By Ivy M. Casipe

Being called a “leader”, for me, is a huge and heavy responsibility, especially surrounded by highly capable and experienced Management Committee members.

Thus, I started researching, looking for insights and learnings on what constitutes a “leader”. I came across this: “You’re not allowed to call yourself a leader”. And thus, this line remained with me that being a “leader” is defined by the people with you, keeping me grounded, to be open, and to develop continually.

So, how do I continuously improve in a fast-changing environment?

Personal Mindset

I believe that one of the most crucial characteristics is to have a mindset that one can never be perfect. There will never be growth if one thinks that there is nothing to improve on. Secondly, as we are not perfect, we need to accept that we are bound to make mistakes. Accepting our mistakes and learning from them is part of one’s development, as cliché as it may sound.

Actively seek continuous improvement

Actively seeking continuous improvement can be done by:

1. Having the desire for continuous learning, not just academics or theory, but through real-life experience. Technology is ever-changing, but even with academic or theoretical knowledge, if one is unable to apply those in real life, then we cannot optimize such knowledge.
2. Looking for role models, especially in areas where one is lacking. For me, I keenly observe these people that I admire and take note of their thought process, their decision-making, how they handle situations. And when faced with similar situations, I take into consideration what I have learned through my observation and apply them accordingly.
3. Actively seeking feedback ensures that you can reflect on what you did well and what you can improve on, noting that this should not be restricted to just your superiors but more so from your peers or from your people. And when we do get negative feedback, be calm and go back to number 1.
4. Conducting coaching and being a mentor will give you a perspective from both sides. I learn as much from those I coach and this has helped me to have more insights and have a wider perspective on people and things.

Collective Growth

The most important aspect for me is that development should not just be done individually, but collectively. You develop with your team, communicate and build trust, and uplift each other. It is critical to acknowledge that results come from the team’s efforts and not just your own, so everyone should move forward together.  

There are still various methods by which one can develop. However, the most relevant for me will always be the consistency to pursue development of not just one’s self, but the whole team. As one film said, “Nobody gets left behind”.