In today’s complicated social and economic world, there are rare gems that not only dare to dream but also work hard to make those dreams come true. Richard Anthony Tagle is one of these fantastic people. He is currently the president and CEO of the Denver Public Schools Foundation.
Richard’s journey shows a variety of lessons and insights that can help us grow as people and professionals. He is known for his unwavering commitment to helping children, families and communities who have been left behind.
Tagle was on track to becoming an investment banker when he went to American University. However, he got pulled into the world of sociology by accident. His path changed when he became interested in foreign agencies. This made him realize how complicated it is for organizations to shape social structures and relationships. He finally got a Master’s degree in applied sociology because of this new interest, which set him on the path to use his knowledge and skills for the good of society as a whole.
This “accidental sociologist” has become influential in many fields, thanks to his schooling and 30 years of nonprofit work. He has worked as a senior program officer for the United States Conference of Mayors, chief of staff at the Public Education Network and CEO at the Andy Roddick Foundation and Higher Achievement. Richard is also the founder and managing principal of High Think and is currently in charge of the Denver Public Schools Foundation.
Tagle has shown that he believes in the power of community spirit and kindness in every job he has had, with a focus on how society treats children and people who are weak. In the mid-1990s, he built health centers in schools, made programs for neighborhoods that didn’t have enough services and raised millions of dollars for programs that help children and families.
Tagle’s journey has not been easy. He knows that unexpected things will happen and that it’s essential to be strong when facing them. He has learned to listen carefully to understand what is said, what isn’t and the real stories behind the tales. These events have shown him how important it is to learn from mistakes, which is a crucial part of his job as CEO.
He says that to be successful in foreign business, you need to be fluent in multiple languages, understand different cultures, be able to handle different situations and have a global mindset. Tagle’s belief in the power of listening and judging shows that he is sure that good leadership always needs learning and teaching.
How can you use what you’ve learned at a place like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas? First, Tagle’s focus on the bigger picture aligns with what the central bank should do. It shows how important it is for us to keep our country’s finances stable and ensure that the economy grows sustainably. This is a goal that we should be committed to.
Second, his experience with being strong in the face of problems significantly impacts the bank. As BSPers, we need to be able to respond quickly to changes in the outside world and be strong when the economy is uncertain.
Third, Tagle’s emphasis on listening and good judgment shows us how important these skills are in business. In our jobs, we must pay attention to how the market moves, spot economic trends and know what our policy choices mean.
Lastly, the focus on learning and teaching relates to our ongoing career growth. The BSP pushes its workers to go to school, learn new skills and share their knowledge with their coworkers. Like Tagle, we should try to learn and teach throughout our lives.
Tagle’s trip shows the power of a new direction, leading to a deeper understanding of society’s workings. His story is a lighthouse that guides us on how to follow our dreams and learn from our mistakes. When we compare his trip to what we do in the BSP, we see that our work is about more than just economic policy. It’s about making the world a better place for everyone.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. He can be reached at jonathan_relos@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.