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A Different Path of Leadership
Tristan Val Leonida, ECE
On my first class in MBA, the first question my professor asked is the definition of leadership. Ironic as it sounds but I can't think of any. People have defined the concept of leadership in different ways. Some easily associate leadership with influence or power or position. Others say leadership is a responsibility, a calling or even a vocation. Some leaders are born and some believe they are made. Some are planned and some just rise in the moment of need. As a young boy in a quiet town a few hours from our province center, I defined leadership as a popularity contest.
My first model of leadership is our mayor. He is always called honorable in all occasions. He is the star of our municipality. Leadership for me is equal to sheer charisma and well, popularity. He is always welcomed to the podium through a very long introduction which all his laurels are listed in a manner that people will just be in awe for his presence. It's the only form of leadership I knew. Growing up, my desire to be popular and achieve that position journeyed with me. Luckily, I have been blessed by a decent singing voice and command of the English language which gave me a bit of an advantage in literary-musical competitions – my gateway to the spotlight. My path to my own definition of leadership gave me the opportunity to meet people, to see places and to hear stories. Stories that defy my philosophies - which leadership is not all about being popular or having a lot of achievements, but as soon as I get stuck in my own corner of the world, I am drifted to my old ways. Politicians are community builders and shakers, I see them as Gods. They can build structures with their signatures and topple down people when they see they are threatened. They are the most likable creatures of the high society. They get the front-row seats and they get the most Honorable title in a daily basis.
With that drive to gain a leadership role, my talents and confidence helped me reach my childhood dream. When I was elected president of the student council and several councils later on, I thought I am in full circle and that I can play God and change what I think is wrong in a wave of a hand. Then, I realize that people are complicated. I have seen first-hand that quick changes are quick sand. I lost some friends and soon lost some battles. They say that student councils are training grounds for leadership and for me, my losses were my great teachers.
