The toughest HR problems don’t live in your company handbook. They live in the hallways. They show up in whispered conversations, in quiet nods during meetings, and in the habits nobody dares to question. These are the unwritten rules. Nobody wrote them down. Yet everybody […]
Every rainy season, the Philippines drowns. Students wade through flooded streets. Roofs become communal sleeping platforms. Boats replace jeepneys. Year after year, the same tragedy. And still—we spend. Billions. On dikes. On drainage. On pumping stations. In 2025 alone, billions was poured into flood control.
Duterte, Project NOAH, and the Politics of Priorities Read More »
Every morning feels the same for many people. Wake up, rush through traffic, answer emails, tick boxes on a to-do list, and collapse at night. Days blur into weeks, weeks into months, until you wonder if you’ve really lived—or just maintained. I’ve been there too.
Let’s be fair from the start: nobody chooses their parents. If you’re born into a powerful family, that’s not a crime. You didn’t file an application form saying, “Please make me the son or daughter of a senator.” You just showed up in the world
Nepo Babies Gone Wild: When Privilege Turns into Impunity Read More »
Justice is supposed to mean fairness, balance, and order. Yet in the Philippines—as in many parts of the world—justice often favors the powerful and punishes the powerless. Recently, ABS-CBN reported the story of a woman who spent 23 years in prison for a crime that
When Justice Becomes Injustice: A Woman Jailed 23 Years for a 30-Day Sentence Read More »
The teacher crouches down, eye level with a five-year-old. “Can you put your crayons back in the box?” The child nods but hesitates. The teacher hovers, pointing. “No, not that way—here, let me do it for you.” She guides the small hands, corrects the angle,
Delegation Without Babysitting: How to Lead Adults, Not Kids Read More »
Let’s be honest. How many times have you thought: “If I want this done right, I’ll just do it myself.” We’ve all said it. Sometimes out loud, sometimes under our breath. And in the moment, it feels true. You can probably do it faster. You
When the Discaya couple appeared in that interview, it was supposed to be inspiring. A “rags-to-riches” story. A glimpse into their glamorous lifestyle. The kind of feature you’d expect to see on a weekend magazine show. But the reaction from Filipinos? “Hindi inspiring. Walang dating.”
When Journalists Forget the Truth, Citizens Must Remind Them Read More »
People love to ask me: “Jef, you’ve written more than 10 books. Why keep writing?” My answer? Writing books helped me think better. As a consultant and trainer, I’m full of stories, lessons, and frameworks. I don’t want to wait for the stage to share
The Secret to a “Grand Slam Offer” Book: Why Solving One Problem Completely is Key Read More »
There’s a province where the governor is the father. The congressman is the son. The mayor of the capital town is the daughter. The uncle is a barangay captain. And when elections come around, they switch chairs like it’s a family game of musical chairs.
Breaking the Chains: Why the Philippines Needs an Anti-Political Dynasty Law Read More »
It was one of those sticky afternoons in Makati, the kind where traffic lights feel longer than they should. I was inching forward when the car in front of me hesitated — unsure if it should turn left or right. I stopped just behind it.
There’s a habit that separates those who grow steadily from those who stay stuck. It’s not raw talent. It’s not waiting for opportunities. It’s not even practice—at least, not the way most people understand practice. The secret is this: rehearse before you speak. Not once.
Rehearse Before You Speak: Why Daily Rehearsal Builds Mastery That Lasts Read More »
Do not craft a speech — or hold an event — if you do not know how it can change the lives of those people who are attending.
You do not have to serve the need of everyone, but there is always a starving crowd which you can feed. Feed your crowd, not your ego.
Define the Needs of Your Audience and You Will Not Waste a Single Minute of Their Time Read More »
It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO in a boardroom, a teacher in front of restless students, or a parent trying to guide your child: leadership always requires storytelling. Because when you lead, you are not just giving instructions. You are shaping vision. You are
It will be easier for you to lead when you know how to tell a story Read More »
A few years ago, I was invited to speak at a regional conference for educators. The organizers told me, “Just talk about motivation—our teachers need inspiration.” So I prepared a rousing talk on goal-setting, vision boards, and the science of motivation. My slides looked sharp.
Listen Before You Speak: Preparing the Way for Resonance Read More »
You can delegate all the right tasks, set the clearest boundaries, and still feel stuck. Why? Because people don’t grow by tasks alone. They grow when someone helps them reflect, stretch, and believe in their potential. That’s where mentoring and coaching come in. Without them,
The Power of Mentoring and Coaching in Delegation Read More »
You’ve handed off tasks. You’ve set boundaries. You’ve checked in. And yet, you still feel like the bottleneck. Every major decision comes back to you. Every approval, every green light, every final word. Delegation frees your hands, but it doesn’t always free your head. That’s
From Delegation to Empowerment: Unleash Your Team’s Potential Read More »
You’ve delegated a task. You feel lighter. Then, a day later, your teammate shows up at your desk: “I hit a problem. What should I do?” You give a quick answer. The next day, they’re back with another roadblock. Soon, you’re not just advising—you’re doing
Stop Reverse Delegation: Keep the Task with the Owner Read More »
Think back to the last time you gave someone a task. Maybe you explained it quickly before a meeting. Maybe it was a late-night chat message. Maybe you scribbled it down on a sticky note. Then a week later, the result wasn’t what you expected.
Document and Debrief – Learning and Upgrading Delegation Read More »
You’ve just delegated a major task. At first, you feel relieved. But an hour later, your mind starts racing. Did they understand the instructions? What if they miss something? What if the client complains? So you check in. Then you check again. And again. Soon,
Step 5: Agree on Check-Ins – Oversight Without Hovering Read More »
Good leaders desire a better world for all. But we cannot wait for good leaders to appear. We must strive to become good leaders - and help those around us become good leaders.
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