On the House is a series of casual interviews with Philippine real estate leaders about the stories behind their personas. Lamudi’s very own CEO, Bhavna Suresh hosts the dialogues over a drink or two.
Today’s guest is Ryan Go, President of Grand Land. Tall with a cool and calm aura, he easily lends himself to a diverse set of people. This is reflected in his approach to managing a team of employees. He also has a clear perspective of failure as a learning opportunity for the next endeavors.
Possessing an easy smile and friendly disposition, Ryan Go is not your typical business tycoon. As president of Grand Land, the Gaisano Grand Group’s real estate arm, he plays the part not of a strict, straight-laced boss but of an approachable man who is proud to have built his company on his terms as well as created a work culture where honesty and openness are deeply valued.
Being one of the most successful real estate developers in Cebu and Davao, Ryan has remained grounded with a refreshing positive attitude about business and life in general. He is a man who has learned valuable lessons from his life experiences and uses these to propel Grand Land to success.
Before Ryan became president of Grand Land, he worked in various areas in his family’s shipping business from 1994 to 2011. By 2011, Ryan was dabbling in real estate. But back then, real estate was just a hobby for him and his wife, Genevieve Gaisano-Go. Whatever money they’ve both saved was spent investing on a piece of land on which they would build a house to be rented out once it’s finished. For more than 10 years, Ryan was into land banking and building pocket developments in Cebu.
On Failure
Like most entrepreneurs, Ryan’s road to success was a rocky one and he had his share of failure in some of his past business ventures.
“I went into a different business. It was not really that successful but it helps you learn what to do next. So it’s probably how you look at things. Sometimes failure is one of your greatest teachers.”
While most entrepreneurs become consumed with fear, Ryan bounced back with a stronger resolve and a sense of humility from someone wise enough to learn from the experience. He notes.
“For me, every day is a learning process.”
Like any leader, Ryan has made mistakes along the way, but what sets him apart is he’s not afraid to admit his mistakes and rectify the situation before it gets any worse.
“Probably one of the good things I’ve learned from the other [failed] business is that every time I made something wrong, I tend to act and correct it immediately.”
He adds, “For me, every decision is not 100% foolproof. But for me, even though we make a wrong decision, the important thing is to move on, correct it, and I think that’s what made Grand Land survive.” In good time, Grand Land not only survived but thrived and became one of the most successful homegrown real estate developers in Cebu.
On Handling Criticism
There were times when hard lessons came from other people.
“Sometimes, you don’t notice your failure or your mistakes and it would take other people to tell you what you’re doing wrong. But sometimes it’s very hard for your ego to listen to other people, especially when you get much higher in the [corporate] ladder. What’s important for me right now … from what I’ve learned, criticisms, sometimes, make you better.”
On Listening To His Employees
One of the most interesting qualities of Ryan as a leader is he has a great deal of respect towards his employees, especially those who are critical of him.
“I look up to people, my employees, especially those who stand up against me. Sometimes, I get offensive but I usually try to think it over then if ever I think I’m wrong, then I call him back and tell him, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’” Creating an honest and transparent organizational culture has been a part of Grand Land’s core values and it has helped the company flourish through the years.
On The Need To Wind Down
A certified family man, Ryan knows when to take a breather from work and has made it a point to switch off his phone during off hours and even weekends. “I turn off my phone by 7 PM,” he says. He switches it back on at 8 AM the next day.
Ryan may not be a traditional leader, but as his life lessons suggest, it takes tremendous courage, wisdom, and kindness to be in his shoes.
Show Notes:
- A certified family man, Ryan has made it a point to switch off his phone during off hours and even weekends. [2:25]
- On real estate being just a hobby for Ryan and his wife. [5:50]
- Ryan on the value of failure and how it can be one’s greatest teacher. [6:44]
- Ryan on how failure made him more driven as well as humble. [7:35]
- Ryan shares that every day for him is always a learning process. [7:49]
- Ryan on the value of admitting mistakes and rectifying a situation before it gets worse. [8:06]
- Ryan on handling criticisms from other people [8:41]
- Ryan on listening to his employees and how he reacts to those who are critical of him. [9:17]
- Ryan on the importance of correcting a wrong decision and moving on. [10:23]
Hailing from Cebu, Grand Land is one of the leading real estate property developers in Visayas and Mindanao. It is part of the Gaisano Grand Group of Companies, famous for Gaisano Grand Malls, their major retail business. With properties built to serve as sanctuaries, Grand Land is committed to promoting positive living through communities.
