Perfection might seem like the gold standard in hospitality, but for Deborah Charisse Jagodilla, Certified Hospitality Professional, one of the most valuable leadership lessons she’s learned is that true growth happens when people are free to learn without the burden of having to be flawless from the start.
“An educator is a leader that forms its learners by accepting his or her own limitations, flaws, and imperfections,” she says. “In that way they (students) can be free from thinking that in order to learn one must be perfect.”
Why Imperfection Builds Stronger Teams
Jagodilla believes that when leaders are open about their own shortcomings, they create space for others to experiment, make mistakes, and improve. In the hospitality industry, where high standards and rapid problem-solving are the norm, this mindset can help employees build resilience and confidence.
Tough Decisions That Shape Careers
Her philosophy is tested most when evaluating performance. “The hardest decision I have to make as an educator is to rate my students or subordinates. Sometimes, I need to give a poor rating in order to make them understand that it is not simply about passing or getting a job, but most importantly it is the drive to change the Filipino society’s condition.”
Her goal is not to discourage but to inspire ambition and purpose. “We can be at par from other nationalities only that we weren’t able to open our eyes of our true and rich identity.”
Pro tip: Constructive feedback—especially when it’s difficult—can be the push someone needs to reach their potential.
Balancing Goals and Well-Being
“It is not easy to get things done in the organization therefore I take each day as one step-at-a-time; remembering that I am working with people not robots,” she explains.
She makes responsibilities clear, holds people accountable, and ensures they understand their role in the bigger mission—without sacrificing their personal well-being.
Teaching and Leading Are the Same Mission
For Jagodilla, there’s little difference between being a teacher and being a hospitality leader. Both require empathy, adaptability, and the ability to see potential in others before they see it themselves. By modeling vulnerability and purpose, she inspires those she leads to grow into leaders themselves.
Lesson: The most effective leaders in hospitality aren’t the ones who demand perfection from day one—they’re the ones who guide their teams toward it, knowing the journey will involve challenges, mistakes, and growth.
