What makes a great leader? On the surface, the answer might seem simple—guiding teams and making big decisions. But real leadership goes deeper. It comes down to how leaders empower those around them, adapt to change, and create space for everyone to thrive.
At Capital One Philippines, Jeck Arzadon, Rei Parina, and Jenie Marie Lago help nurture this continuous culture of growth every day. Combining deep technical competence with genuine character, they focus on building trust, fostering open communication, and helping their teams grow both personally and professionally.
Here’s how these leaders are driving growth, staying grounded, and guiding their teams through the evolving landscape of tech and AI.
Finding the right balance
For Jeck, an Operations Unit Manager, a culture of growth starts with leaders who create opportunities for people to learn and ask questions.
“Leadership is about helping the team get to the right answer together. I like to give people the opportunity to figure things out instead of always giving them the answers. For me, that's part of developing people and helping them build confidence.”
This developmental mindset goes hand-in-hand with intellectual humility. Jeck actively seeks out diverse viewpoints to refine how they work.
“Working at Capital One Philippines has taught me to be more open to different ways of thinking. There have been many opportunities where I thought I knew how something should be done, but someone else brought a different perspective that improved the solution. Capital One taught me not to be afraid to ask questions or challenge the way we've always done things.”
When it comes to emerging technologies like AI, Jeck remains grounded in human-centric innovation. She believes tech adoption should always start with a clear, associate-focused purpose.
“We need to make sure we're using AI in a way that actually helps our teams. We should be asking, "What problems are we trying to solve, and how can this tool help us?"
“The challenge is finding that balance: using technology to make our people better at what they do, while still keeping people at the center of the work,” she added.
Preparing for what’s next
To Rei, Operations Senior Unit Manager, leadership is a true partnership. It’s about prioritizing the team’s growth and well-being while maintaining high standards of performance.
“My approach balances deep, active listening—ensuring every voice is truly understood—with the decisive action needed to clear obstacles. I hold high standards because I believe in the team's potential, yet I match that firmness with a supportive environment where people feel empowered to thrive.”
Throughout his eight years as a people leader, Rei has learned that real development happens at the edge of your comfort zone. By encouraging his team to embrace new challenges, he helps them discover gifts they didn't know they had—fueling growth that extends well beyond their day-to-day work.
"There is no shortage of experiences that push you outside your comfort zone at Capital One Philippines,” Rei shares. “I think that’s one of the best things about working here: we have a culture that challenges you to discover your potential rather than just learning your limits.”
To keep pace with the future, Rei leads by example—constantly upskilling himself alongside his team.
“Evolving as a leader means recognizing that while our ultimate goal of supporting our people never changes, our methods must constantly upgrade to meet the demands of tomorrow. Right now, I am personally exploring the advantages of AI together with my team so we can maximize its usage as we prepare for next year’s goals.”
Staying grounded in the basics
Even as AI and automation reshape modern business processes, Jenie, Senior Manager of Data Analytics, maintains that cutting-edge technology relies on a strong foundation. Having joined Capital One Philippines earlier this year, Jenie views her transition as a powerful lesson in returning to the basics.
“Transitioning from a different industry and role where I felt comfortable and adept, joining the company was a humbling reminder to step back and truly invest time in mastering the fundamentals. This experience shaped my leadership style by reinforcing that true continuous growth begins with the basics.”
For Jenie, cross-functional agility isn't about chasing the newest tools—it's about leveraging core business mechanics to adapt seamlessly across teams.
“While the rise of AI enables us to process complex information faster than ever and many are tempted to jump straight into mastering advanced tools, true cross-functional agility remains deeply anchored in mastering the basics. You simply cannot adapt, innovate, or connect the dots across business areas without fully grasping core operational mechanics.”
“Moving forward, the most critical skills for future professionals will be continuous curiosity, strong foundational knowledge, and the ability to leverage that solid core to quickly pivot into new domains.”
Beyond technical mastery, Jenie emphasizes that technology should never eclipse human connection. In an increasingly automated workplace, she prioritizes active training, open collaboration, and empathy.
"As AI consumes more screen time, leaders must intentionally build genuine human connections—prioritizing collaboration and empathy so team cohesion and trust remain at the center of how we work," says Jenie. "I operate on the belief that I can learn just as much from my team as they can learn from me."
Growing Together
Recognized as the second-best workplace in the Philippine IT-BPM industry and one of Asia's Best Workplaces, Capital One Philippines knows that great leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s built on diverse perspectives, shared trust, and an unwavering commitment to helping people grow.
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