In leadership, fast growth isn’t always smart growth—and for Pastor Dennis Sy, Senior Pastor of Victory Makati, one lesson came the hard way: promoting people without properly coaching them first.
“Empowering people without adequate guidance… happens when you’re stretched too thin,” Sy told Financial Adviser PH. It’s a common mistake for leaders managing multiple responsibilities, trying to build momentum but unintentionally skipping the process that creates sustainable leadership.
The result? Short-term gains that often collapse under the weight of unprepared leadership.
For Sy, this wasn’t just theory—it was a real challenge he faced during the early years of building teams and ministries. “Self-awareness is crucial,” he said. “As leaders, we need to understand our capacity as well as that of our team.”
This kind of reflection is part of Sy’s larger leadership philosophy: don’t just delegate—develop. When leaders promote based solely on potential or performance, without checking if someone is truly equipped, both the leader and the organization suffer.
So, what’s the better path?
Sy emphasizes mentorship over shortcuts. In his own church, he and his team follow a clear process for developing leaders. “We coach them to lead at home before giving them wider responsibilities,” he explained in a previous conversation with FA, highlighting a character-first approach.
Instead of rushing to fill roles, Sy recommends leaders take time to train, guide, and evaluate—ensuring team members are not just eager, but truly ready. That means having hard conversations, setting expectations, and making sure team members understand both the weight and the privilege of leadership.
“Leadership is not just about doing more—it’s about doing it right,” he said.
For organizations—whether in ministry, business, or non-profits—Sy’s advice is a timely reminder. Titles may look good on paper, but it’s the coaching that sustains them.
As Sy puts it: “Mistakes are part of growth, but they should lead to improved systems and more informed decisions.” And that kind of growth starts not with promotion—but with preparation.
