Leadership in the corporate world can often feel like a race for titles and numbers. For 47-year-old Robert “Kuya Rob” Payawal, that race has become something deeper—a calling shaped by faith, service, and nearly two decades of life in Abu Dhabi.
Robert is the Founder and Managing Director of Qairos Business Services LLC – SPC, a UAE-based management consultancy that focuses on CFO and strategic advisory, people solutions, and corporate services for small to medium-sized enterprises. He is also the author of Devocathon: Life Is Indeed a Marathon, a devotional book inspired by his journey as a runner and leader. Now on his 19th year abroad, he continues to represent Filipino excellence in one of the world’s most competitive business hubs.
Finding purpose in leadership
Robert’s overseas journey began in the early 2000s when he joined one of the Big Four consultancy firms, handling compliance and advisory work for regional and international clients. Before that, he built his foundation in the Philippines at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, where he learned “the foundations of governance and financial discipline” that would later anchor his leadership roles abroad.
His career in the UAE’s banking sector spanned nearly two decades, culminating in a senior leadership role. “I served as Senior Vice President in one of the leading banks in the UAE,” he recalls, explaining that his last role involved overseeing Credit Control and Administration across the bank’s Personal, Commercial, and Private Banking divisions, managing teams spread across three different regions.
Yet for Robert, the true highlight of his career cannot be captured by a single job title. “The highlight of my career isn’t one position or title—it’s realizing that leadership itself can be a form of worship when done with integrity and purpose,” he shares. He adds that he is “deeply grateful that God has given me the privilege, as a Filipino, to serve in such leadership roles—managing multicultural teams and representing our values of excellence, humility, and faith in the global workplace.”
Like many Filipinos, his decision to work abroad initially came from a familiar motivation. “Like many Filipinos, I first came abroad seeking better opportunities for my family,” he says. Over time, that reason expanded into something more profound. “What began as a career transition became a place to grow my experience,” he reflects. “Living and working overseas has allowed me to learn excellence from different cultures, to represent Filipino competence with integrity, and most importantly to live out a God-given purpose that gives meaning beyond success or salary.”
From banking halls to purpose-driven consultancy
Robert eventually stepped out of the corporate banking world to establish Qairos Business Services LLC – SPC in Abu Dhabi. As an entrepreneur, he now uses his experience to help organizations “change lanes”—moving them, as he puts it, “from compliance to growth, from activity to purpose, and from performance to culture alignment.”
“What I enjoy most about my season as an entrepreneur is freedom with purpose,” he explains. “I get to design strategies and solutions that help organizations and people truly grow. Whether it’s guiding a startup toward licensing and financial readiness or helping an established company realign its culture and leadership, I see it as living out my purpose—using business as a platform for transformation.”
This path, he says, merges everything he values. “This field merges everything I value: finance, strategy, leadership, and faith,” he shares. The most satisfying moments come when he sees change beyond the balance sheet. “The most rewarding part is seeing people’s lives and organizations change—when they rediscover their why, gain confidence, and move from merely surviving to thriving.”
Outside the office, Robert remains active in his church community, mentoring and guiding people to live out what he calls their “God-given calling.” His book, Devocathon: Life Is Indeed a Marathon, grew out of his own running journey and personal reflections. He describes it as “a devotional inspired by my marathon journey. It blends running, faith, and everyday reflections—a reminder that in both life and leadership, endurance is built through discipline and dependence on God.”
The road has not always been smooth. He is honest about the struggles that came with building a life abroad. “The early years weren’t easy. Adjusting to a new culture, missing home, and facing the pressure to perform were all real challenges,” he says. “There were seasons of burnout, confusion, and even loss.” Through it all, he leaned on what mattered most. “My anchor has always been faith and family. My wife and children have been my greatest support, and my church community here has become my extended family,” he says.
Helping others run their race well
After 19 years overseas, Robert has gained not only professional success but a deeper sense of perspective. “Working abroad exposes you to excellence and diversity. You learn to adapt, to lead with empathy, and to deliver world-class results while collaborating across cultures and mindsets,” he explains. More importantly, it reshaped how he sees the Filipino identity on the global stage. “You begin to see what’s truly possible for Filipinos, how our work ethic, creativity, and faith can shine in global settings,” he says, adding that “beyond financial rewards, the greatest benefit is perspective: learning stewardship, humility, and how to live purposefully even when far from home.”
Looking ahead, Robert envisions further growth for his work and advocacy. “My vision is to keep building Qairos Group into a purpose-driven enterprise that creates opportunities for Filipinos and expats here and beyond the UAE,” he shares. He imagines a future where his time is split between the UAE and the Philippines: “Eventually, I see myself dividing my time between the UAE and the Philippines mentoring leaders, (possibly) writing more books, and expanding Devocathon into a wider platform that blends faith, leadership, and personal development.”
His message to fellow overseas Filipinos is both practical and deeply spiritual. “To my fellow OFWs, remember, you’re not just working for your family; you’re working with purpose,” he says. He urges them to guard what truly matters. “Take care of three things: your faith (relationship with God), your family, and your finances. Don’t lose one while pursuing the other. Build genuine relationships. Don’t rush; build roots. And wherever you are, represent the Filipino with excellence, humility, and integrity.”
Above all, he reminds them that their value is not tied to their pay slip. “Most of all, never forget: your worth is not defined by how much you get or have now, but by your significance in God’s eyes,” he says.
For Robert, every season abroad has been part of a larger journey of growth and surrender. “Seasons change, but God’s purpose never does,” he reflects. “My journey has taught me that success isn’t about reaching the top, it’s about lifting others as you climb.” Life away from home can be lonely, he admits, but it is also where character is refined. His encouragement is simple yet powerful: “Life abroad can be lonely sometimes, but it’s also where you get refined. So, bloom where you are planted. Make an impact right where you are. Stay humble, keep learning, and when the time is right, God Himself will promote you.”
Or, as he likes to say in one line that captures his whole journey: “Bloom where you’re planted, and God will promote you.”
