After nearly two decades of working abroad and earning global credentials, Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Arnold Dela Cruz has seen firsthand what drives real impact in the workplace—and it’s not always what people expect. While data analytics, strategy, and certifications are vital, he believes one essential leadership trait continues to be overlooked: empathy.
“Empathy is the lesson that has stayed with me from day one,” Arnold told Financial Adviser PH. “Listening actively and putting people first—even in the face of complex business challenges—has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in HR.”
Arnold’s career spans over 17 years across the oil, gas, and construction industries, where he held key HR positions such as Training Coordinator, HR Data Analyst, and HR Business Partner. As an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), he worked with diverse, multicultural teams across multinational firms, gaining a broad view of global HR practices and leadership dynamics.
“Working in diverse, multicultural environments sharpened my ability to manage cross-cultural teams, implement global HR standards, and drive people strategies aligned with business objectives,” he shared.
But no matter the role or company, one thing stood out to him: organizations that thrived long-term were led by people who understood and connected with their teams—not just managed them.
“For me, empathy is not about being soft—it’s about being effective,” Arnold said. “When people feel seen and heard, they perform better. They’re more engaged, more loyal, and more willing to innovate.”
Beyond the boardroom, Arnold continued investing in his own growth. He earned an MBA with Educational Excellence, became certified in CHRP and CIPD, completed Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate, and underwent strategic leadership training at Harvard Business School. But even with all his credentials, he says empathy remains his strongest leadership asset.
“In any organization, understanding people and building relationships of trust are fundamental,” he emphasized. “Even the best strategies will fail if you can’t connect with the people who are supposed to carry them out.”
Throughout his career, Arnold led workforce planning programs, championed HR analytics, and guided companies through major organizational changes. Yet he insists that technical execution is only half the equation—how leaders engage with their people is what determines long-term success.
He recalls moments when empathy helped resolve tense workplace issues or navigate through transformation: “It wasn’t always about policy or process. Sometimes, just listening—really listening—helped unlock a solution.”
Now based in the Philippines, Arnold brings this mindset back to his local community by mentoring aspiring HR professionals and sharing insights on building people-first cultures. He believes the next generation of leaders needs to place empathy at the center of their leadership toolkit.
“Too often, we focus only on results. But results come from people. If we forget that, we lose the heart of leadership,” he said.
As someone who didn’t plan to enter HR but found his calling in it, Arnold’s journey is a reminder that the most effective leaders are those who lead with both mind and heart. And in today’s fast-paced, constantly evolving world of work, empathy, he believes, is more valuable than ever.
His advice to future HR leaders and executives? “Don’t underestimate the power of empathy. It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. When you lead with empathy, you earn trust. And with trust, you can build anything.”
