Leadership remains one of the most powerful aspects in shaping a certain commerce of man, whether in business, academia, cooperatives, or community groups. Yet, there’s a crucial distinction often overlooked: true leadership drastically differs from simply being a boss. Understanding the difference can transform the organization and the lives of everyone in the company.
“The function of leadership is to create more leaders, not followers.” — a powerful quote from activist Ralph Nader that initiated the spirit of the conference for UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co.’s Midyear Motivational Series 2025, as Managing Partner Michael Aguirre welcomed the participants who bravely made it to the event to gather together amidst typhoon Opong. Correlating the advocacy of Nader that changed the automobile industry with the accounting profession’s role in assuring public trust, Mr. Aguirre challenged the participants to raise the standards to initiate change. The message was crystal clear: despite the ongoing storm outside, the presence of each other in the conference would inspire, strengthen, and empower them. Apart from this, the conference comprised professionals from Manila, Cebu, and Clark — making it an insightful and transformative learning experience about leadership.
Mastering the Science behind Public Speaking
With Coach Raju Mandhyan, public speaking was the conference’s central theme. He demonstrated how being authentic and vulnerable can change fear into a science of mastery. Coach Raju also discussed the 55-38-7 rule for audience impact, highlighting the importance of behavior, persona, and content in practical and meaningful communication. This insight challenged many participants to reconsider their approach towards professional communication, emphasizing that effective leadership begins with the capability to connect realistically with different audiences through verbal and non-verbal cues.
Ethical Governance: Pioneers of Transparent Systems
The conference addressed the recent governance and ethical challenges, with insights from former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza. The attendees strongly acknowledged her presentation on fighting corruption through AI-integrated governance systems and the participation of citizens. She discussed that ethical excellence is not just about having personal or professional integrity. Still, it also requires active participation in fostering accountability and transparency that serves the utmost public interest.
Strategic Business Marketing: Client Relations and Ethical Contemplation
Dean Danny Calubay further enriched the discussion with enlightenment on moral practices in audit, tax, and consultancy services provided by CPAs, dwelling on the importance of trust, competence, and management of relationships. Participants were able to grasp that successful consulting should not just be about technical expertise but rather about developing genuine relationships, upholding ethical standards, and continuously evolving to meet the demanding changes of the market. Additionally, he explored ethical marketing approaches for implementing business strategies and acquiring client relationships, explicitly tailored for auditing and consulting firms. She emphasized understanding the client’s needs, building confidence & trust, and adapting to post-pandemic market realities, providing practical frameworks for professionals to grow.
Change: A Path to Professional Fulfillment
The leadership conference concluded with Jan Silan’s compelling discussion on “The Power of Progress: Navigating Change with Confidence”. He shared his personal experience about career transformation, from being a call center agent to an IT Specialist. Jan stressed adaptability and continuous learning, especially in a rapidly technological-advancing environment like AI. His perception of organizational changes noted the vitality of having a clear purpose, humility, and setting goals while simultaneously tracking progress. The event reiterated that success depends on maintaining clarity of purpose while remaining flexible in approach, with the key takeaway being focused on empowerment via trusting others, building meaningful networks, and having the courage to take calculated risks in pursuing professional accomplishments.
