“I am immensely grateful to the CEOs who have taken time out of their hectic schedules to engage with us, inspire us, and motivate us to become good leaders of the future.”
During a recent CEO series class, we were privileged to have Ms. Hazel Delos Santos as our esteemed guest speaker. My groupmates and I were fortunate to host this enlightening and inspiring session. This elective has become one of the highlights of my MBA journey because it provides me with invaluable insights and motivation from successful leaders.
I am immensely grateful to the CEOs who have taken time out of their hectic schedules to engage with us, inspire us, and motivate us to become good leaders of the future. As Ms. Hazel emphasized, the hallmark of a good leader is the willingness to share, and these CEOs exemplify this trait remarkably.
Ms. Hazel began her talk by sharing her professional journey. She was very transparent about her employment history and the reasons behind her career transitions. Her honesty and bravery in navigating her career path, eagerness to learn, and willingness to step out of her comfort zone make her a role model for the kind of female leader I aspire to be.
As I reflect on Ms. Hazel’s insights and my future as a leader, several key messages stand out:
● Lifelong Learning: The eagerness to learn and adapt to new situations highlights the importance of lifelong learning. As a future leader, I will foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within my organization.
● Courage to Change: Courage to change means being ready to leave behind old habits and comfort zones to find fresh opportunities and innovative approaches to getting where you want to go. This courage is important for personal and professional growth because it leads to progress and a mindset of always getting better and coming up with new ideas.
● Work-Life Balance: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term success and well-being. As a leader, I will prioritize and model the importance of balancing professional and personal responsibilities while encouraging my team to do the same.
Meanwhile, as I continue my MBA studies and work towards becoming a future leader, there are several actions I can take now, based on what I have learned from Ms. Hazel:
● Practice Active Listening: I will actively listen and pose thoughtful inquiries in conversations and meetings. This endeavor will help me see things from other people’s points of view and show that I am dedicated to learning.
● Be Prepared: Whether for academic, professional, or networking purposes, I will enter a meeting well-prepared to show my dedication and respect for others’ time and knowledge.
● Set Boundaries for Work-Life Balance: I will start setting boundaries for my personal time, such as designated phone-free periods during family time, to cultivate a habit of intentional quality time for the things that matter most.
● Seek Mentorship and Guidance: I will proactively seek mentors and advisers who can assist me in navigating my career progression and provide me with guidance. By integrating knowledge from their experiences, I will enhance my ability to navigate my own journey more effectively.
Ms. Hazel Delos Santos’ talk significantly impacted my understanding of leadership and provided me with practical advice that I can use now and in the future. Her dedication to being truthful, brave, and striving for excellence in all aspects of her life―including her family and career―is inspiring. I am motivated to implement these ideas and aspire to become a courageous, compassionate, and accomplished leader as I advance through my MBA program.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. She wrote this reflection paper for her class on Trends and Issues in Business and Management: CEO Series. She can be reached at kiezarie_alfonso@dlsu.edu.ph.
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.
