Leadership in action, lifting the nation
(Last of two parts)
This year of our chairship presents a unique opportunity for the Philippines to be at the center of shaping the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), not at the periphery just watching others lead.
As Filipino leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs, we have something valuable to contribute to regional conversations on economic integration, digital transformation, sustainability and governance.
Leadership in action must also be forward-looking. We must embrace the bold paths of innovation that will expand our development potential from mere followers to trailblazers.
Thus, we will champion transformative directions in digital adoption, ensuring that technology serves not only business growth, but also social development and the deliberate cultivation of next-generation leadership in this arena.
The world is changing at a pace that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries. Automation is transforming the nature of work. Digital platforms are redefining how commerce, communication and community function.
Those who fail to adapt will be left behind—not gradually, but swiftly and irreversibly. We must encourage and urge investments in platforms that enable us to collaborate, learn and transact seamlessly.
We will advocate for policies that expand digital infrastructure and digital literacy across the archipelago, ensuring digital access for all to bridge the divide so that opportunity is not limited by geography or income.
We will forge partnerships with technology companies, not as passive consumers of their products, but as active shapers of how technology serves Filipino interests.
Technology alone is not the answer, however. It is a tool—and tools are only as good as the hands that wield them. This is why the cultivation of leaders who can ignite the digital technology spark is critical.
We must deliberately establish leadership pipelines because these do not build themselves. They require intention, investment and most importantly, the humility of current leaders to be the voices of wisdom while making room for emerging voices.
We will institutionalize structured mentorship programs that pair seasoned members with young professionals and create pathways for them to participate meaningfully in governance—not as token observers, but as decision-makers with real influence.
Taking on dynamic role in national development and Asean leadership
Our third direction is perhaps the most ambitious: to position Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) as a dynamic force in national development and Asean leadership.
The Philippines assumed the Asean chairship for 2026. This is not only a diplomatic milestone; it is a leadership test for us in the private sector.
It means shifting from programs that serve only our members to initiatives that serve the nation. It means measuring our success not by the number of seminars we conduct or the size of our membership rolls, but by the tangible difference we make in the lives of Filipinos who may never attend a single one of our gatherings.
We will provide inputs that will help define the business agenda for the Asean on trade, sustainability and digital integration. By strengthening cross-border dialogues, business missions and partnerships, we can expand our influence and position MAP as a key convenor in the region.
This is not only good for our country—it can open new opportunities for our members and strengthens our collective relevance.
We will contribute to policy discussions with research, with data, with the practical wisdom of professionals who understand how policy translates into practice on the ground. We will also elevate our engagement with government—not as lobbyists seeking favors, but as partners offering solutions.
And on the regional stage, we will ensure that the Filipino perspective is heard in every forum where Asean’s future is being shaped. Our participation in business delegations can help us build networks, and forge alliances that amplify our collective voice.
The Philippines will not be a passive participant in regional integration, but co-architect of it.
Leadership with integrity, growth with inclusion
Today, we stand at a pivotal moment. Never has the call for bold leadership been louder than in these times when trust is fragile, when divisions run deep and when the world around us is shifting unpredictably. It is in this moment when our collective leadership will determine not only the trajectory of our industries but the resilience of our nation.
“Leadership in action, lifting the nation” is more than a theme—it is a mandate—a call to each of us to act with courage and to lift with purpose.
Three values will be mission-critical:
• First, integrity. Leadership without integrity is not leadership at all—it is merely the exercise of power. Every decision we make, every partnership we forge, every resource we utilize must be transparent, accountable and aligned with our mission and directions.
It is about upholding ethical standards, good governance and avoiding shortcuts that compromise our principles, no matter how expedient they may seem.
• Second, inclusion. Growth that leaves people behind is not growth worth pursuing. As we expand our programs and extend our reach, we must ensure that the benefits flow to where they matter—not just to the well-connected, the well-resourced or the well-located.
The small business owner in a provincial town deserves the same access to opportunities as the executive in Makati. The young professional just starting out deserves the same voice as the industry veteran.
• Third, sustainability. We must initiate and support programs that will survive leadership transitions and institutions that grow stronger with time.
The true measure of our success will not be what we accomplish during our tenure, but what endures long after we have passed the torch to those who come next.
A call to action
Friends, I harbor no illusions that achieving the results we are aiming for will be easy. The directions we are intending to pursue may seem so lofty, perhaps even idealistic.
The past 20 years of being a member has given me the chance to witness the dedication of members who give their time, talent and treasure with no expectation of recognition or reward.
As the first Next-Gen Committee chair, I felt the idealism of young leaders who refuse to accept that the way things are is the way they must always be.
And so, I invite you—not just as your president, but as your fellow member—to join us in pursuing our directions because they matter. Success is not guaranteed, but just making the effort will be worthy.
“Leadership in action, lifting the nation” is more than a theme – it is a promise; a promise that we will not merely observe from the sidelines while others determine our nation’s fate.
It is a promise that we will roll up our sleeves, enter the arena and do the difficult, challenging, but truly essential work of rebuilding.
It is a promise that when history looks back on this moment, it will see not an association that held meetings and issued statements, but a community of leaders who made a difference.
Reciprocally, what I offer is energy, a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to bring people together and create impact that matters.
Let us embrace shared ownership of our country’s next chapter, help rebuild what has weakened, reinforce what still works, and cocreate the foundations of a more resilient, more competitive Philippines.
This was lifted from the inaugural speech of the author as the 78th and the 2026 president of the Management Association of the Philippines. He is also president and chief operating officer of DITO CME Holdings Corp. Feedback at map@map.org.ph and donaldpatricklim@gmail.com.
