Ateneo Graduate School of Business Showcases Leadership Lessons on Thriving Through Chaos at Free MBA Trial Class

CEBU CITY — "Chaos does not create leaders—it reveals them."

This was the central message of Prof. Dennis Ryan Cruz, MBA, First Vice President and Center Head at Metrobank and Director of Student Formation at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB), as he challenged professionals to rethink leadership during the AGSB Free MBA Trial Class held on July 11 at the AGSB Cebu Campus.

Addressing aspiring MBA students, executives, entrepreneurs, and business professionals, Cruz described chaos as "the collision of uncertainty, complexity, and disruption that overwhelms systems, confuses people, and exposes the limits of authority."

Rather than viewing disruption as something to fear, he encouraged participants to see it as the defining moment when authentic leadership emerges.

"Leaders must rely not on position but on clarity of purpose, adaptability, and trust to move forward," Cruz said, emphasizing that influence is earned through the ability to guide others through uncertainty rather than through formal authority alone.

The lecture anchored the trial class's theme, “Leading Through Chaos: With and For Others," introducing participants to AGSB's philosophy of leadership that "discerns chaos and creates change." 

Guided by the school's commitment to transformative learning and ethical leadership, the session highlighted how graduate education develops leaders equipped to navigate complexity with character, competence, and purpose.

Rooted in the Ignatian tradition, the session underscored leadership as a vocation of service—creating positive change for organizations, communities, and society, rather than simply advancing one's own career.

The Free MBA Trial Class forms part of AGSB's continuing effort to introduce Cebuano professionals to its values-driven MBA program by combining strategic management, ethical leadership, and practical business education to prepare graduates for an increasingly complex and unpredictable business environment.

Throughout the session, participants engaged in collaborative discussions, case analyses, and reflective exercises that showcased AGSB's learner-centered approach to management education. Instead of relying solely on lectures, the class fostered peer learning while examining real-world leadership challenges and decision-making in times of uncertainty.

The program also featured AGSB alumni who shared how the MBA transformed their careers, strengthened their leadership capabilities, and prepared them for greater responsibilities across diverse industries. A question-and-answer session with faculty members and alumni gave prospective students deeper insights into the curriculum, student experience, and professional opportunities offered by the program.

The Free MBA Trial Class reflects AGSB's commitment to developing business leaders who combine strategic competence with ethical leadership and a deep commitment to service.

By integrating academic rigor, practical business experience, and values-based formation, the Ateneo MBA equips professionals not only to respond to change but also to lead meaningful transformation within their organizations and communities.

For professionals considering graduate studies, the event offered a firsthand experience of how an Ateneo MBA cultivates executive leadership grounded in excellence, integrity, and the Jesuit ideal of being "men and women for others."

For updates on upcoming MBA Free Trial Classes, admissions, and other learning opportunities, follow the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Cebu on Facebook at @agsbcebu and on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok at @AteneoGSB. | PR