Leadership

John Xavier Valdez from Ateneo de Manila High School said and I quote “Leadership is not about power or charisma. It is not social class or distinction. It is not about job experience or education. It is something that transcends age, class, social distinction, gender, even the shape of one’s eyes. Leadership is about influence, nothing more, nothing less. Under this definition, every man, woman, child, in this nation of 90 million is a leader in his own right.

For most of us our concept of leadership is narrow. We are afraid to lead because once we assume the role we are expected to carry out the tasks given. We blame our local, provincial and even national leaders for the miseries that we are experiencing. Why? That’s because we don’t take the responsibility for our actions. Living in this world is not about who is to blame. Living here means being responsible for what we do and taking the consequences of our actions. Doing this is letting the leader within us come out.

We don’t have to stand on stage and use a pulpit so that we will be called a leader. We don’t have to be elected and sit on a designated office so that others will say that we are a leader. Certainly, positions are associated with leadership. But, have you ever noticed that words are not as powerful as actions?

For parents, have you noticed that your child says yes to what you say but actually follows what you do. An alcoholic father once told his son, “My son alcohol is bad for your health. Never indulge yourself with alcohol.” The son said yes. Few months after, the father was asked by the school head to come to her office. The father learned that his son was caught by the guard drinking alcohol with his barkadas. Sounds familiar? This is a common scenario in our town.

For teachers, have you noticed that students follow what you actually show in action? For instance, a teacher wondered why the students always follow her co-teacher. In her case, she always has a hard time of convincing students to pass their project on time. Why? The students were able to observe that this teacher comes to school late and submits requirements late too. Leadership then, is also associated with credibility. Words and actions should go together otherwise the disparity of the two would lead you to nothing.

For students, do you find it hard to convince your group mates to do tasks assigned to you? Let me share with you this actual circumstance. A class president of the last section of a junior class is a shy type person. Since she was chosen by her classmates to be the president, she finds it hard to tell her classmates on what they are supposed to do in their classroom. By and by, she comes to school early, puts her things on her chair, and starts cleaning the room. I told you she is shy thus, she doesn’t say anything. A classmate comes in, this classmate was able to see that their president is sweeping the room. The classmate gets a feather duster and cleans the jalousies. Two male classmates came and saw what’s going on. They got a pail and watered the plants. You see! Leadership is contagious if shown in action.
How many words do we waste then by saying we must do this and that. In the end, we find ourselves exhausted because we have been telling, reprimanding, or giving commands but nothing has ever happened. The question is, have we dared to start doing what we say?

In conclusion, let me borrow the words of Harold S. Geneen, “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.”

A blessed day to all of you!



9:16a.m.- 9:50a.m.