May 2026 Newsletter

Editor’s Letter

As we celebrate International Coaching Week this May, The Leadership Companion focuses on a theme that has never been more relevant — Coaching and Growth.

Beyond tools and frameworks, coaching is ultimately about meaningful human dialogue. It is about helping people feel heard, understood, empowered, and capable of becoming more than they thought possible.

In this issue’s main feature, we explore how coaching, when intentionally embedded into an organization’s culture, can lead not only to stronger engagement and leadership, but to real and measurable business results. Through Maynilad’s coaching journey, we see how coaching can transform conversations, relationships, mindsets, and performance.

We also feature leaders from different organizations and capacities who continue to grow and lead. Their journeys remind us that coaching is not a one-time event but a continuing journey of purposeful leadership.

At a time when workplaces are navigating rapid change, generational shifts, and a growing need for authenticity and connection, coaching brings humanity back into organizations. Perhaps that is where true growth begins.

— Coach Lynne Reyes, PCC, A.npn
Editor, The Leadership Companion

From Gaps to Vision, Imprimatur, Application, Measures, and Results

A Company’s Journey in Building and Reaping the Benefits of a Coaching Culture

with Martin ‘Marty’ de Guzman
Vice President – Head, Human Resources, Maynilad Water Services

On ICF International Coaching Week, The Leadership Companion sought out one of the country’s respected and admired HR practitioners. The Leadership Companion Editor, Coach Lynne, found herself glued to her seat, listening to what unfolded as the true-to-life story of a leader-in-the-making who eventually became a visionary — one whose legacy may well leave a meaningful and lasting impact on organizations, society, and humanity.

Marty de Guzman, Up Close and Personal

Marty de Guzman once aspired to become a doctor. But through what could only be described as a mix of serendipity and providence, his path took a different turn.

While awaiting the results of his medical school applications, he entered a leadership program at La Salle. He became so immersed in it that he pursued advanced training and, even as a young AB Psychology student, was already deeply involved in facilitation and leadership development. That journey eventually shaped him into the Organizational Development leader he is today — one who sees the bigger picture of culture-building, change management, and people development.

Marty is one for the long haul. Considered a “lifer,” he has worked in only three companies across a corporate career spanning nearly four decades — all industry leaders.

His years at San Miguel exposed him to labor relations, sharpening his skills in negotiation, communication, and human connection in pursuit of mutually beneficial outcomes. His stint at Colgate-Palmolive deepened his appreciation for coaching and feedback systems through its global philosophy and frameworks. Both companies, he says, shaped him profoundly.

Later, driven by a growing desire to create something more enduring and socially relevant as he looked toward retirement, he opened himself to the opportunity to join Maynilad, where he has now served as Head of HR for eight years.

Today, Marty speaks passionately about empathy, connection, and authenticity — three timeless leadership essentials he believes every leader must possess, perhaps now more than ever.

“…empathy, connection, and authenticity — three timeless leadership essentials every leader must possess, perhaps now more than ever.”

The Impetus Behind the Vision

Insights from their IiP (Investors in People)* report revealed one glaring gap: people were yearning for dialogue. They wanted to speak — and to be heard.

Before this realization, Marty himself had undergone coaching. The experience proved transformative, helping him deepen his self-awareness and understanding of others. It inspired him to pursue professional coach training with Master Certified Coach Julius Ordonez.

There, he learned that meaningful dialogue need not be directive or prescriptive. True coaching empowers people to see themselves, their challenges, and their possibilities more clearly. To do this effectively, he had to unlearn habits that no longer served genuine human connection.

“There, he learned that meaningful dialogue need not be directive or prescriptive.”

As a trained coach who recognized the growing need for meaningful dialogue, Marty envisioned institutionalizing coaching within the company culture. While Maynilad already enjoyed strong familial ties that contributed to employee loyalty and satisfaction, he believed coaching could elevate both engagement and performance even further.

Demographics played a key role in this vision. Around 80% of their employees belong to the Millennial and Gen Z generations — groups that long to be heard, mentored, understood, and connected with, even beyond work-related concerns.

At the same time, many of their managers are engineers — highly skilled in logic, systems, measurement, and precision. Blending these technical strengths with essential human skills became the perfect impetus for a coaching culture.

“Blending these technical strengths with essential human skills became the perfect impetus for a coaching culture.”

The Groundwork for Cultural Transformation

Being a professionally trained coach himself was not enough. The challenge was to develop and identify the needed coaching ambassadors — leaders who understood coaching, experienced it first-hand, and could champion it authentically. The vision needed ownership and buy-in for it to gain the nod of the company stakeholders.

Identifying two HR managers and two operations managers who were open to getting a first-hand experience in being coached, Marty was able to build a shared language in coaching. This was an important step in strengthening the merits of his proposal and secure the organizational buy-in needed to move the vision forward.

From vision to implementation, his proposal for a company-wide coaching program eventually received the imprimatur and full support of key stakeholders.

The Application

The program was rolled out through several key initiatives.

Senior leaders went first. They experienced coaching and training first-hand.

The program was then cascaded to succeeding management levels. To date, about 65% of section managers have been trained and now apply coaching principles in their day-to-day dialogues.

“To date, about 65% of section managers have been trained and now apply coaching principles in their day-to-day dialogues.”

What began as a platform primarily for year-end discussions evolved by including midyear performance conversations that support real-time course correction.

The initial thinking to use coaching for those whose performance needed improvement came with the risk that coaching could be associated only for those whose performance was lagging. Coaching, then, was positioned not only for struggling employees, but also for high performers — reinforcing that coaching is for growth, not punishment.

“Coaching was positioned not only for struggling employees, but also for high performers — reinforcing that coaching is for growth, not punishment.”

The approach remained holistic: combining human skills with the hard skills needed for operational excellence.

Now on its fifth year with Benchmark Consulting, coaching has become democratized — a capability intended not for a select few, but as a critical people-development tool for everyone.

“…coaching has become democratized — a capability intended not for a select few, but as a critical people-development tool for everyone.”

Soundbites of Success

“Why haven’t I been coached yet?”

That question alone speaks volumes about the program’s impact. Employees began actively seeking coaching and were told that the only reason they haven’t been coached is because their immediate superior was next in line for training as the cascade continued.

Linkages to Business Results

The business impact has been tangible on many counts.

One success story that was highlighted by Marty involved a section manager being considered for a more demanding role tasked with minimizing operational losses caused by water leaks. Though capable, he hesitated, doubting his readiness and fearing failure.

Through coaching, his superior helped him recognize strengths he himself could not yet see.

That same year, the manager earned the prestigious Gold Meter Award and was named Employee of the Year. Coaching helped him step into his potential — and the business results followed.

“Coaching helped him step into his potential — and the business results followed.”

Coaching as a Flagship Program

Maynilad believes in investing deeply in a few key programs that drive meaningful results. Coaching is one of those flagship programs.

Now on its fifth year, the initiative continues to evolve alongside the organization’s growing needs. The results speak for themselves — year after year.

At the helm of the coaching program from Benchmark Consulting is Managing Consultant and Coach, Paui del Rosario, PCC. She was with Maynilad from day 1 of the program, designing it in a way that addresses the specific needs of the organization. In tandem with Coach Adam Bautista, ACC, she has run internal workshops exclusive to Maynilad. The coaching program continues to gain traction and momentum in helping the organization inculcate a coaching culture, one meaningful dialogue at a time.

In the end, Marty may not have become a Doctor of Medicine, but in many ways, he has become a healer of human connection — helping people discover confidence, capability, and purpose through meaningful dialogue.

Perhaps his legacy is best captured in his own simple yet powerful words:

“It’s about them and not me.”

*A global standard in people development

The Leadership Companion thanks Marty for generously sharing his wisdom and insights in what became an afternoon of meaningful conversation and reflection.

A Special Feature in Celebration of International Coaching Week

Behind every title is a continuing journey.

The most effective leaders know that success is never final, and growth is never finished. They continue to learn, reflect, stretch, and evolve – not only for themselves, but for the people and the organizations they lead.

“Success is never final, and growth is never finished.”

In this special feature, we recognize graduates of our coaching programs who are creating impact across industries, teams and communities.

Their titles may differ, but they share one trait: the commitment to keep growing.

Leadership is not a destination marked by title or tenure. It is an ongoing practice of learning, courage, humility and renewal.

We are proud to celebrate members of our community who continue to lead forward.

“Success is never final, and growth is never finished.”

International Coaching Week Highlights

Program Offerings

Accelerated Coach Training Program

Are you ready to become a coach? Start your journey with Benchmark Consulting’s ICF-accredited coach training program. We help you develop the skills and competencies to become a qualified professional coach through our ICF-accredited coaching program. Build upon your skillset, unlock sources of creativity and productivity, and transform the lives of people.

WHEN & WHERE:
July to October 2026
Online via Zoom

Path To MCC: Level 3 Coach Training Program

Elevate your coaching from skilled practice to transformative arts. This program is designed for aspiring MCC’s ready to transcend competencies and embody mastery. Move beyond “doing” coaching to “being” a masterful partner! This is more than a certification journey—it’s a transformation into a masterful coach you are meant to become.

WHEN & WHERE:
August to December 2026
Online via Zoom

Thank you for journeying with us in these continuing conversations on leadership, coaching, growth, and humanity.

Until our next issue. May we continue helping build better workplaces, better communities and better human connections – one conversation at a time.

What is one thing that resonated strongly with you? Let us know below!