Executive Education Program Holds Successful Leadership Course on Resilience, Empathy, and Adaptability

The Ateneo School of Government through the Executive Education Program concluded a training course on Resilience, Empathy, and Adaptability in Leadership (REAL), held on 14-15 November 2024. This course aimed to equip leaders with essential skills to navigate today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. The training was designed to help leaders understand the importance of resilience, empathy, and adaptability, and how these qualities are crucial in decision-making and crisis management. Through a blend of case studies, role-playing exercises, and interactive activities, participants developed strategies to lead effectively, specially in times of uncertainty and challenge.

The course attracted a diverse group of participants, including new supervisors, mid-level managers, senior leaders, and HR professionals, from a variety of sectors, all committed to enhancing their leadership capabilities. The participants came from local government units such as Victorias City and Baguio City, national government agencies including the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Institute of Labor Studies, and the National Economic Development Authority, as well as private sector companies like Star Tollway Corporation and First Gen Corporation. The training was also joined by participants from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Psychology and Department of Information System and Computer Science. 

The REAL course focused on providing a deeper understanding of the core concepts of resilience, empathy, and adaptability, emphasizing their role in leadership, especially in today’s rapidly changing world. Participants explored how resilience allows leaders to bounce back from setbacks, how empathy fosters better communication and understanding with teams, and how adaptability enables leaders to respond effectively to unpredictable challenges. By the end of the course, participants had developed actionable strategies to integrate these critical leadership skills into their day-to-day practices, strengthening their ability to lead with confidence and compassion.

The training was facilitated by a distinguished team of experts, each bringing a wealth of experience in leadership and social development.  Dr. Edgardo Valenzuela and Dr. Cristina Liamzon, core faculty members of ASoG, shared their expertise in leadership ethics, social equity, and sustainable development, drawing from their extensive careers in policy advocacy and development. Atty. Aubrey Albo-Perez and Jeronimo “Mimo” Perez, volunteer teachers in ASoG’s ALSE OF-LIFE Program, contributed insights on empathetic and transformational leadership, emphasizing values alignment and meaningful change. Together, their diverse experiences enriched participants' understanding of inclusive and impactful leadership practices.

Ms. Sharon Grace S Yabut, the Head of the Executive Education Program highlighted in her opening remarks the relevance in equipping leaders to traverse the complexities of bureaucracy and volatile environments while fostering meaningful change and adaptability. Dr Philip Arnold P Tuaño, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government emphasized in his closing remarks how ethical leadership is central to ASoG’s mission of forming leaders and leading reforms. Dean Tuaño encouraged the participants to carry the concepts they learned from the training as they go back to their respective institutions. 

The REAL course is just one of many successful initiatives of the Executive Education Program. Through these efforts, the program continues to nurture leaders who are resilient, empathetic, and adaptable, ready to face the challenges of today’s rapidly changing world. 

To learn more about upcoming courses or register for future programs, email us at execed.asog@ateneo.edu.