Leadership without the spotlight

By Herman M. Lagon

Some of the best leaders are not in spotlights or news feeds. You will not always find them behind a podium or flashing credentials. More often, they are quietly doing the work—like the public school teacher in the mountains juggling sixty restless students with a calm voice and tired smile, or the barangay captain who still visits a bedridden lola in a far sitio long after the campaign posters have faded. Their leadership is not about titles—it is about showing up. In classrooms, barangays, and offices, true leaders are those who make others feel valued, even when no one’s watching.

At the heart of it is vision—not the kind on tarpaulins, but the kind that quietly guides everyday decisions. A principal worth her salt does not just parrot DepEd directives. She helps her team believe that despite brownouts and missing modules, what they do still matters. That kind of clarity gives purpose to even the most tiring paperwork. It is not about being inspiring for show. It is about giving people something worth showing up for.

But vision means little if it stays in PowerPoint decks. A leader who says they care about “inclusive education” but overlooks the isolated schools in Carles or Tapaz misses the mark. Leadership, at its best, connects big words to small realities. It links the goal of “no child left behind” to making sure a fourth-grade teacher has chalk, a functioning CR, a competent teacher, and merienda for the kids who walk an hour to school. According to Gallup (2024), teams perform better and stay more engaged when they know exactly how their tasks connect to something greater. It is not magic—it is just good leadership that makes the dream doable.

That connection also depends on clarity. People cannot hit a target they cannot see. Whether in a municipal office or a sari-sari store operation, unclear expectations lead to stress and burnout. As the Center for Creative Leadership (2023) noted, vagueness breeds confusion. Great leaders do not micromanage—but they do make things clear. “Basta maayos” is not a plan. Respect means taking the time to be specific.

And when things go sideways—as they often do—feedback matters. Not the once-a-year kind wrapped in awkward HR forms, but honest, caring, timely conversations. A principal pulling a teacher aside with compassion instead of a memo shows more leadership than a dozen team-building seminars. According to Harvard Business Review (2023), regular feedback helps people grow, not just cope. Real coaching is not about blame; it is about belief in someone’s potential.

But no policy or program beats genuine care. Some of the most beloved leaders in our workplaces are those who remember birthdays, who notice when someone looks tired, who ask “Kumusta ka?” and mean it. These small gestures build loyalty far stronger than any bonus. McKinsey’s 2024 study found that when leaders show empathy, people stay—and stay engaged. Compassion is not a soft skill. It is a survival skill.

Trust deepens when leaders share pieces of themselves—not to overshare, but to relate. A dean telling his students about flunking a college subject’s exam once does more than humanize him—it reminds others that failure is not the end. Stories, especially the vulnerable ones, make space for growth. The strongest leaders are not flawless—they are honest.

Humor helps, too. Leadership does not always have to be stiff. Teams that laugh together often work better together. Fun can come from small things—a corny award during a faculty meeting or a meme in the group chat. A Stanford study (2022) backs this up: laughter sharpens creativity. It is not about being a clown—it is about making room for joy.

But no amount of fun will last without strong teams. Good leaders build people up, not just rely on them. A principal who lets her new teachers run a project is planting seeds for future leaders. Leadership is not a solo gig. It is about orchestration—knowing when to step back so others can step up.

Listening is part of that, too—not the polite nodding kind, but real listening. Whether it is a clerk with a bright idea or a call center agent spotting a better system, people light up when they are heard. A recent survey by the Development Academy of the Philippines (2024) showed that teams that feel listened to are more creative and collaborative. Inclusion starts with listening, not with logos.

Lastly, good work needs to be noticed. “Trabaho lang po” may be our default reply, but deep down, we all want to feel appreciated. Recognition does not need a stage. A simple “Salamat,” a quick shoutout, or a shared merienda after a long day can mean the world. People work harder when they feel seen—not for rewards, but because someone noticed.

Great leaders are not perfect. They show up, listen, and lift others when things get messy. We rarely remember the loudest in the room. We remember those who led with quiet grit and honest care—the kind our classrooms, barangays, and homes need most. The real test? When they are gone, the space they filled feels hard to replace.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.