Bona fide TEXT
Leaders in Leadership
“The Making of a Filipino Leader,” was the theme of the recently concluded 4th PRISSAAP Regional Youth Congress held in University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City on July 11-13, 2007.
St. Joseph School is one of the members of the Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines well known as PRISSAAP. I was so privileged enough to be part of the 74 participants (FYI, SJS had the highest number of participants in the congress) in which the school sent in the three-day leadership training.
Dr. Lourelie Siy, the National President of PRISSAAP, Hon. Badilla, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Dr. Jesus Javier, President of Bloomfield Grade and Middle School and Dr. Allan de Guzman, Director of Communication from University of Sto. Thomas, were the resource speakers of the said training. They talked about “The Secret of True Happiness in Leadership,” “Choosing a Career: Prerequisite to Future Strong,” and “Preparation for a Very Productive Leadership.”
The lectures were very informative and here are some quotes that I can still remember.
“Leaders aren’t born, they are made.”
“The five C’s of leadership are Character, Competence, Commitment, Consistency, and Cohesion.”
“Leadership is not a solo flight thing.”
“Everyone can make a difference in the society.”
“It takes a decision to love and to believe the least among us.”
“We are given a chance to be able to do more because a lot is expected from us.”
“Life is a sum of all our choices.”
“Leadership is the kind of followership.”
“A good leader is a good follower.”
“A leader is just like a conductor of the orchestra.”
“Once a leader, always a leader.”
“A leader can shine, can outshine and can give shine.”
“Leadership is not a position.”
“Every leader has his own BHAG; Big Hairy Audacious Goal.”
“Leadership is a journey and not a destination.”
The ABC’s of Leadership by Dr. Siy
Act instead of Arguing
Build instead of Brag
Climb instead of Criticize
Dig instead of Deprecate
Encourage instead of Envy
Fight instead of Fame
Give instead of Grumble
Help instead of Harm
Invite instead of Ignore
Join instead of Jolt
Keeping instead of Kicking
Love instead of Loathe
Move instead of Mold
Nurture instead of Neglect
Obey instead of Obstruct
Pray instead of Prey
Quicken instead of Quit
Rescue instead of Ridicule
Shout instead of Shrink
Try instead of Tremble
Undergear instead of Undermind
Vindicate instead of Volatile
Witness instead of Withdraw
eXterminate instead of eXcuse
Yield instead of Yell
Zip instead of Zigzag.
Although the three-day leadership training was tiresome, we learned a lot of things. People who are highly motivated to become leaders, who have the energy, drive, self confidence, and determination to succeed will become leaders because they work hard to get leadership positions. That any member of a group may become a leader by taking actions that serve group functions. That in any leadership function may be fulfilled by different members performing a variety of relevant behaviors. Thus, a responsible membership is a responsible leadership.
As Grimses once said, “Leadership is a process of legitimate influence rather than a quality of a person.
I would take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Maria Lourdes Josefina Garcia, our dear directress for believing in my capacity to train Rapunzel Grace Lim (She bagged the 2nd Runner for the Search for Miss PRISSSAP 2007), and of course to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Lim for the trust given to me.
Kudos to Jason John Catalan and Joel Caesar Atinado, First and Second Placers in the 100-m swimming competition and to Jeremiah Claudine Calacal ranked First in Biglaang Pagbigkas. Congratulations, the Josephian family is very proud of you!