“Always be in good faith. Do what is right, and not what is convenient.”
In our fifth CEO Series class, we had the privilege of learning from the remarkable journey of Mr. Richard Anthony Tagle. His story, from a student at Ateneo to a leader in America, is not just fascinating, but also deeply inspiring. His leadership philosophy, shaped by his personal journey and the lessons he has learned, is a beacon of hope for all of us on our own leadership paths.
When asked about his aspirations beyond his achievements, Mr. Tagle expressed his enduring dream of creating a more significant impact in the community. He envisions a future where more students achieve higher levels of education and where Public-Private Partnerships are significantly improved. His dedication to education and community development is evident, and it’s clear that his work is driven by a passion to make a lasting difference.
Mr. Tagle shared insights into what he believes constitutes a winning culture. Having held four president and CEO positions, he candidly discussed his mistakes in his first CEO role. He admitted that initially, he needed to fully understand the responsibilities of a CEO and made numerous errors, particularly in fostering open communication with his team.
According to Mr. Tagle, a leader’s number one responsibility is to ensure that the team is fully aware of the organization’s current status. This involves transparently sharing what the organization excels at and where improvements are needed. He believes that when people are aware of the organization’s challenges, they are more inclined to contribute to overcoming them. If the problems are not communicated, employees are unable to assist in finding solutions.
Reflecting on this, I find this aspect of leadership incredibly important. My previous blog entry mentioned my recent transition to a new company after six years with my former employer. One instance that stands out is when my previous company was striving to hit its first billion-peso revenue. My manager informed our department about the concern of failing to meet the annual goal due to some delayed orders, leaving us 40 million pesos short.
Armed with this knowledge, I aimed to help bridge the gap and was able to double my annual target booking, contributing an additional 32 million pesos. This significantly helped the company achieve its annual revenue goal. Open communication played a crucial role in aligning our efforts toward a common goal.
Mr. Tagle also emphasized the importance of policies that help employees prioritize their work and personal lives. While he acknowledged the concept of work-life balance, he argued that no policy can truly balance your life for you. Instead, individuals must take responsibility for managing their priorities. He stressed that while skills can be taught, policies alone cannot instill passion.
I resonate deeply with Mr. Tagle’s perspective on personal responsibility. We have unique situations and priorities and must recognize that we are responsible for managing our lives. Personally, I don’t subscribe to the notion of a strict work-life balance because, as a sales professional, I often spend more time working than at home. I greatly appreciate the flexibility in my role, where I am measured by my output rather than office hours. It allows me to manage my time effectively and meet professional and personal obligations.
My current company has policies that offer flexible working hours, such as starting early and leaving early to avoid traffic or adjusting work hours to accommodate personal commitments like dropping kids off at school. This flexibility significantly impacts employees’ lives, allowing them to fulfill family responsibilities without sacrificing their professional performance.
Mr. Tagle’s insights highlight the importance of open communication, personal responsibility, and flexibility in creating a successful and fulfilling work environment. His experiences and reflections serve as valuable lessons for any aspiring leader. As I continue to navigate my own leadership journey, I am inspired to foster transparent communication, support my team in balancing their priorities, and uphold the values that drive both personal and organizational success.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He wrote this reflection paper for her class on Trends and Issues in Business and Management: CEO Series. He can be reached at mark_anthony_afante@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.