On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Davao Bloggers Society (DBS), in partnership with the SOX Bloggers, convened its officers for an intensive leadership bootcamp entitled, “Beyond the Hashtags: Leadership for Social Media Professionals” at the Meeting Grounds Cafe. Sponsored by Hop Inn Hotels (covering speaker accommodations) and MAC Consultancy, the day-long workshop empowered the next generation of digital influencers with the tools to lead both online and offline communities.
Bridging Content and Community Leadership
As blogging evolves from personal journaling to professional influence, the need for strong leadership frameworks becomes crucial. The workshop challenged the current DBS officers to move beyond content creation and embrace roles as community catalysts. Through interactive assessments and expert-led modules, they discovered how to harness their natural strengths and channel them into organizational growth.
“I have been an officer for five years now, but due to the pandemic and organizational budget constraints, I didn’t go through workshops that previous officers had before my first DBS leadership stint—as Content Director, VP for External Affairs, and now as the incumbent Secretary. Hence, I’m incredibly grateful that the opportunity finally came, and even more so because it was facilitated by the brilliant minds behind MAC Consultancy. The workshop was both stimulating and transformative. MAC Consultancy delivered an advanced briefing on leadership styles, conflict management, and motivation, which are perfectly aligned with the evolving needs of DBS and its growing community,” NeP-C Ledesma, DBS Secretary, shared.
A Deep Dive: What the DBS Officers Learned
In the first module on Leadership Perspective and Styles, SOX Bloggers Society President Ariel Lalisan of Living in South PH guided DBS officers through a DISC personality assessment and reflected on how these traits shape their approach to leadership and team dynamics. This self-awareness exercise helped officers understand how their unique strengths contribute to the team. By mapping their profiles against DBS’s current strategic needs, they identified a key opportunity: the need for more coaching-style leaders who can mentor emerging bloggers.
The second session on Conflict Management was led by Chiclet Rillo, SOX Bloggers Society VP for Internal Affairs and creator of Chix and Tell. Her talk focused on turning interpersonal tension into organizational transformation. DBS officers explored five core conflict-management styles: avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Chiclet highlighted the strengths and pitfalls of each approach, encouraging officers to reflect on their default responses. Through her facilitation, they learned that shifting from “alpha” tendencies to collaborative problem-solving can strengthen relationships and foster innovation.
“Conflict isn’t a setback, it’s a sign you’re pushing boundaries,” noted Miss Chiclet. “When managed well, disagreement becomes the spark for creativity and deeper cohesion.”
Finally, in the Motivation module, SOX Bloggers Society VP for External Affairs Michael “Manay” Carbon introduced officers to the core psychological elements of motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity. He also explored the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and emphasized the importance of aligning leadership goals with personal purpose. The session culminated in a goal-setting workshop where each officer committed to three forward-looking initiatives—ranging from mentorship programs to community outreach—anchored in measurable milestones and the shared vision of DBS.
MAC Consultancy: Powering Purpose-Driven Training
MAC Consultancy is the latest venture founded by Michael “Manay” Carbon, Ariel Lalisan, and Chiclet Rillo, dedicated to providing training in organizational leadership and efficiency, team building, and personality development. With over 15 years of combined experience in event management and a strong background in social media marketing, the trio seamlessly integrates their expertise to deliver dynamic and results-driven programs.
“At MAC Consultancy, we are passionate about empowering social media professionals with leadership skills that drive real impact. Through our experience in event management and digital marketing, we’re excited to help communities like the Davao Bloggers Society grow and lead with purpose, “said Ariel Lalisan, Co-Proprietor
Beyond the Hashtags: Leadership for Social Media Professionals equipped the DBS officers with deeper self-awareness and practical leadership skills, and ignited a renewed sense of purpose among the team. As DBS continues to evolve, events like this ensure that its leaders remain adaptable, aligned, and ready to elevate both their influence and the collective impact of the blogging community in Davao and beyond.
