Asenso Tayo, Leaders!

We’re back with Adrian Ding, CEO of Maximum Impact Philippines! Part 1 episode with Adrian he painted an inspiring vision of what great leadership looks like and why Filipinos are uniquely equipped given the natural virtues and values that Filipinos may not even realise.  Now for Part 2, we get practical. This is where Michael and Adrian roll up their sleeves to talk about the inner work of leadership tackling: self-limiting beliefs, choosing the right circle of influence, understanding your inner critic & inner coach and embracing the power of vulnerability.  There are more Adrian Ding stories, like moments from his youth, his mistakes, his turning points and there’s an opportunity for you to see a different side of him, he does something in this episode that he has NEVER done on a podcast before. You wouldn’t want to miss it.  Honest, generous, vulnerable, and full leadership steps you can take today!  Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this episode of Asenso Tayo Leaders, Michael sits down with Adrian Ding, CEO and head coach of Maximum Impact Philippines, for a powerful and energizing conversation about what leadership truly means today. Fresh from facilitating a 2-day workshop with our 5 ELK leaders, Adrian brings the same clarity, depth, and heart that have made him one of the most sought‑after leadership trainers in the Philippines. He breaks down how leadership is rapidly evolving and exactly what today’s leaders need to build to stay relevant, effective, and future‑ready. But hey, here’s where the conversation becomes game‑changing for listeners: Adrian reveals why Filipinos are uniquely & naturally positioned in the global leadership landscape. From cultural warmth and resilience to emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a deep sense of community, Adrian explains how these Filipino virtues aren’t just nice-to-haves...they’re the exact qualities modern organizations around the world are actively on the look out for.  Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will give you a clearer vision - it's rich, heartfelt, and overflowing with insights that will challenge you to see yourself & your future differently. One of the most value‑packed conversations we've had, dnd the best part? This is only Part 1, so keep an eye out for Part 2! Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

The Deck of Hearts creates space for openness, reflection, and conversations that go a little deeper. In this episode of Asenso Tayo Leaders, it’s Michael’s turn to be in the hotseat. Michael shares stories from early in his career, chasing the “right” path, ticking the boxes, and realising much later that he was playing a game he didn’t actually want to win. Michael reflects on playing it safe early in his career, following the path that looked right on paper, and the moment he realised he was playing a game he didn’t actually want to win. This episode explores playing the wrong game, finding clarity through action, and the need to regularly recalibrate your leadership. Michael also reflects on losing confidence when his strengths weren’t being used, and why excitement for the future became an important signal. It’s a side of his journey that people don’t often see, and it shows the reality behind leadership that can sometimes look easy from the outside.‘Screw Work, Let’s Play’ by John Williams: https://www.amazon.com.au/Screw-Work-Lets-Play-What/dp/0273730932 Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you’re curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this episode of Asenso Tayo, Leaders, we sit down with someone whose life’s work has touched millions….we have Masami Sato, founder of B1G1! Masami shares the heart behind B1G1 and why she believes that small, thoughtful actions can transform & pollinate the good from organisation then out to the world…how generosity can be woven into the core of an organisation’s culture, and why grounding our work in purpose is transformative. We also happily talk about the shared commitment between B1G1 and 5 ELK, and how 5 ELK Tribe has contributed to 57,000 days of shelter and how all this sums up our mission to uplift more people and support the spark around more “butterfly moments,” and create greater impact together. If you would like to learn more about to B1G1, check them out here: https://b1g1.com/, it would be great for you to get a chance to see the Masami and the B1G1 team in action! And whilst you are at it, you can grab a copy Masami Sato’s Books: https://www.masamisato.com/books ‘Legacy — The Sustainable Development Goals in Action’‘Giving Business — Creating the Maximum Impact in a Meaning-Driven World’‘Better Business, Better Life, Better World — The Movement’ And.. we are thrilled to share a very special sneak peek as Masami gives us a preview of her upcoming JOY book!! Can’t wait for you to get your hands on the first copies as soon as this is released, oh you got the firsthand intel to this!! Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

We are thrilled to introduce a new kind of episode, something a little different, a little deeper and in a form of a game.At first, in the phases of planning, we called it “Fail Forward”, but it didn’t quite capture the heart of what we were going for. So, we’ve renamed it: The Deck of Hearts.In The Deck of Hearts, we envisage to have a literal deck of cards, each one holding a question designed to go beyond the surface. They are the kind of questions that invite honesty, vulnerability, and reflection. In this two part episode, Maria draws a 'card' that opens the door to one of the most defining moments in her early leadership journey. It’s a story that shaped how she leads today and one that might just resonate with anyone who's ever faced a similar struggle and turning point in their career.Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

We’re back with Charm Melhem for Part 2 and this one dives even deeper. Charm talks about what it truly means to lead with transparency not just upward to your leaders, but across to your team. She shares how she stays grounded during those uncomfortable conversations, choosing empathy and learning to pause, breathe, and see things from the other person’s lens. You will also hear her powerful take on accountability, her own ongoing personal growth why she doesn’t see others as competition, and how her real challenge is to outgrow the version of herself. And because it wouldn’t be Tales from the Trail without a little fun... stick around till the end for a special surprise! Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this two-part episode of Tales from the Trail, we sit down with Charm Melhem, a proud Filipino leader and one of the driving forces behind Pivot Wealth, one of Australia’s most awarded Financial Planning businesses.  In Part 1, Charm shares her story success story from a Client Service Administrator role levitating to a well rounded Leader. She shares the strength in self awareness, the impact of honesty in communication and touches bit and pieces of the Filipino culture that you would definitely want to hear about. Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In Part 2 of our conversation with James Thompson, he reminds us that true leadership stems from the heart, through being present, uplifting others, and staying grounded, regardless of how high one climbs.This episode is filled with honest reflections, humor, and moments that reveal the person behind the airwaves, which made the entire conversation even more memorable.Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this two-part episode of our 'Tales from the Trail', we interview James Thompson.We sit down with James Thompson, an inspiring executive whose leadership journey spans government, tourism, aged care, agribusiness, and the IT-BPM industry. James talks about his journey in navigating through personal and professional challenges.Now based in the Philippines as Executive Director at WrkPod, James shares what drew him to Dumaguete, the “lightning in a jar” magic he’s found in Filipino culture, and how WrkPod’s mission connects deeply with his values. He also opens up about the power of coaching and why leadership is about being present in the moment.Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this episode, we explore the questions raised after Asenso Tayo Leadership Masterclass held at 5 ELK HQ in Cebu. Join us at our 'Ask us Anything' session, as we unpack insights, clarify leadership concepts, and provide practical takeaways.If you sent in a question, this episode is especially for you, but trust us, there’s something valuable here for everyone.

In this 'Tales from the Trail' episode, we interview NJ Labuca.  NJ, one of the passionate Kickstarter Trainers at 5 ELK, joins us in this episode to share his inspiring career journey, from his early days at 5 ELK to the significant moments that motivated him to step up and level up. Our conversation was also directed into the transformative power of validation, how this shaped NJ’s growth, and the meaningful ways he now channels that experience to support and uplift the team members he mentors at 5 ELK.  Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com

In this 'Tales from the Trail' episode of Asenso Tayo, Leaders, we interview Roy Espinosa.  Roy Espinosa, the People and Culture Manager at 5 ELK, shares his journey from a BPO call center agent to a trainer, and ultimately to a pivotal leadership role at 5 ELK, managing a team amidst rapid company growth. Roy goes deep into the challenges he faced, the growth he experienced, and the path that led him to where he is today.  We explored the topic of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and how shifting your focus from self-doubt to intentional, empowering thoughts can make a powerful difference. Instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings, we drilled into emphasizing the value of recognising progress that supports continuous growth in leadership.  Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com 

In this premiere episode of Asenso Tayo Leaders, hosts Michael and Maria dive into a chat about how to effectively manage conversations when communicating changes as a leader including the mindset needed to lead during times of transition. Asenso Tayo, Leaders is brought to you by 5 ELK, a team who helps great businesses build great offshore teams. If you're curious about what we do or what it’s like to work with us, you’ll find everything you need at https://www.5elk.com 

Asenso Tayo, Leaders is a podcast for Pinoy leaders who want to find ways to lead better, but are still figuring it out. It’s brought to you by award-winning offshoring business, 5 ELK.  Through honest conversations and real stories, we help take the messiness and self-doubt out of your leadership.  Whether you’re leading for the first time or trying to lead better, this is a space for thinking, reflecting, trying… and then trying again.  You don’t have to have it all worked out. Just keep taking the next step.Asenso Tayo, Leaders!