Regis Cebu Leadership: Leader Izumi Yamashita, Reflection Paper #1 - Defining Moments

Regis Cebu Leadership

Leader Izumi G. Yamashita

Reflection Paper #1 - Defining Moments

As far as my first memory as a child can go, I've known myself to always have been a very sociable person. I've always been fond of approaching people, introducing myself, and making new friends.

I started school when I was four years old. I went to an exclusive private school where most of the kids were children of politicians, celebrities, executives, and other high profile individuals. Coming from a very simple family, one which cannot even be considered as middle class, I knew at a very young age how it felt to be intimidated, insecure, and envious.

In pre-school, I always had this cheap lunchbox with cheap crackers and tetra-packed juice drink, which I resented bringing out in class during breaks only to see the rest of the kids pulling out those chocolate drinks and chocolate Hello Panda biscuits I can only dream of. "We were that poor", I thought, and this was my very first defining moment.

Reflection Paper 1 My Defining Moments by Leader J Aspiras

Being Proactive and Flexible

Making critical choices can be a painful experience. But it doesn't define you. It's a life changing event to be faced, dealt with and learned from. Three years ago, I landed my second job as an Accountant in United Arab Emirates. Lootah Group of Companies is a conglomerate engaged in construction, trading, real estates, ticketing, hotels as well as tours. I have worked there for three years and the first six months I must say, was crucial.  Working in a Muslim country is not that easy. I need to adjust from everything, the environment, and climate as well as to my new colleagues of different races and the most difficult that I need to overcome--homesickness. In addition, I have to learn as well as respect values (Islamic values), about their culture, general rules such as dress codes such as, women should wear clothes completely covered when in public.

I found the work very challenging. It was a lot more difficult for me that I have thought it would be but it was what I want to do, so that makes me more determined. When they tell me I can't, it really gets me going. Challenge and interest went hand in hand. Despite these challenges, I managed to overcome and learned some things that brought me closer to discovering my purpose in life, being fulfilled and getting out of my own way, and opening to new considerations.

Resending Reflection Paper 1 with some revisions- Leader Engr.Tristan Val Leonida

Resending with some revisions...

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.