Filipinos or Americans Speak the Universal Language of Leadership

As our team going global, I was tasked to conduct a virtual leadership training to the 4 newly-hired supervisors based in the US. Was I excited upon knowing? Not at all! I felt the sprawling sweats on my palm and down my back (my armpit? absolutely!) I was busy mulling over, trying come up with a good excuse but my schedule is as clear as water, they know I was free to conduct the 5-day training.

I had a lot of apprehensions and the first question came to mind was: How does the world, particularly the Americans, perceive Filipinos? Deluge of pictures -from TV, internet, books, daily's- start to rotate like a kaleidoscope in my head which make me feel sick and thought I might just get sick all the way and would have a great excuse. I texted my close friend (so glad to have confidants outside work)and conveyed the unnerving news, as I needed words of encouragement asap.

I was so scared that I would be confronted by their forthright resistance -in any form- sover having a trainer from a third-world country -which ranked 36th amongst the rest of asian countries in terms of economic, tourism and educational status btw, and who isn't a native English speaker and I bet would have me wearing a nanny's uniform in their imaginations.

He bounced the same phrase (which I got from Lea Salonga's interview by Phil Star)I told him in times of feeling the jitters during his regular tapings for his shows: "You can't show your insecurity and weakness when performing". Indeed, it alleviated the nerves. However, I wasn't still confident and so I skimmed through my memory, checking any sort of information I captured that tackles about confidence.

I remember, John Maxwell's 'Talent is Not Enough', I read last Christmas. He posits that practice sharpens your talent and therefore increases confidence. I have been conducting leadership classes for over a year now so that must be squared away. I was also reminded of this: confidence can only be attained if you have enough knowledge. Knowledge will supply the words and believing in it will fuel your passion and will make you speak with conviction which is tantamount to confidence. I believe in what I teach, I think I am resolved.

I only had one question left in my head before I can rest on my laurels, "Will they agree with my examples (from experience) of which I usually use to substatiate the leadership concepts, given that they live a different culture?" This was difficult to resolve and thought that I will try anyway, this then would be a great risk to take and just prayed that God takes care of the things I can't control. I constantly reverberated too that I have a mission and that is to ensure that these supervisors will learn to care for their people and to work unselfishly, for their people's development. I know I only had to keep an eye on that objective and try not to get digressed with my flickering nerve cells.

My strategy was to stick to my guide and enrich the discussion with more examples from my experiences and from the books I read and more getting-to-know-you activities (asking questions about family, achievements and aspirations). To date, it was the longest week of my life. It commenced quite precariously and the fact that it was virtual, put more load to my burden. There were a lot of awkward moments, long pauses, deafening silence, a lot of rambling from my end and I believed my voice trembled intermittently.

But there was nothing much on the first day, it was more like an 8-hour introductory part with online courses. We still didn't have coaching and leadership skills discussed-in-depth until the 2nd day. Second day was comforting, they started sharing their thoughts, actively participating in the role plays and enthusiastically discussed the plethora of topics with me. There were still awkward moments like the furlong silence that cripples me down my spine but I didn't allow that to lose my focus and pressed on.

With sticking to my strategy I was able yo get through my long week alive! On our last day, we ended with feedback-giving and I was glad to know that they liked and enjoyed the training and isolated specifically to the experiences (Philippine-based experiences those are), some insights and the relevant information I shared from my readings.

I know I wasn't great, I rambled most of the time but I was not as bad as i thought I'd be, either. I realized that like love, there is also that universal language that all leaders in the world speak regardless of their environment, culture and beliefs- that Leadership doesn't mean position nor power but it is about sincerely caring for your people and aspiring for their individual success. It is also investing time to upskill oneself for your people to benefit from.

And lastly, I thank God for taking control of the things I could not control, whatever they maybe...

Thanks for reading!

Your leadership style and beliefs may be lame.

In high school, I was relieved to know that exlusive schools for girls are repreived from the most dreaded Citizens Army Training (CAT). Our exuberance, however, was thwarted by the startling news. Before the junior year ended, we were cautioned that CAT will be part of our senior year curriculum. The news was like a splash of cold water which froze everyone upon hearing.

I personally dreaded CAT as I have heard a lot of horrifying stories about it. I have heard that we will go through some inhumane initiations to test our physical, emotional and mental strengths. Tougher mental and physical tests, that will lurch your intestines, were even given to those who aspire to become officers. When I asked why, in my derision, I was told that we had to simulate the military training. I was indignant to know that the tests were so poorly designed and I felt sorry to those who aspired for the positions.

Growing up in place where bombings, killings and rebellions were rampant, armed men-in-uniform were conspicuous and one curious young mind can't help but wonder how strenuous and horrifying their trainings were. In my arbitrary interviews from friends, I learned about some random violent initiations that everyone had to endure to pass.

Why does this school, that grooms future leaders, condone such atrocious practice. It has been known that many lives-lives bearing brilliant minds and purest intentions at heart-had been wasted because of these merciless tests. Lives who might not be able to endure the physical strain but is shrewd enough to strategize and win battles.

Every Filipino know Apolinario Mabini, 'The Sublime Paralytic'. If you don't, then find at least some 8 year-old kids in your area, they are quite congnizant about this hero. Mabini was able to win several battles despite his physical constraint. His detractors were in awe of his strategies and even learned from him.

Nelson Mandela once said, "A good mind and a good heart is a formidable combination."

There are practical exercises and trainings that will improve ones endurance and strength but to put someone through a life-threatening test to profess his patriotism and his will to lead is just lame and brutal.

Those who endure the heartless tests will lead the next round of appalling initiations and mind you, the tests will be intensified, kicking up a few notches up as one feels the urge to retaliate. Yes, it does trickle down and becomes more horrifying.

I wonder why they kept mum about it? I am sure democracy is practiced, if not everywhere, in most of the educated areas in the country. Do we lack courage? Isn't courage an auspicious ingredient to win a battle?

'The Great Man Theory', one of the leadership theories conceived which caused a leader to become autocratic or authoritative. The leader solely has the right to decide and commands everyone to be subservient, regardless if the followers know why they are being tasked to or whether the followers believe in the decision made or not.

Is this the leadership style our armed foces have? I am dubious but if it is so then I will stop pressuring my brain cells to think why some of them torture their captives. I will not be surprised why we can't even ace a common hostage drama.

Consequently, leaders with x or y or z leadership style, are either loathed or admired by their people. Therefore, leaders must be wary and responsible about any word they utter, gesture they show and simple decision they make. They must not forget that they were catapulted to their posts to ease the burden of their people and to win. They shoulld work work for the people not people work for them.

Luckily, I did not have to go through CAT as I was busy with some music and cultural competitions and I was glad to know that the tests and the training my classmates went through were not as bad as I envisisaged, thanks to the nuns that protected us from all those unreasonable traditions.