5 Leadership Traits Of Vico Sotto You Can Adapt For The Workplace

What's in a name? For Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto, it is all in the flick of his surname. Coming from a generation of Philippine media royalty, he could have easily gone down this path. After all, there is nothing wrong with continuing the way previous generations of Sottos have. 

But like Robert Frost, Vico Sotto decided to take the road less traveled. He went on to pursue the world of politics. Like any other politician, the public put him up to scrutiny. After all, what can a year of serving in the Pasig Council give? His win that toppled a 27-year old political dynasty is impressive for the then-neophyte. 

But winning the elections is only one thing. What happens during the 100 days of service? And in the years that he served, how did Sotto fare?

Before we take a look at his achievements, let us learn more about the young mayor.

The life and times of Mayor Sotto

Born to actors Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, Sotto did away with the public eye and kept a low profile. Here, he decided to pursue his passion for government, an interest he had at 10 years old. He took his vision in good measure and flew further with it. Graduating with a degree in Political Science from Ateneo de Manila University, he applied his learnings with a teaching stint.

He taught social science at Arellano University for a single semester. But he cut this path short by finally foraying into politics. Entering into the city council, he served as a Pasig city councilor for one term. But his dreams proved to be even greater, ambitious in fact. 

Just after one term of service as councilor, he decided to run for mayor. The one to beat was incumbent mayor, Robert Eusebio. He and his family served twenty-seven years. For the people, it was a choice between new blood and the familiar. For Sotto, it was an urge to counter what was already existent. 

His win was a statement in itself. If he can bring about a change twenty-seven years later, anyone can. But it takes a trait, or at least five of them to make the dream work. 

(Also read: 10 Political Science Jobs in the Philippines Aside From Being a Lawyer)

How to be like Vico Sotto? His 5 traits in detail

As a professional, you may be wondering, "Do I also have to be a mayor to be like him?" The answer to that is no. Whether you are starting out or propositioning for a promotion, leadership is important. Not only is it a transferable skill, it is necessary for career growth. 

With that said, how do you emulate the young Sotto? Here are five key traits we identified, which you can apply to your working life.

1. Empathy

Patriarchal upbringings may have initially discouraged us from being in tune with our emotions. But it was this very virtue that marked the cornerstone of Sotto's vision for Pasig. Understanding the need to put people first, listening to them was the first action point.

One such example was his call to exempt tricycles as transportation for front liners from the 2020 mass-transport system strike. His decision was made with good intentions, because trikes are open-air vehicles versus cars/buses which are not. While that landed him in not-so-good graces, he stood his ground.

How this trait translates at the workplace: Embracing this quality should be the root of your character as a leader. Empathy helps with learning about your constituents and acknowledging their needs. For instance, taking time to listen to your constituents and how they feel about a situation is empathy. Another example could be adjusting your employee work schedules between WFH and on-site work.

2. Visionary attitude

Visionaries start with a simple mission statement (or even a word). In the case of Sotto, "what change can I bring about, and how can I act on it?"

Such an example includes the answer to anchorwoman Karen Davila's question. She asked how he would spend the Php 10.7B budget of the city. He answers with a call to increase healthcare awareness and resources, instead of focusing so much on infrastructure. 

The call to do so made sense as the country entered into the times of the pandemic. His top priority matched that of what his people needed. Moving forward was what he needed to do next.

How this trait translates at the workplace: A successful execution starts with a thorough conceptualization. If you are in charge of implementing a certain project, you can gather the people involved for a meeting to assign roles and strategize the best way to go about it.

3. Action-oriented

What goes in line with the talk? Making the talk walk, of course. Sotto stated his plan at the onset. Now it was time to put his words into action. Let us recall what he envisioned. He wished to utilize the Php 10.7B budget and prioritize healthcare more than infrastructure. 

And so he did. He began by implementing drone disinfectants to consistently sanitize the city. Following such, he declared an anti-hoarding ordinance to combat panic-buying in 2020. Child care safety kits, student tablets for online classes, and a hotel-turned-quarantine facility were put in place. 

How this trait translates at the workplace: Couple your vision with purpose and points of activity. Unless you wish your dreams to stay in the subconscious, rise above them and bring them to reality. During your initial meeting with your project managers and members, you can list down concrete action steps to make a certain goal come to fruition. 

4. Humility

In Scout Magazine's piece, senator and 2021 presidential aspirant Panfilo Lacson had this to say. "[Vico Sotto] is the best gift Pasig City has ever received." Most recently, the Biden administration recognized him as one of 12 Anti-Corruption Champions Awardees. Moreover, his constituents and the public outside his city have heralded his actions both offline and online. 

With so many achievements barely halfway into the term, it is easy to get caught up in the fame. But Sotto refuses the hero brand. In an interview with The Diarist PH, he says:

"I don't believe in the concept of leader as savior." He honors the achievements of leaders and people alike. While acknowledging that he is the face of the city, he says others deserve more credit than him. 

How this trait translates at the workplace: Humble leaders know that despite what they have achieved, they know when to thank. Above that, they focus on the road ahead. But that does not mean they do not celebrate what they have done. 

Whenever you complete a successful project, doing something as simple as thanking them in a company-wide email or company-wide meeting can go a long way. 

5. Authenticity

Achievements aside, one of the things people love about Sotto is his personality. His amusing way of responding, most especially, is what enthuses people most. One example was his responses to netizens on his Christmas post. 

He simply captioned his family photo with the word, ""˜Yan." The public commented and hilarity ensued when he replied back.

The most important thing about a leader is authenticity. With it comes their ability to relate and to live a life of sincerity. Such is why people call Sotto "a breath of fresh air." After all, he is not just pretending. He just is. 

How this trait translates at the workplace: As a future leader in your company, it is imperative that above all, you remain authentic. For instance, you can start by complying with company rules or with a deadline you set with your people. 

It is more than just being yourself. Ultimately, it is about emulating the best self you can be. This is not just for you, but for the people you will lead moving forward. 

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