Concrete Jungle

When my mom moved into a condo in Cebu, I really didn’t think much about how different it would be from living in a detached family home. I was just glad that she was finally living on her own terms in a two-bedroom unit that was spacious enough for her and her household help. A bonus was the terrace she always said she wanted although there is little chance of sitting outside and sipping coffee unless you want to do it in full view of the cars, pedestrians, habal-habal and tricycle drivers below.

And then we move into one in the central business district of Makati City, considered the country’s financial and business center.

Leadership lessons from Shell’s top man

Image lifted from "Thought Leaders"

In an interview on “Thought Leaders”, a weekly show featuring influential management and business leaders by Bloomberg TV Philippines, Shell companies in the Philippines Country Chair Edgar Chua gives some insights on his leadership and management style as he tackled various aspects of growing the business of oil and gas exploration, extraction, refining and delivery to consumers under various companies under the Shell brand.

Not everything happens by choice so make the most of chance.  When asked how he rose from being a sales representative in 1979 to his present position as country chair of Shell companies in the Philippines, Chua says some of his personnel movements were by choice and others, by chance.  “The important point is that one has to be open to opportunities, and to doing things that take you out of your comfort zone.” From sales rep, Chua did the rounds in Finance, Audit, Trading, Operations and other areas of the business.  He adds that a person who takes whatever is thrown him and takes it well proves to senior managers that he is flexible, adaptable and capable of doing different things. 

When drivers can't (don't) read

It’s happening again. I flash my headlights at the car in front of me to get the driver’s attention. We’re on the STAR tollway where the speed limit is 60 kph minimum and 100 kph maximum for private cars. The car ahead of me is hogging the passing/overtaking lane or the leftmost lane of a highway at a steady 80 kph.

There is no response. We go steady and slow until I follow other drivers and just overtake on the inside or on the right lane, which is considered dangerous and designated as a driving offense in some countries. Here, it’s just considered passing.