Is There a Better Way to Lead? Why the Philippines Needs High Road Leadership Now More Than Ever.  

If you live in the Philippines today, you’ve probably felt it:

Politics is louder than ever.
People are more divided. Social media feels like a battlefield.
Families avoid political conversations because they spark arguments.
Friends unfollow each other.
Communities pick sides and stop listening to one another.

Election seasons feel like emotional wars,
and even after elections, the division doesn’t go away.

Many Filipinos are tired.
Tired of fighting.
Tired of choosing between sides.
Tired of leaders who use emotion, anger, or fear to win attention instead of building unity.

But what if the problem isn’t politics itself?
What if the problem is the way we lead?

John Maxwell calls this High Road Leadership,
and it might be the mindset shift our country needs.

Before we talk about hope, let’s understand the real issue.

The Real Problem: We Are Stuck in Low Road and Middle Road Leadership

In the Philippines, political conversations usually fall into two categories:

1. The Low Road

“If you attack me, I’ll attack you harder.”

This is what we see on social media—insults, sarcasm, hate comments, and even misinformation used as weapons.

2. The Middle Road

“If you respect me, I’ll respect you… but if you’re rude, I’ll be rude too.”

This feels fair, but it keeps us reactive and stuck.
Our leadership culture becomes fragile instead of strong.

But there is a third option — the option real leaders use.

High Road Leadership: The Road That Elevates Nations

High Road Leaders choose to:

• respond with dignity

• treat people better than they treat you

• elevate the tone

• focus on solutions rather than blame

• unite people instead of dividing them

• listen before reacting

This isn’t weak leadership.
This is transformational leadership.

It is what moves nations forward.
It is what heals division.
It is what creates hope.

Here’s a simple comparison to show why.

The 3 Roads of Leadership: A Simple Table

Low Road divides. Middle Road maintains. High Road transforms.

And the best part?

Countries around the world have proven that High Road Leadership works.

Inspiring Stories of High Road Leadership That Changed Nations

These are real examples of leaders who chose the High Road—and transformed their countries in the process.

1. New Zealand — Choosing Compassion Over Outrage

During the Christchurch tragedy in 2019, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded with compassion instead of anger.

• She embraced grieving families.

• She refused to speak the attacker’s name.

• She modeled dignity, empathy, and unity.

Her quiet strength changed the tone of the entire nation.

Lesson for the Philippines:
Compassion can calm chaos. Tone can shape culture.

2. Rwanda — Rebuilding a Nation Through Forgiveness

After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda faced unimaginable pain.
Yet its leaders chose reconciliation, truth-telling, and healing instead of retaliation.

Through community courts and national unity programs, Rwanda rebuilt itself.

Lesson for the Philippines:
Unity is a choice—especially after conflict.

3. Singapore — Integrity as a National Standard

Singapore didn’t rise to global success by fighting political wars.
Its leaders focused on:

• clean governance

• long-term vision

• discipline and accountability

They refused to let drama distract them.

Lesson for the Philippines:
Progress accelerates when leadership puts character first.

4. South Africa — Mandela’s Legendary High Road Forgiveness

Nelson Mandela had every reason to retaliate after 27 years in prison.
Instead, he chose forgiveness.

He built unity with former enemies and became a global symbol of peace.

Lesson for the Philippines:
Healing begins when leaders choose dignity over revenge.

5. Costa Rica — Peace as a Leadership Strategy

Costa Rica abolished its military to invest in education and community.
This High Road decision created decades of stability and prosperity.

Lesson for the Philippines:
When leaders prioritize people over power, nations thrive.

So… Can High Road Leadership Work in the Philippines?

YES — and the Philippines may be one of the countries that needs it the most.

Here’s why:

✔️ Filipinos admire respectful, values-driven leaders.

We resonate with humility, malasakit, and fairness.

✔️ Our people are tired of political hostility.

Millions want leaders who elevate the conversation.

✔️ We already see High Road leadership in local communities.

Many mayors (e.g Mayors for Good Governance or M4GG), governors, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and ordinary Filipinos lead with kindness and integrity.

The answer is not to wait for politicians to change first.

The answer is for leaders everywhere—business owners, parents, teachers, church leaders, SMEs—to model High Road Leadership daily.

Culture changes when leaders do.

What Would High Road Politics Look Like in Our Country?

Imagine a Philippines where leaders:

• disagree without destroying one another

• communicate with respect, not insults

• listen before talking

• seek solutions, not applause

• unify people instead of dividing them

Imagine social media filled with:

• calm discussions instead of personal attacks

• ideas instead of noise

• clarity instead of chaos

Imagine elections that strengthen us, not tear us apart.

This is not wishful thinking.
It is a leadership choice.
A road chosen on purpose.
A road other countries already took—and proved successful.

The Road Forward Starts With One Choice

John Maxwell writes:

“You cannot choose how others behave, but you can choose the road you take.”

High Road Leadership does not begin in Malacañang.
It begins in the boardroom.
In the barangay.
In the home.
In the business.
In the conversations we choose to have today.

When one leader chooses the High Road, others follow.
When enough leaders take the High Road, a movement begins.
And when a movement grows, a nation resets its culture.

A Better Future Is Possible

The Philippines is not destined to remain divided.

We need more leaders — at every level — who rise above the noise, refuse hostility, and choose the High Road of integrity, respect, unity, and compassion.

Because when leaders rise to the High Road,
people rise with them.
And when people rise together,
The Philippines rises.