Impulses
E-mails and Habits
For a columnist, it is bliss to receive e-mails from readers. The most feedbacks that I have received, so far, is the one that concerns my column titled, "Pacquiao, a legislator?" printed late April. Here's one:
Hi Herman,
I understand from the article you wrote "Pacquiao, a Legislator?" that you are an engineer?
Are you currently a practicing engineer or are you retired? We need more construction than the destruction that Pacquiao is creating outside the ring.
Pacquiao has the makings of a corrupt politician and no amount of "sincere" words will make me believe otherwise.
I've learned my lessons thru past experiences with similar intentions, Erap, Binay, and a host of entertainers-turned-politicians, to name a few.
Look at Pacquiao's life...
Fathering an illegitimate child and not taking responsibility for it; Cockfighting and losing big on gambling; Billiards; Betting on boxing fights (he claimed to have bet $100,000 on a recent fight by a Filipino pugilist); 2 incidents of his bodyguards shooting innocent people; Unusual attraction for material things: diamond-studded Rolex, Porsche, Mercedes 500SL, etc. Signing multiple separate contracts of the same deal; Easily bribed such as the case full of cash offered to him by DeLa Hoya to sign; He has had so many managers in such a short period of time; You name it... :-)
Sincerely,
Toti (my nickname)
Here's another one:
Hello Herman:
How I wish your article "Pacquiao, a Legislator?" can be hammered into every Filipino's ****l head everyday. We need to be constantly reminded and not keep sliding back into complacency. We need awakening! All our talents and intelligence going into the wrong directions! We need Marcos' whip back. We are not yet ready to be let go, democratically. Democracy needs to have a mature constituency. We don't have to take away people's rights, just inject some authoritarianism into democracy, a mixture of the two in order to keep our non-thinking brothers from stupidity. Pacquiao was once loved by every Filipino. Now in politics, he has no choice but to select one faction over the other and this, my friend, is a fuse for creating enemies.
Pacquiao has already ignited it and Binay, Custodio, and all anti-GMA are now Pacquiao's detractors. If Pacquiao has repeatedly said that he wants to unite Filipinos, he is doing exactly the opposite untying the knot. I, too (note that I only said in my article that Pacquiao is not fit for Congress; I didn't say he is "brainless"-Herman), believe Pacquiao is "brainless". Just see what's going on around him in boxing... He has created a whole lot of legal booboos. I certainly want Pacquiao out of politics, not because of what he cannot do but because it's embarrassing to the outside world and another step for us downwards.
Sincerely,
Antonio
P.S. I admire your guts to "aire" this article. While most are jumping into the bandwagon, you choose to go with your own tide... The tide of righteousness!
Here's another uncensored reaction letter:
Dear Engr. Lagon,
Thank you for your e-mail reply. Also, I appreciate your patience with me, as I got carried away with a few insults that I hurled at you.My apologies for that.
I aint voting for the Pacman anyway, he is not running in my district.I don't know what he saw in his province that needed change actually, but I really respect his sincerity and will to serve his poor neighbors (everybody deserves that).
But I agree with you when you say that legislation is not his cup of tea.How I wished he ran for Mayor instead, would you becontented with that?That is all administrative anyway, neither legislative nor judicial in nature, although he might encounter some formulation of ordinances along the way, but I think he will survive.
In reality, I think you are right when you said Manny doesn't have the mental capacity to perform efficiently legislative chores, and I fear that some politicians are riding on his bandwagon and are exploiting his fame (one reason why he was pushed to running against Darlene).
Well, now I wish he had stayed in the boxing arena without distractions.Now, he has to contend with both politics and sports.I wish he stays on top, in boxing.I wish him well in all his endeavors, may Godgivehim the wisdom to see what is right for him.
To you Herman, I wish you joy and peace. May God provide for all your needs, and bless the work of your hands, so that you would prosper.
More power to you.
Best Regards,
Sherwin
This is cloud nine, indeed. Affirmation with a big A. Need I say more?
***
Leadership, they say, is an art (of influencing people). True. But, in a manner of speaking, it is also a science (of persuasion).
In my six years in the student council and the same number of years in teaching profession, I have noticed that most of the essential headship skills may be acquired, but are extremely difficult to sustain.
Skimming through the net lately, I stumbled on a mind-turning inspirational book titled Seven Habits of Highly Effective People of Dr. Stephen Covey. Published in 1990, this precious hardback became a blueprint for leaders in their quest for personal development. Since its inception, it has been a byword in every leader's manual for personnel and personal management.
The Seven Habits, I have just learned, are so easy to understand, yet difficult to put into application. And yet many were inspired by it and lived a full, purposeful, and fine life. Hence, after reading its salient points, I felt I am compelled to share them to you (assuming you haven't read it yet) for whatever it is worth.
Habit 1 - be proactive.
According to Covey, this is the ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances
Habit 2 - begin with the end in mind.
Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.
Habit 3 - put first things first.
Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation. (See the section on time management.)
Habit 4 - think win-win.
Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. He says that win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.
Habit 5 - seek first to understand and then to be understood.
This is one of the great maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. This is simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life.
Habit 6 – synergize.
Covey says this is the habit of creative co-operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.
Habit 7 - sharpen the saw.
This is the habit of self renewal, says Covey, and it necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.
Indeed, Stephen Covey's Seven Habits are a simple set of rules for life - inter-related and synergistic, and yet each one powerful and worthy of adopting and following in its own right.
(But this is not yet the end of it. His more recent book "The 8th Habit," Stephen Covey introduced (logically) an eighth habit, which deals with personal fulfillment and helping others to achieve fulfillment too.)
Consider Covey's 7 Habits as a prescription to the soul, a credo for good leadership. Surely, Covey's science and art of influencing and persuading others (and oneself) is a wonderful tool for leadership, for life.
***
For whatever it is worth, I hereby give you my unsolicited yet well-thought-of picks for the incoming elections:
Senators (in order): Joker Arroyo, Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Kiko Pangilinan, Noynoy Aquino, Loren Legarda, Sonia Roco, Manny Villar, Mike Defensor, Gringo Honasan, Koko Pimentel, and Edgardo Angara.
Party List: (Either of the following) Partido ng Manggagawa, Bayan Muna, Abanse Pinay, Akbayan, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan, A Teacher, Migrante, or Sanlakas.
(Engr. Herman M. Lagon may be reached through h_lagon@yahoo.com.)