Cover Some of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honourees from the Philippines share their insights on the biggest leadership pitfalls (Photo: Canva)
Some of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honourees from the Philippines share their insights on the biggest leadership pitfalls (Photo: Canva)
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Great leadership can inspire, unify and bring about meaningful change. But what happens when leadership fails?
Leadership has long been heralded as the backbone of progress—the force that drives organisations, movements, and communities toward success. Great leadership has the power to inspire, unify, and bring about meaningful change. But what happens when leadership fails?
Ineffective leaders not only stall progress but actively contribute to dysfunction, sowing confusion, disengagement, and inefficiency within their teams. The repercussions can be severe: stifled innovation, a lack of trust, and an environment where people feel undervalued and unheard.
But what exactly makes a leader ineffective? What are the key traits that signal failing leadership? To answer these pressing questions, we turned to Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honourees, who shared their insights on the biggest leadership pitfalls. Their responses paint a vivid picture of what to avoid in order to lead effectively.
Read more: Lessons learnt from Influential Leaders in the Philippines
Mahar Lagmay, geologist
Above Mahar Lagmay, geologist and executive director, Project NOAH
Mahar Lagmay, geologist and executive director, Project NOAH
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Filipino geologist Mahar Lagmay has encountered ineffective leadership in many forms.
In his experience, the most damaging leaders are those who lack vision—the inability to take people where they need to be. A leader unwilling to serve, lacking clarity, and devoid of moral strength is bound to fail. Dwelling on problems without seeking solutions, avoiding innovation, and lacking conviction all contribute to weak leadership.
Perhaps most telling is the refusal to admit mistakes, the failure to credit others, and an inability to apologise. According to Lagmay, leaders should lead by example, share credit rather than hoard it, and remain open to continuous learning. Lastly, “a leader who enjoys too many meetings” is another sign of ineffective leadership.
Read more: CEOs share the books and podcasts they recommend for sustained leadership and success
Tootsy Angara, media executive
Above Tootsy Angara, cluster head of sales, ABS-CBN
Tootsy Angara, cluster head of sales, ABS-CBN
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For Tootsy Angara, the cluster head of sales at ABS-CBN, the absence of empathy is a glaring flaw of ineffective leadership. Leaders who fail to understand their team members’ perspectives create a disengaged and demotivated workforce.
On the other hand, empathetic leaders foster a supportive environment where people feel valued and heard. This, in turn, strengthens trust, improves communication, and enhances problem-solving.
“Empathetic leaders are better at conflict resolution. By understanding different viewpoints, they can mediate disputes more effectively and find solutions that work for everyone involved,” Angara stresses. Without empathy, she believes leaders fail to cultivate collaboration.
Read more: 5 Tips On How To Lead With Empathy
Toff de Venecia, public official
Above Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, Representative, House of Representatives; managing artistic director, The Sandbox Collective
Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, Representative, House of Representatives; managing artistic director, The Sandbox Collective
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Toff de Venecia, Pangasinan’s 4th district representative in the House of Representatives, points to micromanagement as a primary culprit. Leadership should be about designing and refining systems, yet ineffective leaders get lost in the details, spending too much time on individuals instead of the larger framework.
De Venecia, who also concurrently serves as the managing artistic director of The Sandbox Collective, says ineffective leaders also fail to master delegation, a critical skill that enables efficiency and empowers team members.
“Finally, an ineffective leader is someone who has jumped head-on into the how without thinking of the why,” de Venecia says, highlighting the importance of evaluating purpose first before action.
Carmen Jimenez-Ong, real estate developer
Above Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder and CEO, Menarco Development Corporation
Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder and CEO, Menarco Development Corporation
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Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder and CEO of Menarco Development Corporation, also emphasises the critical role of vision in leadership. “Ineffective leadership happens when a leader does not have a clear vision,” she says. “Without vision, there is a lack of coherence, and confusion prevails—people don’t know what to do or which direction to go.”
But even a strong vision is not enough; perseverance and grit are equally necessary for a leader to survive tough times. Jimenez-Ong also highlights the importance of support. “One can have a vision and grit, but without the support of the people and especially God, then a leader cannot perform excellently.”
Read more: Environmental changemakers on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability
Budji Layug, designer
Above Budji Layug, principal designer, Studio BDJ
Budji Layug, principal designer, Studio BDJ
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Budji Layug, principal designer at Studio BDJ, believes that ineffective leadership in design stems from a disconnect between a leader’s philosophy and the lifestyle they seek to create.
“A leader in design must embody the principles they advocate for—essentially, they must walk the talk,” he asserts. “To design for the lifestyle of others, a leader must first live and breathe that lifestyle themselves. If a designer doesn’t authentically exude or understand the lifestyle they aim to create for others, how can they genuinely design solutions that resonate?” This alignment builds credibility, fosters empathy, and guarantees that creations are meaningful and relevant, according to Layug.
Reflecting on his own career, the designer shares that he has continuously reinvented himself, ensuring his philosophies are deeply ingrained in his own life. “This deliberate alignment allows me to design with authenticity and passion,” he says, emphasising that effective leadership in design must be rooted in lived experience rather than fleeting trends or mere technical skill.
Read more: A tour inside a seaside home in southwest Manila designed by Budji Layug
Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, social entrepreneur
Above Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President and CEO, Rags2Riches
Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President and CEO, Rags2Riches
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Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and CEO of Rags2Riches, believes ineffective leadership manifests in unclear communication, rushed decision-making, and an unwillingness to consider diverse perspectives. Leaders who dismiss feedback or create an atmosphere where people feel unsafe sharing ideas inevitably weaken their organisation.
“You can recognise a workplace or company under ineffective leadership when most discussions and actions revolve around decoding leaders’ unclear messages, navigating internal politics, or protecting oneself from potential backlash,” she stresses.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
