From Corporate Leader to Corporate Mentalist: A Journey of Innovation in Employee Engagement

In Manila, a bustling economic hub that pulsates with the vibrant energy of a burgeoning corporate landscape, business leaders face a myriad of challenges in fostering a culture of continuous development and engagement among their teams. My journey through the heart of the corporate world in Manila, from heading Lazada's business development and product teams to leading strategy and analytics at Honestbee, and finally steering business units at Seek Asia, has afforded me a panoramic view of the professional ecosystem. Throughout this journey, one of the glaring challenges I consistently encountered was the stark limitation in options for effective employee engagement and training—an issue that seems to be woven into the fabric of the Philippines' corporate infrastructure.

This deficiency is not just a local peculiarity but a pervasive issue that affects many organizations across the nation. Despite the Philippines' rapid economic growth and its emergence as a Southeast Asian economic powerhouse, there remains a conspicuous gap in structured, innovative, and effective employee engagement programs. Traditionally, corporations in the region have leaned on conventional training methods, which often lack creativity and fail to stimulate intellectual and emotional investment from employees. As a business leader navigating this landscape, the paucity of dynamic engagement solutions was not just apparent; it was a recurrent theme that begged for a solution.

Transitioning from a traditional corporate role into a more unconventional career as a mentalist and magician for large corporations, I have come to view this gap not just as a challenge, but as a unique opportunity to redefine employee engagement. Today, I blend magic, mentalism, and strategic communication to create immersive experiences that captivate and educate corporate audiences. This pivot in my career was inspired partly by the stark engagement deficiencies I observed during my tenure in corporate leadership.

Magic and mentalism, often perceived merely as entertainment, hold profound potential in fostering team-building, creativity, and enhanced communication skills among professionals. Incorporating these elements into corporate training and engagement strategies provides a fresh perspective that challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of conventional employee development methods. The interactive nature of magic and mentalism not only breaks the ice but also builds bridges between team members, encouraging a collaborative and innovative work environment.

The relevance of such innovative engagement strategies has become even more pronounced in the current global landscape, where companies worldwide are grappling with the challenges posed by remote work and digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for companies to adopt more flexible and creative approaches to maintain employee engagement in a predominantly virtual environment. The Philippines, with its significant number of offshore and remote workforces, is particularly poised to benefit from such innovative engagement practices.

As corporations in the Philippines and around the world continue to evolve, the demand for dynamic and innovative employee engagement solutions is set to increase. Business leaders are recognizing the importance of investing in creative engagement and training programs that not only enhance skill but also boost morale and foster a resilient corporate culture. My journey from a business leader to a mentalist and magician is a testament to the transformative power of looking beyond the conventional, exploring untapped potential, and leading with creativity.

In conclusion, the transition from being at the forefront of corporate strategy to mesmerizing audiences with the art of mentalism and magic symbolizes more than just a career shift. It reflects a deeper understanding of the intrinsic needs of the modern workforce and a commitment to addressing these needs through innovative, engaging, and impactful methods. As both a practitioner and a former corporate leader, I see this as a fundamental evolution in how we approach professional development—a shift that is not only necessary but long overdue in the Philippines' corporate sector.