A study of bridging leadership in the Philippines produced in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Management. It examines bridging leadership among religious, civil society, academia, local government, media, NGOs, and business sectors.
This case focuses on building bridges of collaboration and trust in Mindanao and deals directly with Fr. Eliseo “Jun”? Mercado's efforts to resolve the enduring conflict between the Muslim, Lumad and Christian populations in that troubled area. Fr. Mercado developed Kusog Mindanao, a forum for the pursuit of peace and development in Mindanao. Again, dialogue is used as a tool to bring diverse needs and perspectives to the fore and to put these issues squarely on the agenda of local and national policy-makers.
Bridging leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on creating and sustaining effective working relationships among key partners and stakeholders. By "bridging" different perspectives and opinions often found across the breadth of different stakeholders, a common agenda can begin to be developed and shared in order to solve social and economic problems.