Lisset Laus-Velasco, Chairwoman and CEO of the Laus Group of Companies, shared her leadership journey at the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL) General Membership Meeting on March 19 at Dusit Thani Manila.
Joining an esteemed panel that included DMCI Holdings Chairman and President Isidro “Sid” Consunji, Wilcon Depot CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Delbros Group’s Jose Paolo Delgado, and Cebu Landmasters COO Jose Franco Soberano, Laus-Velasco reflected on her unexpected rise to leadership following the passing of her father, LausGroup founder Levy P. Laus.
She emphasized the challenges of leadership transitions, highlighting the weight of responsibility that came with carrying forward her father’s vision. Drawing from personal experience, she underscored the value of hands-on learning, collaboration, and continuous growth, stressing that leadership is not a solo journey but a collective effort.
Laus-Velasco also spoke on the importance of adaptability, particularly in navigating crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that true leadership is not about having all the answers but about being open to change and learning from experience.
Closing her remarks, she shared a key leadership insight: “The true test is not how well we hold the baton, but how we prepare the next generation to carry it forward—and to do so better than we did.”