In today’s fast-moving business environment, professionals often feel pressure to measure their success against the achievements of others. Promotions, titles, and milestones are frequently compared, especially in competitive industries like finance and business operations.
But according to John Edward Labay, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and finance executive at Mondelez International, one of the most important lessons he has learned in his career is surprisingly simple: focus on your own progress.
“The best advice I’ve received is to run your own race,” he says. While it is tempting to compare your achievements with others, he believes that the real benchmark should be your own growth over time. “Continue to strive for continuous improvement versus trying to always measure against other people’s achievements.”
Building a career through continuous improvement
Labay’s career reflects that philosophy. Over the past 15 years, he has built his entire professional journey within Mondelez International, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies.
He began his career as a management trainee and gradually moved into leadership roles across the organization. Instead of chasing rapid promotions, Labay focused on strengthening his capabilities and creating value in every role he held.
For him, success in finance requires more than just technical accounting or financial skills.
“Apart from the basic technical and financial skills, it’s important to have a strong understanding of the business you’re in,” he explains.
Finance professionals today often serve as strategic partners within their organizations. Rather than simply reporting numbers, they work closely with stakeholders and business leaders to help guide decisions and drive performance.
“As finance professionals, we partner strongly with our stakeholders and co-lead in driving the business in achieving its goals,” Labay says.
Staying competitive in a changing world
Like many industries, finance and business operations continue to evolve rapidly due to technological innovation, data analytics, and shifting global markets.
To remain competitive, Labay believes professionals must continuously develop new skills and stay informed about trends in their industries.
“It’s important to continue being aware of the overall business environment, what are the new innovations in the industry, and continue developing critical skills,” he says.
This includes strengthening both technical and soft skills, as well as expanding knowledge in areas such as data analytics and emerging technologies.
Labay also believes professionals should actively seek new challenges in their careers.
“Continue to learn new things. Explore different kinds of challenges in your current industry or company and continue to enhance the value you bring in every role,” he advises.
Gaining perspective beyond one country
While Labay did not make a dramatic shift in industries, one important career decision shaped his professional growth: choosing to take roles outside his home country, the Philippines.
Working internationally exposed him to new cultures, languages, and workplace environments.
Embracing mobility and accepting assignments abroad broadened his perspective and helped him grow as a global professional.
“It exposed me to different cultures, different languages, as well as different challenges at work,” he says.
These experiences strengthened his ability to work across diverse teams and navigate complex business environments.
What makes a standout professional
From Labay’s perspective, the most valuable professionals are those who consistently go beyond the basic requirements of their roles.
“A standout candidate is someone who can add value to the role more than what was expected out of it,” he says.
This mindset applies not only to job candidates but also to professionals already working inside organizations.
Those who proactively look for ways to improve processes, support colleagues, and contribute to broader business goals often distinguish themselves from others.
Leadership built on collaboration
As a leader, Labay believes success requires balancing strong business results with the ability to engage and motivate people.
A leader must be able to drive performance while also building trust and collaboration within the team.
“Someone who can balance being strong and driven for results while also being people-savvy enough to motivate and engage the team,” he says.
His leadership style reflects this balance.
Labay describes his approach as collaborative, ensuring that he remains accessible to both his team and key stakeholders. He emphasizes coaching, guidance, and open communication to help teams achieve their objectives.
The responsibility of leadership
Leadership, however, also comes with difficult responsibilities.
Labay believes leaders must sometimes make tough decisions, especially during uncertain times. Not every decision will be universally accepted, but leaders must be willing to take accountability.
“Leaders have to take the tough calls that may not be acceptable for some,” he says. “And if it does not work out, the leader should take full responsibility of the decisions taken.”
This willingness to accept responsibility is one of the defining characteristics of effective leadership.
Balancing work and personal life
Despite the demands of leadership, Labay places strong importance on maintaining balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
As a family man, he understands the importance of protecting time outside of work.
He respects weekends, evenings, and holidays for his team, believing that sustainable performance depends on both productivity and well-being.
“I try to strike the right work-life balance and have enough time for my family,” he says.
A mindset for long-term success
Looking back on his career, Labay believes the key to long-term success lies in focusing on steady improvement rather than comparison.
By continuously learning, embracing challenges, and building strong relationships, professionals can create meaningful progress throughout their careers.
For him, the idea of “running your own race” remains one of the most powerful lessons he has carried forward.
Because in the end, career success is rarely about how quickly someone moves ahead of others—it is about how consistently they move forward.
