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12 Leadership and Productivity Lessons from This Next Generation Leader

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<p>There is a new generation of Filipina leaders redefining what executive leadership looks like, among them is<strong> Jia Du</strong>, Vice President and Head of Marketing for <strong>Chowking</strong>. Her approach to leadership is shaped by intuition and empathy as much as by strategy and performance. On the other hand, she is also managing a family, with her two kids, ages six and three, with the help of her husband and staff. She applies similar principles of productivity both at work and at home.</p><p>Since joining the <strong>Jollibee Group</strong> over four years ago and taking her current role in February 2024, she has steered Chowking through a &quot;love-volution,&quot; aiming to make it one of the most loved brands globally by focusing on emotional storytelling and consumer obsession.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779413340310Jia Du Chowking.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Leadership Tips and Style</strong></div><p>Jia Du&#x27;s leadership is centered on a servant leadership philosophy, prioritizing her people&#x27;s growth and success.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>1. People First</strong></div><p>Her mantra is, &quot;I will only succeed if my people succeed.&quot; This involves day-in, day-out training, coaching, and ensuring her team gains independence and grows to its fullest potential.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2. Purpose Alignment</strong></div><p>She ensures all work is anchored in a clear purpose, both professionally (like Chowking&#x27;s &quot;love-volution&quot; vision) and personally, by understanding why her team members wake up in the morning doing this job.</p><p>At the same time, she aligns everyone with her philosophy toward marketing that reflects the realities of today’s landscape: data-driven yet deeply human. For Jia, the strongest campaigns are not simply built on trends or visibility, but on emotional intelligence, clarity of purpose, and understanding what truly matters to people. It’s all about making connections and strengthening the storytelling. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>3. Lead from the Front</strong></div><p>She guides by example, ensuring she does not ask her team to do something she doesn&#x27;t personally believe in. This is different from micromanaging, but at the same time, requires that she be hands-on. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>4. Helicopter Approach</strong></div><p>She manages strategically by looking at the long-term horizon, but remains connected to the daily realities of her team to ensure her strategy is grounded. </p><p>“I would say the devil is also in the details. Meaning, if there is that emphasis on strategy, I also need to understand the realities of today to make that happen. I cannot be disconnected from my team&#x27;s realities.”</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779414058286482079587_18486819931021340_735995868422304357_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><br/></div><div><strong>5. Build Systems and Processes</strong></div><p>She creates sustainable systems, such as the right cadence meetings and documentation, so she doesn&#x27;t have to be everywhere.</p><p>“I have to make choices about where I need to go. But I&#x27;m confident that by first developing my people and building the right systems or processes, meaning the right cadence meetings. It might sound a bit boring, but the right systems, the right documentation, for example, it&#x27;s those things that make it feel more seamless.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>6. Igniting Confidence</strong></div><p>Her role is to see the greatness in others and ignite that. At the same time, when 23 asked her for advice to women, especially the ones she has mentored, she encourages everyone to look within.</p><p>Instead of merely asking for feedback, she advises them to see their greatness. “But my question to them is, first, ask yourself, what&#x27;s great about you? So my advice, maybe my advice is, I wish that more and more people, or more and more women, in particular, would see their greatness the way that others do and lead from that place, that place of confidence.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779414258389482375511_18486819919021340_2994963310421476922_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Productivity Tips and Strategy</strong></div><p>Her strategy for managing intense time demands and preventing burnout focuses on support systems, intentional time allocation, and boundaries.1</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>1. Build a Robust Village</strong></div><p>Rely on a strong support system at home, in her case, caregivers, her husband, and mom; and at work, which is her team, to manage the demanding juggling act.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2. Share the Load</strong></div><p>Trust direct reports to run the show without requiring her constant presence, enabling her to step away for other priorities. One example was the current interview. She was in a meeting with her team and had to step out. They reassured her that they could do it. The same goes for her family. </p><p>“Leaning in on the strengths of other people and trusting that you can share the load with them, whether at home or at work.“</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>3. Be Present and Avoid Multitasking</strong></div><p>“I think multitasking indeed is the enemy of success, I would say, because the more you multitask, the more that you feel like sometimes you&#x27;re getting nowhere because you do a little bit of this or that.“</p><p>Jia ensures she is fully present in meetings and dedicates her time after 6:00 PM fully to her kids and husband.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779414907488491456566_18497864059021340_8932187731777816588_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>4. Intentional Self-Reflection</strong></div><p>Allocate 30 minutes to one hour daily to &quot;ground&quot; herself, recalibrate priorities, check if she is on track, and reflect on what went well.</p><p>“So you really need the discipline of building that in a day. And also spend the time, if not to plan, then also to be grateful and to look at what went well, what I should be grateful for, and how I can build on wins and successes to be more confident, especially when these can become very overwhelming and tough.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>5. Define Success and Set Boundaries</strong></div><p>Define success on her own terms, which changes with every season of life, and avoid comparison. She stresses having a &quot;not to-do list,&quot; as saying no to something means saying yes to something more important.</p><p>“As I have matured also in my career and also rebalanced my priorities because I started out as single and then married without kids for a couple of years, and then now with two kids. In every season of life, the definition of success has also changed, and I have given myself the grace and the space to grow at my own pace.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>6. Time Blocking</strong></div><p>Use time blocking for efficiency, such as creating a creative block for marketing projects.</p><p>At the same time, it’s also good to block time off for personal well-being, including a skincare routine, creative pursuits like piano lessons, and spending time with her husband.</p><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Photos from <strong>@jia_salindongdu</strong></p>

<p>Chowking marketing executive Jia Du shares her leadership and productivity tips in balancing her career.</p>

Chowking marketing executive Jia Du shares her leadership and productivity tips in balancing her career.

12 Leadership and Productivity Lessons from This Next Generation Leader

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12 Leadership and Productivity Lessons from This Next Generation Leader

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Published May 22, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

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