Seeing Globe Anew: A Frontliner’s 14-Year Journey to the Boardroom
- Bernard Jayson Aungon
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
For almost 14 years, I thought I knew Globe. Working at the Globe Store, I saw the heart of our business every day—our customers. I felt the pulse of the frontlines, resolving concerns and driving our daily operations. But recently, I was given the opportunity to see my home of 14 years through a completely different lens by joining Shadow Board Batch 3 (SB3).
Globe’s Shadow Board is an initiative where a select group of employees is chosen to work directly alongside our executives. We act as a sounding board, bringing fresh, frontline perspectives to top-level strategic meetings and business challenges.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone: The "Yes"
Being nominated for the Shadow Board by my leaders was an honor, but applying and officially committing to it wasn’t an easy decision. It meant adding significant responsibilities to my plate, dedicating time beyond my day-to-day role, and stepping into the unknown.
What ultimately made me say "yes"? After 14 years of executing strategies on the ground, I had a burning curiosity to understand the “why” behind them.
I wanted to see how top-level decisions were made and see if my years of frontline experience could contribute to shaping the company's future. I’ll be honest: I was nervous. But as they say, growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.
The "Big" Reveal: The Work Beyond the Shadows
Sitting in on Leadership Team sessions was an absolute eye-opener. I remember thinking, “Ang laki pala talaga ng Globe!” (Globe is so much bigger than I thought!).
But being on the Shadow Board wasn’t just about observing; it was about doing the work. On top of my Business-As-Usual (BAU) responsibilities, we were tasked with analyzing real business problems and pitching solutions to top management.
Our biggest undertaking was our capstone project. My Territory 7 team collaborated to develop "Nexus AI"— (Network Engine Xchange Unified Source).
Working in the territories, which function like "mini Globe offices," we noticed teams were stuck in a data-chasing cycle—wasting hours manually pulling spreadsheets to compare network performance with commercial revenue. Nexus AI solves this by combining a centralized, real-time dashboard with an AI co-pilot. Instead of spending hours formatting data, our frontline teams can use the AI to instantly correlate network and business KPIs, spot emerging trends, and generate strategic insights down to the hyper-local town level.
Presenting this to the executives and eventually winning "Best Capstone Project" was a validating moment that proved our frontline insights had real strategic value.
A Masterclass in Leadership
Beyond the scale of the business, what amazed me was how organized and strategic everything is. But the most "amazing" part was getting to sit down with our President and CEO Carl Cruz and our Chief HR Officer Ato Jiao. Learning directly from them was a masterclass in leadership. I saw firsthand that despite the massive business targets, Globe’s true North Star is its love and value for its people.
The Juggling Act: Balancing Two Worlds
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were moments of real struggle. Managing the daily demands of my territory while fulfilling my tasks for the Shadow Board felt like a high-stakes juggling act. There were calendar conflicts, strict deadlines for our capstone research, and entirely new corporate concepts to learn.
How did I pull it off? Strict time management, knowing when to delegate, and a lot of heart. I realized that the Shadow Board wasn't just "extra work"—it was an investment in the leader I am becoming. It taught me discipline and how to zoom out from the daily grind to see the strategic vision behind what we do.
It Takes a Village
I didn’t get through this journey alone. They say you are only as strong as your support system, and I have the best one.
A massive shout-out to my Immediate Supervisor, Waldemar Ali Hassan, and my boss, Kiss Ekong. Thank you for believing in me, adjusting to my demanding schedule, and pushing me to take this leap. To my HR inspiration, Aldwin Mahusay, thank you for the constant support and for being a bridge to these possibilities. To the leaders in the territory, thank you for the encouragement.
Special thanks as well to HR Business Partner Marlon Tan for keeping us aligned, engaged, and active throughout the entire program. Your guidance helped ensure we stayed focused and collaborative every step of the way.
I’m also grateful to all the individuals working behind the scenes who made this meaningful program possible: HR Business Partner Maria Frances Armi Bocalbos, Head of HRBP and Organizational Development and Change Management Avery Balboa-Banta, and of course, to my fellow SB3 members: you made the heavy days feel light. Our small talks and shared learnings were the "secret sauce" that made this journey so enjoyable.
Final Reflections: It’s Never Too Late to Be a Newbie
If there is one thing SB3 taught me, it’s that even after 14 years in the company, you can still be a "student." You can still be surprised. You can still find new reasons to fall in love with your work.
Growth happens when you say "yes" to the things that scare you.
I am coming out of this program not just with better business acumen, but with a deeper, more profound pride in being a "Ka-Globe"—a true part of this company's incredible journey.
If you want to explore opportunities in Globe, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
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