Daven Tamayo

Boardroom Tea: How not to deliver a keynote address

Article (news)

Salve Ibaňez

ABS-CBN News

<p>As we welcome the new year, it is apt to look back at the wins of the past 12 months, but also at critical lessons that should not be repeated in 2026.</p><p>In business, as in life, we need to recognize the soft triumphs that are usually ignored, the accomplishments that are not about solutions and fixes, but about how we adapted as humans to live better in the past yar. Even in the toughest of boardrooms, internal struggles to stay regulated in the middle of tensions should be celebrated.</p><p>Let us not overlook progress in the quiet corners of kindness, understanding, and choosing to step back because the cost of pushing is too much.</p><p>I trust that this is an internal conversation many of us must go through as we celebrate the New Year. As for critical lessons, let me share one that is far too important to hide in the name of being polite.</p><p>Calling all public figures, boardroom fixtures, and members of the upper crust: let us remember that finesse and grace speak louder than any chest-pounding speech.</p><p>At an important function attended by some of the most powerful government officials in one of the most critical government organizations this month, an already influential nth generation of a rich and powerful family gave his keynote address. But to everybody’s surprise, it was not about the significance of the awarding that was happening, but of his positions, his influence, and his proximity to other powerful people.</p><p>The funny thing is, nobody was really surprised.</p><p>As soon as he spoke, one of the government officials seated at the front table immediately made sure the speaker would not be invited ever again to speak at the event. The head of the agency, who normally loves to chat at this annual event and talk about kare-kare and other items on the menu, immediately rose and left.</p><p>What irked most of those who listened was how the speaker arrived very late but strode to join the photo opportunity at the center of the already assembled awardees and head of agency. He even wanted to dislodge someone at the &quot;presidential table&quot; so he can sit beside the most powerful person there. And worse, in his speech, he demoted a well-loved former Cabinet Secretary and called him his employee.</p><p>The cringe factor was astronomical. Here&#x27;s someone who clearly never learned that true power whispers while insecurity screams.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Lessons from True Leaders</strong></div><p>Contrast this with moments of authentic grace we witnessed throughout the year. Fr. Flaviano Antonio Villanueva&#x27;s acceptance of the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award at the Metropolitan Theater in November exemplified what real leadership looks like—he unfurled a list of families affected by extrajudicial killings, declaring &quot;this honor was never about me, but about the many lives and hands that gave it meaning.&quot;</p><p>The evening drew over 700 distinguished guests, including government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and civil society organizations—yet the spotlight remained firmly on service rather than self-aggrandizement.</p><p>What a better world we would have if even dynasties understand that privilege comes with responsibility, not entitlement.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Succession Dance Continues</strong></div><p>Speaking of dynasties done right, the business community continues its fascinating succession ballet. Edgar Saavedra&#x27;s refreshingly zen approach to grooming the next generation stands in stark contrast to the government ceremony fiasco. His philosophy? Don&#x27;t force your children into roles they&#x27;re not ready for—a wisdom that could serve our political families well.</p><p>Meanwhile, Filipino companies dominated the ACES Awards 2025 in Bali this month, with winners embodying &quot;malasakit&quot;—a profound sense of care that guided every program and innovation showcased. These are leaders who understand that true influence comes from impact, not from name-dropping at award ceremonies.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Social Currency vs. Social Intelligence</strong></div><p>The difference between the insufferable speech and authentic leadership boils down to social intelligence. The former mistakes proximity to power for actual influence. The latter understands that real influence is earned through service, competence, and grace under pressure.</p><p>Here&#x27;s the thing about old money and established families: the truly powerful ones never have to announce their pedigree. Their actions, contributions, and character speak volumes. They understand that arriving late to commandeer photo opportunities and delivering speeches about personal connections reveals insecurity, not influence.</p><p>In Filipino business circles, we&#x27;ve seen this pattern repeatedly—those who&#x27;ve truly earned their place at the table focus on the work, while those desperate to prove their relevance focus on the titles.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Ripple Effect</strong></div><p>What makes the government ceremony incident particularly damaging isn&#x27;t just the immediate embarrassment. It&#x27;s the institutional memory that follows. Government officials have long memories, and being tagged as &quot;never invite again&quot; creates ripple effects across agencies and future administrations.</p><p>Smart dynasties understand this. They invest in relationships built on mutual respect, not transactional interactions designed to showcase their importance. They show up on time, speak about the purpose of the event, and leave space for others to shine.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></div><p>As we close out 2025, the lesson remains crystal clear: authentic influence requires no announcement. Grace under pressure, timeliness, and focusing on others rather than yourself— these are the markers of true leadership. The business community already gets this. The political establishment could learn a thing or two. Until next week, remember: true power never has to prove itself.</p><div><em>Boardroom Tea comes out every Wednesday.</em></div>

<p>The cringe factor was astronomical. Here's someone who clearly never learned that true power whispers while insecurity screams.</p>

The cringe factor was astronomical. Here's someone who clearly never learned that true power whispers while insecurity screams.