A recent executive departure from one of the country’s top conglomerates has been met with a sense of relief from her team. Prior to her exit, this executive had built a reputation for being fiercely unapproachable, preferring to remain in her metaphorical “Ivory Tower” rather than engaging with her colleagues. This aloof approach did not sit well with many, especially in an environment where collaboration and approachability are key.
Upon her appointment, she swiftly imposed a leadership style that mirrored that of a certain powerful world leader, believing it to be the most effective way to manage her Filipino counterparts. However, this “top-down” approach, while bold, was not well received. It disrupted long-established traditions within the company, particularly in how they engaged with media partners. The company’s well-liked, media-savvy predecessor was suddenly fondly remembered, with many lamenting the loss of regular, genuine media interactions.
To make matters worse, in the wake of the executive’s cold leadership, some managers were forced to dip into their own pockets to maintain goodwill with the media, offering birthday and Christmas tokens of appreciation. While some media members politely declined, others couldn’t help but wonder whether the department’s supposed savings under this executive’s reign were finding their way into her pockets instead.
Now that the executive has moved on, a new leader has taken the helm, and there’s hope that the winds of change are blowing in a more positive direction. The new executive is seen as friendlier, more approachable, and much more attuned to the importance of media relationships, signaling a brighter future for the department.
