A legacy of purposeful service

IN BRIEF:

• Purpose-driven leadership creates a foundation for long-term organizational resilience and credibility.

• A strong legacy is built by aligning values, relationships, and systems so culture remains consistent even as leaders change.

• Leaders who focus on developing people and shaping future generations create impact that extends far beyond their own tenure.

When they founded SGV in 1946, Washington SyCip and Alfredo M. Velayo established a deeply rooted culture that values meritocracy, inclusiveness, and stewardship, cultivating a mindset of integrity, excellence, and quality work. However, they did more than establish the Firm. Inspired by a vision of a future where Filipino accountants and professionals could shine on the global stage and sustain national development, they shaped a philosophy of leadership anchored on service, one that continues to guide SGV almost eight decades later.

A legacy is not merely a record of accomplishments; it is the sum of an organization’s values, actions, and the vision of the people who carry them forward. With a clear and compelling vision of the ambitious future they wish to realize, trailblazers can build the foundations that serve as signposts for future leaders.  When leaders live and act with purpose in line with that vision, they model resilience and a commitment to positive change. In doing so, they kindle the same commitment in those who follow.

Purpose-driven leadership provides long-term stability and credibility, ensuring that the values an organization stands for become its strongest foundation.

As SGV approaches its 80^th anniversary, we are reminded that organizations do not endure through technical excellence alone. Excellence is essential, but it is Purpose that provides direction.

SGV’s Purpose Statement, to nurture leaders and enable businesses for a better Philippines, aligns effort with impact and guides us through an ever-changing business environment. True to Mr. SyCip’s vision of contributing positively to national development, our Purpose keeps us grounded in values that must remain constant even as our context, and our world, evolves.

PRESERVING VALUES AND NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS
At the heart of any enduring legacy is the consistent preservation of core values. These values shape decisions, define culture, and guide behavior even in moments of uncertainty. For leaders, embodying these principles is essential. A legacy loses its power when values are stated but not lived.

Legacy also serves as a bridge that connects generations. It weaves continuity into an organization’s story, reminding us that we contribute to something greater than ourselves. In SGV, this continuity is expressed in the relationships we build with our teams, our clients, and the communities we serve. Insights may be appreciated, but integrity is remembered. Achievements may be celebrated, but the mentors who challenge, support, and elevate others leave a deeper imprint.

A strong and consistent legacy emerges when relationships, values, and organizational systems reinforce one another, allowing culture to remain intact even as leadership evolves.

TRANSLATING PURPOSE INTO PRACTICE
Purpose is most powerful when it is translated into practice. Principled leadership anchors an organization in values while enabling it to adapt to new realities. This form of leadership goes beyond delegation and accountability — it creates an environment where individuals are empowered to act according to shared beliefs.

To do this effectively, leaders must clearly articulate the cultural norms that define an organization. This is because culture outlives any individual leader. It is reflected in the decisions people make when no one is watching. When leaders model the behaviors they expect from others, they communicate those values far more effectively than any policy or manual can.

However, values only become real when systems reinforce them. Practices, incentives, and structures must align with what the organization claims to stand for. Policies that contradict stated values do more than create confusion; they weaken trust and threaten the continuity of legacy. By ensuring consistency between belief and behavior, leaders cultivate an environment of integrity and accountability.

From the very beginning, Mr. SyCip articulated SGV’s overarching purpose: to contribute to the country’s development. His discipline, insistence on quality work, and unwavering integrity formed the foundation of a culture built on stewardship and meritocracy. These principles continue to influence how we elevate our profession and fulfill our Purpose today. His timeless words serve as a rallying cry for every SGVean, “The ultimate legacy of SGV to the country is the quality of its people.”

THE HUMAN SIDE OF LEADERSHIP
Behind every enduring legacy are people whose stories reflect perseverance, humility, and resilience. Legacy is built not only through significant milestones but through the small, intentional actions repeated day after day. Leaders who demonstrate humility, integrity, and empathy inspire trust, and trust is the currency that sustains organizations through disruption and transition.

True legacy builders think beyond short-term metrics. They understand that every decision affects the future of employees, clients, and society. At SGV, continuing our founders’ legacy means championing transparency, good governance, and economic confidence — all essential in contributing towards a stronger Philippines.

While Mr. Velayo valued hard work, he believed even more deeply in the importance of caring for people. He viewed leadership as stewardship — the responsibility to bring out the best in others. As an educator, he helped shape generations of accounting and business professionals, many of whom would later contribute significantly to national development. His example reminds us that leadership is measured not by individual accomplishment but by the opportunities we create for others.

Leaders who invest in developing future generations create an impact that endures well beyond their own tenure, shaping a legacy that expands over time.

BUILDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Creating an inspiring legacy is a lifelong pursuit. It requires commitment to Purpose, respect for people, and fidelity to values, even when circumstances challenge them. As leaders, we must stay mindful of the legacy we inherit, the vision of our founders, and how we will maintain or improve on it for those who will follow.

The coming years will bring new challenges and transformative shifts in business, technology, and society. However, the principles that have guided SGV for nearly 80 years remain relevant: integrity, excellence, stewardship, inclusiveness, and service to the nation. By living these values consistently and purposefully, we strengthen not only our Firm but also the broader business community and the country we serve.

In the end, a true legacy is not written in accolades or financial success. It lives in the culture we sustain, the people we empower, and the values we choose to uphold, especially when it is hardest to do so.

Congratulations on 80 remarkable years, SGV!

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

Rossana A. Fajardo is the country managing partner of SGV & Co.