Final Integrative Paper by Leader Oliver Pabillon

Final Integrative Paper by Leader Oliver Pabillon

Who am I as a Leader? What kind of leader am I? Am I one of the very best?

Taking this leadership course has indeed created an impact on me as a leader called to action. The life lessons and activities made me realize my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. The Man in the mirror who used to be just an ordinary leader has discovered that leadership is more than just leading people…it has to be authentic and heroic... and should start with the self. The past few weeks have been a life changing journey through self reflection and sharing of self more to others.

Leadership begins with an inner journey.¹ According to James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, everything we do as leaders is based on the assumption that we matter. Before we can lead others we have to lead ourselves and believe that we can have a positive impact on others. Leadership begins with the self. Leadership is a process of self-development. Chris Lowney² describes this as one of the four pillars of Heroic Leadership which is Self-awareness: "To order one's life". "Leaders thrive by understanding who they are and what they value, by becoming aware of unhealthy blind spots or weaknesses that can derail them, and by cultivating the habit of continuous self reflection and learning. Only the person who knows what he or she wants can pursue it energetically and inspire others to do so. Only those who have pinpointed their weaknesses can conquer them. Obvious principles, but rarely heeded in practice. The early Jesuits invented an array of tools and practices to mold self-aware recruits. Cut off for a month from work, friends, news, and even casual conversation, Jesuit trainees dedicated all their energy to a searching self-assessment. Engaging in the Spiritual Exercises was the peak developmental moment of a training regimen that encompassed everything from scutwork to begging for food and lodging on a solitary long-distance pilgrimage. Recruits emerged from training knowing what they wanted in life, how to get it, and what weaknesses could trip them up." Second is Ingenuity: "The whole world will become our house". "Leaders make themselves and others comfortable in a changing world. They eagerly explore new ideas, approaches, and cultures rather than shrink defensively from what lurks around life's next corner. Anchored by nonnegotiable principles and values, they cultivate the "indifference" that allows them to adapt confidently." Third is Love: "With greater love than fear". "Leaders face the world with a confident, healthy sense of themselves as endowed with talent, dignity, and the potential to lead. They find exactly these same attributes in others and passionately commit to honoring and unlocking the potential they find in themselves and in others. They create environments bound and energized by loyalty, affection, and mutual support." Fourth is Heroism: "Eliciting great desires". "Leaders imagine an inspiring future and strive to shape it rather than passively watching the future happen around them. Heroes extract gold from the opportunities at hand rather than waiting for golden opportunities to be handed to them."

Call to Arms Speech by Leader Oliver Pabillon

An Accountant's Call for Passion and Right Action

Accountants have been the smack of jokes. We are painted as insensible nerds, dull, boring; with calculators in our pockets, and number- chewing may not be the most exciting job in the world. Why are we drawn to this profession? What drives us? What motivates us?

In the rapidly changing accountancy profession, "passion, action and energy are the virtues needed for us and the accounting firms to be able to climb that mountain of challenges ahead of us and conquer the opportunities brought about by change. Bringing passion and our authentic self to the work we do doesn't just belong to doctors, engineers, academicians, entrepreneurs, social advocates, or artists.

On Passion

I am deeply motivated by the fact that I can help clients make better decisions. It is not just about the figures and financial reports. It is not about the balance sheets and income statements I prepare. They are just the means we use as guidance in recommending management decisions and solutions. The process of collecting and interpreting the information with the collaboration with the client is fulfilling in itself. I like the way this job gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the decisions made by my clients, and truly they have a more successful business as a result of my efforts.

As a CPA, I really believe that one of the best ways we can serve people is by helping them. We help them make more informed decisions. We equip them with accurate information so they can make wise choices including paying the correct tax obligations. That way, they get a better result and a clear conscience. And that is how we, as a community, can improve their businesses and improve the lives of their employees as well. After all, isn't that what we should be doing? Making sure that each generation has a better world to live in?

What is our value to the community?

Do we serve others just for the money? No. As Certified Public Accountants, we shall always remember that we do not live for ourselves and our family alone. We are part of society to which we owe definite responsibilities. Therefore, we shall always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest.

In the performance of our profession, we shall maintain objectivity and shall make decisions and actions solely based on merit. We shall remain open and transparent about all the decisions and actions that we take. We should give reasons for our decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands it.

We shall practice integrity and honesty, in order to preserve and protect the interest of our clients and for the good name of the profession. We shall value our honor as we value our life. We shall, therefore, denounce all forms of nefarious activities that impinge upon the integrity of the profession. We shall fully assume responsibility for the decisions and actions we take in the course of our practice, and live up to the consequences that flow from them including submitting ourselves to whatever public scrutiny is appropriate to our work. We shall never discriminate against anyone by not extending our selves to every citizen in need of our services, specially the underprivileged. We shall be just, charitable and courteous but dignified in our dealings.

What we can commit

We can commit ourselves to change, reform and innovation, where needed, in order to continually enhance the quality of our service. We shall continuously update ourselves on new frontiers of professionalism and respond to developments affecting the profession.

I therefore encourage everyone to work together, always mindful that in cooperation, there is strength, and in disunity, there is weakness. We should work towards the development of a culture of unity, cooperation and empowerment. We should not forget to respect the rights of our employees and peers, reaching out the hand of friendship to one another and endeavor to promote an atmosphere of good feeling, confidence, mutual respect and cooperation.

We have a responsibility to contribute to the welfare of our society and in promoting social justice. In so doing, we must admit that as professionals, we have a vital role and significance to the government and the society as a whole. Let us assume responsibility for each and everyone's role in sustaining and uplifting the standards of competence of the Filipino CPA. Let us be reminded of the consequences on society in any of our acts and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public order, and public interest.

I will end with this quote from Steve Jobs, "In your life you only get to do so many things and right now we've chosen to do this, so let's make it great."

Leader Oliver Pabillon

Leader Oliver’s Heroic Journey as in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Leader Oliver's Heroic Journey as in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, we have a story about children traveling to a rural, pseudo-medieval world populated both by mythological beings such as fauns and Centaurs, and by Christian figures as well. Note the case of Aslan, the lion who sacrifices himself to save the others, and experiences a glorious resurrection. The children, aided by some animals and threatened by others, embark on a search for a means to restore the natural and moral balance in a world where winter never ends and where the White Witch turns elements of the natural world into decorative objects. Edmund, the child who succumbs to the temptation is, in principle, seduced by the material enticements of the witch. Eventually when he realizes that only suffering and pain hide behind her words, he learns the universal values of generosity and forgiveness —Christian values— through the example of Aslan. The witch is defeated, and with her disappearance, the cyclical change of season resumes, thereby restoring the natural and temporal balance.

A look at how The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe fits into Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey as well as The Leader Hero's Life Story.

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the year 1940, four siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie – are among many children evacuated from London during World War II to escape the Blitz. They are sent to the countryside to live with Professor Digory Kirke. They were introduced to their ORDINARY WORLD.

Leader Oliver Pabillon Enneagram Test Results

WANTED: TYPE 3 LEADER – THE ACHIEVER TYPE

By Leader OLIVER PABILLON

I took the RHETI Type Test on July 9 while I was riding the LRT on my way from Buendia to Avenida station where I could ride a provincial bus back to Pampanga. This was my result:

I am not 100% comfortable with the Type 9 (The Peacemaker Type) maybe because I took the test during an awkward situation and so I decided to take other test some other days.

I took the Enneagram Test 2 the week after while I was in the office (singit only during break time). My result was a Type 5 (The Thinker). 

This is only partly me. Sometimes I feel like I am this Type but not always. So I decided to take another test some other time.

I took the NEW TEST (the one with 40+ questions) and my result was: Type 2 (The Helper)

Again this is another part of me and not completely me. There are only times when I feel like this Type. So I decided to take another test.

Just this Saturday July 18, I took the Enneagram test with the Instinctual Variant and the result was a TYPE 3 (the Achiever) with the Self Preservation Variant.

Upon studying this type I finally was able to relate myself with it and then on the last part of the explanation it said that "Threes can sometimes mistype themselves when they mistake the more superficial features of their personalities as indicators of their type. So, for instance, an intellectual Three might mistype as a Five; a Three who is devoted to his role as father might think he is a Two; a Three in a leadership position might mistype as an Eight and so on. Regardless of the manifestation however, the core of the type Three fixation is the deep need for external validation."

That explains why there are times I feel like type 2 or 5. There are times when Threes mistype themelves. And so finally I can say that 3 is my Type – The Achiever Type.

(SP) Self-preservation variant

People of the self-preservation variant are generally trying to be comfortable and independent. Their well-being is very important to them, so they pay much attention to their health, house and financial position. They are less interested in interpersonal contact, and are typically less spontaneous and don't show as much emotion as people of the other two subtypes of their enneagram type. (this is exactly me)

Achievers are energetic, optimistic, self-assured, and goal oriented.

Leave me alone when I am doing my work. Give me honest, but not unduly critical or judgmental, feedback. Help me keep my environment harmonious and peaceful. Don't burden me with negative emotions. Tell me you like being around me. Tell me when you're proud of me or my accomplishments.

What I Like About Being a Three
being optimistic, friendly, and upbeat
providing well for my family
being able to recover quickly from setbacks and to charge ahead to the next challenge
staying informed, knowing what's going on
being competent and able to get things to work efficiently
being able to motivate people

What's Hard About Being a Three
having to put up with inefficiency and incompetence
the fear on not being -- or of not being seen as – successful
comparing myself to people who do things better
struggling to hang on to my success
putting on facades in order to impress people
always being "on." It's exhausting.

Threes as Children Often
work hard to receive appreciation for their accomplishments
are well liked by other children and by adults
are among the most capable and responsible children in their class or school
are active in school government and clubs or are quietly busy working on their own projects

Threes as Parents
are consistent, dependable, and loyal
struggle between wanting to spend time with their children and wanting to get more work done
expect their children to be responsible and organized

Thanks for sharing this to us Prof.