Leadership Isn't About You: How Service, Humility and Gratitude Shape Great Leaders with Eric Javier

On this episode of The New York Leader with George Janson, you'll discover what it really takes to lead with purpose, embrace discomfort, and create meaningful impact through your work. George sits down with Eric Javier, Managing Partner for North America and Europe at CCS Fundraising, who has spent nearly 30 years helping mission-driven organizations turn ambitious visions into reality. Eric shares his journey, the values that shaped him, and why effective leadership is about far more than personal achievement. Throughout the conversation, Eric explores the leadership lessons he learned from his Filipino immigrant parents, his education, and the concept of kapwa—the importance of shared humanity, community, and taking care of one another. He discusses why gratitude, discipline, and service have become central to his leadership philosophy, while emphasizing the importance of knowing when to ask for help and recognizing that growth often requires stepping into places of discomfort. Beyond leadership principles, Eric shares how he is navigating a major reorganization at CCS Fundraising, taking on broader responsibilities, new geographies, and bigger goals while helping others adapt to change. He also tells the powerful story of CCS Fundraising's work with City Harvest, showing how strategic leadership and philanthropy can translate into tangible impact for communities across New York City. Eric reflects on the mentors who shaped his career and why seeing other people succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership. Whether you're leading a company, managing through organizational change, building a purpose-driven organization, or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical, real-world insights from Eric's nearly three decades of experience. His perspective on service, humility, mentorship, peer support, and leading in a highly competitive city provides a powerful reminder that the strongest leaders don't just build successful organizations — they help the people around them grow and create a lasting impact. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader 00:01:07 Meet Eric Javier 00:05:57 The Meaning of Kapwa 00:09:02 Advice to His 16-Year-Old Self 00:14:31 What CCS Fundraising Does 00:18:08 The City Harvest Story 00:22:19 The People Who Shaped Eric's Leadership 00:26:27 Why Leadership Can Feel Lonely 00:27:26 The Power of Peer Advisory Groups 00:29:26 The Legacy Eric Hopes to Leave 00:30:58 What It Takes to Lead in New York 00:33:53 Connecting With Eric Javier 00:34:25 Final Thoughts If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The New York Leader for more conversations with founders, CEOs, investors, and business leaders sharing real-world insights on leadership, growth, and entrepreneurship. Connect with George Janson! LinkedIn:   / georgejanson   Vistage: https://app.vistage.com/sites/s/chair... 🎯 Take Action & Connect with Eric Javier Inspired by Eric's approach to leadership? Think about one area of your leadership where you could embrace more discomfort, ask for help, or create more opportunities for others to grow. Connect with Eric Javier Website: https://www.ccsfundraising.com/people... LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericjavier 💡 Action Tip: The next time you face a difficult leadership challenge, don't automatically try to solve it alone. Ask yourself: Who has a perspective, experience, or strength that I don't have? Great leadership isn't about having every answer — it’s about knowing when to seek perspective, empowering others, and continuing to grow.