The need for good leaders is not new. People and societies across generations have always looked for those who can inspire action or positive change. In the Philippines, 2022 elections was a turning point for individuals and organizations to reflect on the kind of leadership we truly need as a nation and on the character of leaders who align with our values as Filipinos. For the Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (CORD), this downturn sparked a strong desire to take action - to develop a leadership formation program that reflects who Ateneo CORD is as an institution - grounded in psychology as a discipline and on Ignatian spirituality as a center within a Jesuit institution.

In 2023, Ateneo CORD began this journey through a series of consultations and conversations with industry partners, young leaders, non-profit organizations, and practitioners from various sectors. At the center of these conversations are the questions: what kind of leaders do we need today and tomorrow? And how will we form good leaders for organizations and institutions in the Philippines?

These conversations revealed that, though academic credentials, technical skills, and impressive career achievements are good, they do not exactly define what a good leader is. These are important but not enough. The most-cited characteristics of a good leader include empathy, adaptability, courage, strategic thinking, decisiveness, authenticity, and people-centeredness. These soft skills are not secondary skills. These are essential to what makes a good leader. At its core, good leadership is about being a good person.

Another important source of inspiration came from the book Leadership with Father Ben1  (Franco & Lee-Chua, 2023). The book features ten young Filipino, mission-oriented leaders who exemplify what it takes to be a leader for others. These leaders, though they come from various backgrounds, share common experiences and characteristics:

• Immersion experiences, especially during childhood and student years, exposed them to hunger, poverty, and social injustice. The immersion of these young leaders in the realities of poverty fostered social awareness and deepened their compassion.
• Their family life influenced the young leaders' dispositions. Their upbringing, marked by parental support, discipline, and encouragement, has shaped their resilience in the face of challenges.
• Before leading mission-oriented organizations, most of these leaders were affiliated with religious organizations (e.g., Youth for Christ, Alyansa ng Kristyanong Mag-aaral) during their college days. These affiliations are coming from their deep faith in God.
• Hands-on responsibility pushed the young leaders to “get their hands dirty”. This meant being on the ground with the communities to deal with the real issues and problems. To some, it meant building houses hallow-block by hallow-block for the poor. To others, it was making home-cooked meals for the hungry during the pandemic.
• Being with like-minded people, peers and mentors supported these young leaders. They were given support and guidance as they navigated the challenges of leading mission-oriented organizations.

All these characteristics, coming from the young leaders and the insights from CORD’s partners, cannot be taught in a short-term training. Formation leading to the demonstration of these characteristics requires an environment that allows the leader to take root and grow well.

Drawing from these insights and through continuous refinement, Ateneo CORD developed The Good Soil. The name is inspired by the Parable of the Soils, where the seeds that fell on good soil flourished and produced fruit. In this context, when the soil is properly tilled, cultivated, and nourished, the seeds grow into thriving plants. This is a powerful metaphor for leadership development. When leaders are nurtured in the right environment, they become good leaders.

The Good Soil is a program that provides a nurturing place for leaders to reflect, reconnect with their purpose, and cultivate the essence of their leadership. The goal of the program is “to form adaptive and reflective leaders who can impact organizational outcomes that are a force for good” (Ateneo CORD, 2023). At the end of the program, “the leaders would have deepened connections to their inner self and purpose, strengthened their commitment to foster healthy organizations and communities, and be empowered to act as catalysts for positive change” (Ateneo CORD, 2024).

What sets The Good Soil apart is its focus on developing young leaders, middle managers, and organizational successors - all of which are in a critical stage in their leadership journey. At this point, they are beginning to assume greater responsibilities while still refining their identity, values, and leadership approach. The Good Soil supports them in navigating this with clarity, integrity, and purpose.

The formation process begins with sensing, in which participants connect their values and purpose to their leadership journey. In the presencing phase, they engage in a deeper reflection on their leadership experiences - what worked, what did not; the lights and the shadows. Lastly, in the co-creating phase, participants are invited to commit to transformative leadership, build a sanctuary and community with those who wish to be a Force for Good (Ateneo CORD, 2023).

In 2024, the program’s pilot run brought together leaders from various organizations - private, government, academe, and non-profit. Though diverse, the program provided a safe space for everyone to reflect and share their leadership experiences and aspirations. The participants described the experience as reflective, relevant, and highly effective. Their positive feedback and engagement demonstrated the program’s potential to be developed further as a program that can be offered to a broader public which can benefit a wider community of emerging and future leaders.

At present, The Good Soil still aims to transform leaders through self-reflection, redefine their purpose, and equip them to be catalysts for change. It does not promise quick and easy solutions. What it truly offers is something deeply rooted in the ‘person of the leader’—something they can carry with them as they continue to lead organizations, guide people, and serve their communities. As they move forward in their leadership journey, they are invited to draw from this foundation and remain a force for good in both their organizations and the wider society.

The Good Soil highlights the important role of self-mastery in leadership development. By strengthening leaders’ capacity for self-reflection, psychologists can support the development of intentional and responsible leadership. This is more important in today’s climate where leaders who are grounded in values and focused on common good are more needed by society.

By cultivating good soil for future leaders, Ateneo CORD hopes to contribute to a generation of leaders who are competent, compassionate, and committed to be a force for good.

1Bienvenido “Ben” F. Nebres, S.J., is a Jesuit educator and former Ateneo president known for his lifelong commitment to education, social development, and service to marginalized communities in the Philippines.

References

Ateneo CORD. (2023). Ateneo CORD leadership formation program design presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Ateneo de Manila University.

Ateneo CORD. (2024). The Good Soil presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Ateneo de Manila University.

Franco, E. P., & Lee-Chua, Q. N. (Eds.). (2023). #LeadershipWithFatherBen. Ateneo de Manila University Press.