As we close our Women’s Month feature series, we honor Sharon Ong, Senior Manager for MIS, whose leadership journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and courage.
Our second feature in celebrating women leaders at Himlayang Pilipino highlights Ms. Ellen De Guzman, Agency Unit Manager, who has been dedicated to mentoring and leading her team for over 10 years. As a wife, a mother, and a leader, she gracefully balances her responsibilities, proving that leadership is not just about managing people, but about nurturing and empowering them.
How has being a woman influenced your leadership style and the way you mentor and empower your team at Himlayang Pilipino?
“Being an agency manager of Himlayang Pilipino is not a joke. It requires patience, understanding, and love for all the sales force members in my group. Firstly, I have to work hard to learn the ABC’s of selling and then share and teach everything that I have learned. I treat my sales force like they are my younger brothers and sisters and love them as much as a mother loves her children and unites the group as a family. It is very exciting and filled with lots of fun and love although sometimes there are trials, misunderstandings, and oppression, but it is always resolved with lots of prayers.”
1. As a female leader in HPI, what does Women’s Month mean to you?
“Women’s Month is a celebration of leadership and influence. It’s about a power with a purpose—creating a legacy. True leadership isn’t about control; it’s about trust.”
2. What challenges have you overcome as a woman in leadership, and what advice would you give to others?
- Unfair treatment: Stand firm, document everything, and build alliances with leaders who respect your role. Pick your battles wisely.
- Gossip & manipulation: Let your actions speak louder than words. Stay firm, professional, and fair.
- Handling conflicts & office politics: Stay neutral and focus on policies that uphold fairness and integrity.
- Balancing empathy & authority: Show compassion, but never compromise fairness or company policies.
3. How does being a woman shape your leadership style and impact at Himlayang Pilipino?
“I lead with honesty, strength, fairness, and resilience. My decisions are not just rational, but humane. I focus on the benefit of both the company and its people, never on power or authority.”
