Shaping Tomorrow Through Enhanced Strategic Thinking and Development Frameworks
The Asian Institute of Management School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning (AIM-SEELL) recently brought together alumni and leaders for a panel discussion titled Igniting Leadership Performance through Better Thinking, held at the Aboitiz Tech Space, AIM Campus.
The conversation offered more than just personal stories – it showcased how the leadership development programs at AIM-SEELL are actively shaping how professionals think, lead, and drive change in their organizations.
Moderating the session was Mr. Masaki Mitsuhashi, Program Director of the Innovation and Digital Transformation Programs at AIM-SEELL, who not only facilitated the exchange but also grounded the discussion in the principles that drive the program’s unique approach to leadership education.
What The Panelists Learned—and Why It Matters
Each panelist shared their stories of how they arrived at the decision to enter their chosen programs, and what changed after. Jariz Oebanda, CPA and Tax Lead at Ernst & Young, with expertise in tax advising, policy compliance and forensic accounting, spoke of how Critical Thinking gave her a framework to identify risks and get to the root of issues before they grew bigger. For Celina Francia Durante, Head of Communications at Kickstart Ventures, a pioneering venture capital firm in the Philippines, Design Thinking was not just a professional tool – it helped her understand the human aspect of the problems she was asked to solve.
Lorma Balangue, Senior Director of Technology and Engineering at Philtech Inc., shared that whereas before she had only done Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analyses, Futures Thinking helped her come up with answers as her company faced developments such as AI, and how it could help them remain competitive in the industry. Katrina Mae Bacud, Learning and Leadership Development Senior Manager at Emerson, humorously added that it helped her get on the good side of her boss, but more importantly, it opened her mind to solutions beyond the obvious. Design Thinking, she said, helped her see the people behind the processes.
The Road to Better Leadership
When the discussion turned to a key challenge—how to persuade organizations to invest in leadership development—the answers were practical and inspiring.
Ina suggested starting small, proposing short courses and experiments backed by research. Creating proof points, she said, can build credibility and spark curiosity from decision-makers. Lorma added that the conversation has to tie back to the organization’s larger goals. In her case, preparing her team for the future of AI gave her the perfect entry point. Futures Thinking became a shared language they could use in brainstorming and scenario-building, helping the entire team see what was coming and how they could adapt.
Practicing and Sharing Better Thinking
The panelists also discussed how these thinking tools have gone beyond work and into their personal lives. Ina often revisits her notes, asking herself which framework applies to a problem she’s facing. She quoted a phrase she first heard from Mr. Mitsuhashi: “Fall in love with the problem.” It is not about the method for its own sake, she said—it’s about caring deeply enough to keep asking better questions.
Jariz echoed the sentiment, noting that when your goals are aligned with your organization’s, sharing what you’ve learned becomes a natural extension of your leadership.
Mr. Mitsuhashi closed the segment with a powerful reminder: “Knowledge does not end with us because it cascades to what we do. It will reflect itself to more a more people-centered, more critically oriented, more futures-oriented, more systems-oriented manner of thinking.”
Risks and Reassurance
Wrapping up the session, Mr. Mitsuhashi offered this insight, “We were able to take a look at how better thinking leads to better success. Of course, all these things will come with a risk. But having that futures thinking, critical thinking, systems thinking, design thinking, helps you overcome risk.”
As the panel drew to a close, each participant reflected on the experience of learning alongside peers who challenged and inspired them. “Have an open mind,” says Lorma Balangue, “It is not enough that you learn in the classroom but also learn from the people you meet with. I am glad that apart from Futures Thinking, I was exposed to other classes at AIM.”
Looking to build a more future-ready organization? AIM-SEELL partners with companies to co-create Custom Programs grounded in strategic thinking and leadership development. Whether you are facing disruption, preparing your next wave of leaders, or designing transformation from the inside out—we can help you shape a program that fits your goals.
Let us start a conversation. Reach out to explore how we can collaborate on a program tailored for your team. Call us or send us an email for inquiries.
