When deadlines are tight, expectations are high, and everything’s moving fast — how do you build a team that not only survives, but actually thrives?
Bren James Manlangit, a Certified Management Accountant (Australia) and now a CFO at a U.S.-based digital marketing company, believes it all starts with how leaders show up. “I lead with empathy,” he told Financial Adviser PH. “I know my team has their own lives and challenges. During tough times, I make sure they understand why their work matters.”
Manlangit’s climb from finance supervisor to a C-suite executive wasn’t powered by just hard skills — it was his ability to build resilient, connected teams that made the difference. While leading a high-stakes global project across Asia Pacific, he relied on one key strategy: clarity and momentum.
“We had a short timeline and a lot on the line,” he said. “So I focused on planning and prioritizing — and celebrated even the small wins to keep morale high.”
It’s this mindset that keeps his team motivated. “When people feel seen and supported, they show up differently. That’s when innovation kicks in,” he shared.
Another underrated leadership move? Creating space for people to recharge — and owning that balance yourself. “I set clear boundaries between work and personal time,” he said. “I remove distractions, structure my day with planners and calendars, and I fully disconnect when I’m off the clock.”
His favorite leadership tool? Camaraderie. “We do team dinners. Sometimes, just eating good food together does more for morale than any team-building seminar.”
Manlangit’s advice to leaders looking to build a team that can weather any storm? Focus less on control — and more on clarity, empathy, and celebrating progress. “It’s not just about getting the work done,” he says. “It’s about making people feel like what they do actually matters.”
Now that’s leadership that scales.
