On 03 December 2024, leaders gathered at The Reef Island Resort, Mactan Cebu, for a highly interactive and reflective Leadership Workshop titled “Reflection & Direction.” The event brought together key management members to foster collaboration, introspection, and the exploration of leadership dynamics in a fast-paced workplace.
Key Highlights of the Leadership Workshop
1. Insights on Leadership
The activity kicked off with a video from Simon Sinker, focused on leadership. Then, the participants shared their takeaways from the video and what it means to lead effectively. Here are some of what they shared:
- Max Quebral emphasised the duality of leadership, stating, “Leaders hold authority, but they also inspire us.”
- Dorothy Dormitorio discussed the importance of balance in decision-making: “The lower part of the brain is logic, and the right part governs emotions. As leaders, we must adopt a balanced approach—not ruling purely with the heart or the head.”
- Richard Gross added thought-provoking insights, highlighting the need for clients to articulate their “why,” allowing developers to deliver with purpose. He also mentioned the fact that both staff and clients build lasting connections when care and empathy are prioritised.
2. Team-Building Activity: Reflecting on 2024
Afterward, Missy conducted an activity with participants describing their experiences during 2024. They were asked to describe the year in one word. Our CEO, Rich, then had to guess who said each response. Â
Words like “Learning” (Dorothy), “Roller Coaster” (Berlyn), and “Collaboration” (Edgardo) revealed the diverse emotions and challenges faced throughout the year. Impressively, Rich guessed all correctly. This exercise revealed a strong connection between the leader and the team while offering moments of shared laughter and deeper understanding.
3. Getting Personal: Introducing the Leaders
In another interactive segment, each participant shared three personal facts about themselves—spanning professional achievements, personal interests, and unique trivia. The group was tasked with guessing who each set of facts belonged to.
While some guesses were spot-on, others pleasantly surprised the team, reflecting how much there is to learn about one another even after years of working together.
This activity sparked engaging discussions and brought out fun, unexpected revelations. Likewise, it not only brought laughter but also deepened the team’s sense of camaraderie.
4. Takeaways from the Leadership Workshop
The session concluded with impactful reflections from the participants:
- Edgardo Dela Cruz: Integrity is essential in leadership.
- Max Quebral: It’s vital to understand people personally, not just professionally.
- Missy Arcenal: Leaders must prioritise meaningful connections with their teams.
- Richard Gross: Great leadership stems from asking the right questions to gain actionable insights.
Final Thoughts
The Leadership Workshop was a resounding success, as it fostered introspection, connection, and collaboration among the attendees. Activities like the word-guessing challenge and personal introductions bridged professional and personal divides, reinforcing trust within the leadership team. The event served as a powerful reminder that impactful leadership is built on empathy, understanding, and meaningful dialogue.
As Missy aptly put it: “As your leader, it’s important that we connect with you.”
