CEO Insights Magazine

The key trait of successful leaders is the ability to innovate and inspire. Leo Daniel Malenilla perfectly embodies both these elements with over two decades of executive operations management experience in various organizations. His journey began as a trainer in a BPO company and then became an operations manager. In just a span of three years, he grew the company from 50 to 1200 FTEs, handled four verticals, and oversaw the successful management of the service department. He also acquired multiple local and international accounts, contributing to the increase in demand for the workforce.

Leo then joined Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation as a Senior Service Delivery Manager, where he innovated process improvements for the service department, including automating gadget repair for Samsung in the Philippines. Leo transitioned to a different organization in the capacity of a general manager. Due to his successful leadership history, he was appointed as the worldwide head of operations at another firm, handling 3000 FTEs across the Asia Pacific region and overseeing the growth of content moderation and technical accounts in Taiwan and Turkey as well. When the pandemic hit, he was hired as a Country Manager at Realcognita, where he has been for almost three years now.

In an interview with CEO Insights Asia, he shares his wisdom of implementing innovative processes & more.

Describe your responsibilities as the Country Manager at Realcognita. What's been your success mantra which has been helping you in your journey?

As the Country Manager at Realcognita, I am responsible for leading a team of almost 200 employees, overseeing the company's profit and loss (P&L), analyzing and implementing process improvements, managing government relations and corporate affairs, and supervising daily operations.

In terms of my success mantra, I believe that continuous learning is crucial to personal and professional growth. I am always eager to learn and never stop seeking new knowledge and experiences. Additionally, I maintain a 'never give up' attitude and am always open to seeking guidance from mentors and leveraging past experiences to overcome challenges that may arise. These strategies have helped me achieve positive outcomes in my career and contribute to the success of the companies I work for.

Define Realcognita as an organization and share its unique value propositions for clients.

Realcognita is an outsourcing company with a unique niche - we specialize in serving home builders in Australia and the US. As a result, we have extensive expertise in this field, which sets us apart from other outsourcing companies. We are dedicated to helping visionary builders achieve their goals, and our team of architects and civil engineers is committed to providing exceptional service and delivering outstanding results.

One of the things that set us apart from other companies is our commitment to our employees. During the pandemic, we did not lay off or terminate any of our employees, and we hired more staff to support our clients' needs.

We believe in working closely with our clients and becoming an extension of their businesses. By offering services such as architectural drafting, estimating, 3D rendering, and administration work, we help our clients improve their efficiencies and achieve their desired outcomes. Our experienced and knowledgeable team is dedicated to the success of our clients, and we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality work that contributes to their business growth.

What is your approach to leadership?

I strive to empower and inspire my team to reach their full potential. My leadership style is one of openness, transparency, and accessibility. Believe in being visible and approachable to my team and making sure that their concerns are heard and understood. While I may not have all the answers, I am committed to finding solutions to any challenges we may face together. I am not afraid to say no, but I always explain my reasoning and make sure that we are making the most of our collective potential. Ultimately, my goal is to create a culture of excellence and growth, where each team member can be their best self and achieve their highest potential.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

Our vision is to expand the company's services and grow it tenfold within the next two years. While we have been primarily focused on helping residential home builders with architectural and engineering services, we are now looking to broaden our scope to include administration and financial services for our client's businesses. With this expansion, we plan to increase our staff by ten times the current numbers, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Our goal is to become a go-to partner for our clients, providing them with the support they need to achieve their business objectives, and we're committed to making that happen.

What advice would you give to budding industry leaders?

My advice would be to never stop learning and always be hungry for knowledge. Seek out a mentor, especially for young leaders, who can guide and validate their actions. It's also important to never stop dreaming and always strive for more. In addition, be resilient and adaptable, as the industry is constantly evolving and leaders need to be able to adjust to changes and challenges. Finally, always lead with integrity, transparency, and empathy for your team and clients. By doing so, you will not only become a successful leader but also inspire and motivate others to become leaders themselves.

Leo Daniel Malenilla, Country Manager, Realcognita

With nearly 20 years of experience in executive operations management, he has a proven track record of contributing to growth by effectively executing business strategies through his strong decision-making abilities. Leo is an inspiring and innovative leader who sets a great example for his team to follow.

In his free time, Leo enjoys coaching basketball teams and delivering talks and training for small organizations. He is an avid adventurer who loves to explore the beauty of nature. Leo finds inspiration in reading books that help him to become a better person and to show compassion towards people.