor, who is not only an adept moderator and a staple host for Viventis events but also the Head of Viventis' Talent Development team, brought his wealth of expertise to the fore, ensuring a dynamic and insightful discussion. The panel was a star-studded affair, featuring highly respected luminaries from their respective fields.
First to grace the stage was Jo-Ann Tacorda, the Chief Administrative Officer of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, a distinguished figure in the world of finance. She was followed by Arvy Villamarzo, who holds the esteemed position of Associate Director for Leadership and Development at Asurion, making him an acclaimed authority in the BPO industry. Last but certainly not least, the healthcare sector was well represented by Joey Briones, who is currently serving as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Metro Pacific Hospitals.
These remarkable industry leaders brought their wealth of experience and wisdom to the table, engaging in a deep and insightful discussion focused on the event's central theme, "The Importance of Leading Self, People, and Growth."
It was this discussion that truly encapsulated the essence of the event, providing attendees with a profound understanding of the principles behind revolutionary leadership.
Key Takeaways from Panel Speakers:
Jo-Ann Tacorda:
- Driving 'Revolution' Anchored on Digitalization: PJ Lhuillier's transformation journey began before the pandemic, driven by their commitment to serve underserved markets. Their strategy was shaped by insights from the grassroots level.
- Revolutionary Leader Definition and Attributes: A revolutionary leader is a positive non-conformist who innovates and adapts. They need to be tech-savvy, data-driven, change-oriented, communicative, and purpose-driven.
- Setting the Tone from the Top: CEO and management's commitment to digital capability modeling and using their own services set the transformation tone, fostering knowledge sharing and added value for customers.
Arvy Villamarzo:
- WFH Pivot: The WFH shift transformed the BPO industry, raising questions about leading remote teams, engagement, and productivity measurement.
- Revolutionary Leader who are Culture-Savvy: Leaders should prioritize cultural awareness in a globalized world and understand diverse generational perspectives to avoid imposing their beliefs on others.
- It takes the entire organization to raise a leader: Organizations should recognize that their values, culture, systems, and more collectively shape their ability to develop leaders.
Joey Briones:
- Evolution vs Revolution: Understanding the difference is crucial for defining revolutionary leadership. Evolution involves incremental changes, while revolution requires courage and innovation.
- Who do you serve? Different organizations have unique stories, and it's essential to ask who they serve. This question serves as an anchor for revolutionizing their operations.
- Understanding your Leadership Brand: Effective leaders share 60% of attributes and competencies but differ in their unique leadership brand (the remaining 40%). Leaders should invest in self-awareness to discover what sets them apart as unique and special leaders.
In the spirit of learning and development, no learning event would be complete without engaging activities. Following the enriching keynote and panel discussions, all attendees were encouraged to participate in experiential games thoughtfully curated by the talent development team. The group was divided into two teams, and they ventured outside the ballroom to partake in the games, namely "Magic Carpet" and "Blockmates."
These activities provided a hands-on preview of what participants could expect in our Leadership Full Circle courses, offering a tangible sense of the diverse learning experience.
And to seamlessly connect all the elements of the event, following the exhilarating activities, everyone returned to their seats to get a glimpse into Viventis Talent Development's latest flagship programs and solutions.
These offerings are not just set and committed; they are dedicated to empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their workforces. And true to their promise to provide organizations with research-based solutions and expertise, we've joined forces with an esteemed group of coaches and experts, covering a wide spectrum of leadership development areas. The faculty excels in coaching, change management, communications, innovation, human resources, and strategy.
These experienced coaches offer a diverse range of methodologies, including Transformational Coaching, Transition Coaching, Action Reflection Learning, Dimensions of Wellness, Points of You, BetterUp, Kaizen, Canfield Success Principles, Gallup Strengths Finder, Landmark Forum, Creatrix Transformologist, Quality Mind, GTCI Team Coaching, DISC, NLP, MBTI, and LEC for executive, individual, and team coaching.
After the presentation of Viventis Talent Development's latest catalogue, the outstanding coaches and luminaries who had made significant contributions to the business unit's success were invited on stage to commemorate their excellence. These individuals included Vina Paglikawan, Nikka Santos, Stephanie Alcala-Escareal, Wacky Salazar, Aljor Perreras, Arvy Villamarzo, Rezza Custodio-Soriano, Edwin Soriano, Anna Ordinario, Brian Quebengco, Marco Escareal, Ken Navarro, and Vina Vicente, and their achievements were celebrated.
Find out more about our innovative solutions by visiting our website at www.viventis-search.com or reach out to us at learnandlead@viventis-search.com. You can also connect with us on social media!
