When crisis strikes, it reveals what kind of leadership truly exists—not just in decision-making, but in the culture that’s been built long before the pressure hits.
For Dennis Sy, Senior Pastor of Victory Makati, the ability to lead through conflict and uncertainty doesn’t begin with strategy—it begins with culture.
In an interview with Financial Adviser PH, Sy emphasized the importance of building a strong, values-driven culture before facing any challenge. “The time to prepare for conflict is by cultivating a healthy culture before it happens,” he said.
It’s a mindset shift many leaders miss. When things go wrong, most scramble for damage control. But Sy believes resilient leadership is planted in the quiet seasons—when things are stable, and there’s time to align people, purpose, and values.
“Crisis leadership demands a different skill set,” he noted. “But more importantly, it tests the culture you’ve built beforehand.”
At Victory, this means making trust, accountability, and servant leadership the foundation of everything. Rather than reacting to problems, Sy invests in developing leaders who know how to stay grounded when the unexpected comes.
For business owners and team leaders, the lesson is just as critical: Don’t wait for conflict to define your leadership style. Build your culture now—with clarity in your values, transparency in communication, and consistency in how you treat people.
Sy’s perspective also reinforces a timeless leadership truth: moments of crisis don’t build character—they reveal it. If your organization lacks trust, collaboration, or vision, those cracks will only widen under pressure.
The takeaway? Great leadership isn’t just about showing up when the storm hits—it’s about preparing your people when skies are clear.
Whether you’re leading a company, a church, or a small team, start with culture. As Sy told Financial Adviser PH, “The time to prepare is not when the conflict begins—it’s long before that.”
Because when values are clear and people are aligned, even the toughest seasons can be navigated with strength—and sanity.
