'Quamplurimi et quam aptisimi" (As many as possible of the very best)
My conversation last night with Leader Doctor on his Enneagram and his leadership role, before and after he retires makes this post restate the thesis of this leadership course
1. That it is not entirely about the common leadership views have as our paradigm for so long:
1. That a leader is charge of an organization, that he leads a multitude of men;
2. That the leader produces clear, direct and immediate results.
3. That is about big events - game changing ideas, new strategy, new direction new vision.
4. That what mostly matters to the leader are visioning and strategic planning/ and execution
Thus the ordinary person who does not experience any of the above 3 cant just make it to the band of leaders.? True? New enrolees at MBA, those who are not part of big organization cant be leaders? Those who took strama are only those destined for leadership? Only those who went to leadership class, schools courses can become leaders? Others are hopeless to become leaders?
The thesis of this course, as we have seen inn the SJ role models of Goes, Ricci and Clavius, the unlike role models for leadership, is that we do not have to be in 1, 2 or 3 to be leaders, ie that your work is to remembered. A person, who works alone in the city or the barrio eg a doctor, is as much a leader as a Doctor who runs a 200 bed hospital. We are always a leader to someone - we influence some one in our day to day interaction - the co worker, the seat mate in the plane or the bus, the co worker, or a patient, or our children, members of the family. What we do is an example, influences others. Over time, we shape the world around us with our thoughts, words, actions and cumulative achievement.
Everything that we do has value. Everything we do is valuable activity for leadership. Thus, the change for the man in the mirror has to happen now. Not tomorrow, not when you are 55 Not when you retire, when you are done minding the needs of your family. Thus, our forefathers who are farmers and fishermen and uneducated, our parents are as much leader as those who took masters, went abroad, managed large businesses.
Rarely do our strategic or personal plans work out perfectly. In the field and in our personal action, we have to do a lot of improvisation and critical thinking. And that is leadership.
The art and practice of leadership must start now, Even as a single knowledge worker or practitioner. Even when you do not have subordinates, or even when the results of your activity is as not as clear as a goal kick making it to the goal in football.
Prof, I agree with what SJ role models Goes, Ricci and Clavius say about leadership that we don't have to be in 1, 2 and 3 to be leaders. We all can become leaders of our own lives. When you think of someone who is "powerful" or a leader, what comes to mind? Do you think that it is what the person does that makes them powerful, the leadership position they fill? What if power and leadership are really expressed by who you are BEING rather than the task you are doing? You are a powerful person when you are fully expressing yourself in your own unique way, living from your values, sharing your gifts, being authentic. You are the leader of your life when you are creating your life from choice rather than reacting and living in default. We can all be leaders NOW,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great and powerful observation Leader Dr. Leader Suzette
DeleteI read the story of the 3 unlikely heroes and though they do not fit the traditional definition of leaders, they were leaders. 1st they lead themselves for others. Goes ventured into the unknown so that others may not have to do it anymore. Ricci made a radical strategy called "Inculturation" and Clavius devoted himself to excellence so he can contribute to the world. Leaders does not necessarily means having followers, we can all Lead in so many wonderful ways. We must believe that our actions, decisions and choices have value.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leader Anne for reading the textbook and making this observation. Your comment reflects what you have taught yourself. That is also an essence of leadership
DeleteI agree with you Prof that every little thing we do for others has a value. This is where I have started. I have an intense passion of making a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged and underprivileged but I feel guilty sometimes that I can only do so much at the moment. However, just like the man in the mirror, change has to start with each and everyone of us thereby it does not matter whether what we are doing for others is big or small, what matters is we start doing it NOW!
ReplyDeleteTuturuan din natin ang mga underprivileged to be leaders ie to fend for themselves. Hindi palaging umaasa sa doleouts at bigay. We have shown with the Genograms, that our fathers and relatives did not live on dole outs but struggled.
DeleteYou are right Prof. We have to teach them how to be self-sufficient and independent so that they will not be a burden to our society, thereby, making them leaders in their own right. Thanks Prof for your advice.
Delete“You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others....”
ReplyDelete― Gordon B. Hinckley
I believe that our Leadership in our own fields should make a difference as this will ripple and as we create ripples together we can create waves of change!
Leader Charm Arribe
Thanks for the quote Leader Dr. Charmie. Tama yon. We must do good for the world. not just for our country or our village or family. TMC is lucky to have you on board.
DeleteYes , one does not have to be identified to lead a group to become a LEADER. Most of the things we are doing speaks for us as being a leader. I agree with you Prof that everything that we do , we say we act influences the persons around us. There is no time schedule to define leadership. At anytime the opportunity is there and it is up to us to take it and do our part. I am so inspired by your sharing and the sharing of my fellow Leaders. Have an enjoyable leadership week to all
ReplyDeleteThanks Leader Dr. Daisy for the conversation. Coming from a real leader and manager, that is great confirmation. Have a great week end too Leader Dr. Daisy
DeleteYes, Prof. you are right, “Everything that we do has value.” I am inspired by Goes, one of the 3 SJ models who was commissioned to “try to find an elusive asset… that is, the great kingdom of Cathay and its lost Christian tribes if they ever existed”. After a long arduous journey, Goes proved “what’s not out there”. It reminds me of times of failure in the evangelization mission…of the discovery that our work seems meaningless and unaccepted, and in the end I felt almost a failure. Lowney shares this insight, “The measure of their personal greatness is less what they found at journey’s end and more the depth of human character that carried them along the way: their imagination, will, perseverance, courage, resourcefulness, and willingness to bear the risk of failure”. (Lowney, Chris, “Heroic Leadership (Chicago: Loyola Press, 2003), 72.
ReplyDeleteYes even failure is of value…sometimes of greater value.
Your comment debunks the mindset that as a leader you must always succeed. Even failures, are great lessons for improvement and being better. Thanks Leader Belle
DeleteHi Prof, just to share one of my favorite quote that is related on one of your comment above "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
ReplyDeleteChris Lowney's book site 3 unlikely heroes and is very different on how the majority views leadership is. Almost all of us (including me) think every leader must have a follower to be called a leader. But the book gives me a different perspective and I now understand his point. I have read an article about the 'unsung hero' in the office. These are the persons who get out of their chair and teach others and impart their knowledge which resulted more learning and productivity of that individual. This 'unsung heroes' never get credit but are still happy that they became part of other people's success with their help. In my case as a manager, this would be shown by molding my team be a leader and help them succeed, for me this will measure my success - being successful in the success of others :-)