the challenge of leadership

“A skillful commander takes up a position in which he cannot be defeated and misses no opportunity to master his enemy” The Art of  War

“A clear perception, the harmony of his host, a profound strategy coupled with far reaching plans, an understanding of the season, an ability to examine human factors” The Art of War

“By command we refer to the General’s qualities of wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage and strictness. Wise, able to recognize changing circumstance and to act expediently; sincere, his men will have no doubt of rewards and punishment; humane, he loves mankind, sympathizes with others and appreciates industry and toil; courageous, he gains victory by seizing opportunity without hesitation; if strict, his troops are disciplined because they are in awe of him and are afraid of punishment”  The Art of War

We can mention many types of leaders from various walks of life – spiritual, political, social, financial, however I will devote my discussion on business and perhaps, reserve for another occasion our discussion on social, spiritual and political leadership.  However, I will mention still leaders who have made a big impression on my person – theoretically and thru role modeling.

Fr. Ben, Fr. Samson, Fr. Varela. Iking.  Raymundo. Gokongwei.  Toto.  Continental. JP. Villar. Henry Sy. Juan Ponce Enrile. Reygan. Suvisco. Go. Lolo Saning. Onat. MUG. Kapalaran. Boy. Nonong. Lombardi. Hannibal. Patton. Steve Jobs. Raymundo. Mars. Raymun. Nes. Noe. Pit. Joe. Ralph. Janmar. Allan. Triple A. Dok. Freddie. Pie. Jesraf. Bernie. Hannibal. Agamemnon. Hector. Achilles. Patton. Napoleon. Scipio Africanus. Leonidas. Marcus Aurelios. Lapu-lapu. Andres Bonifacio. Gregorio del Pilar. Cory Aquino. Abraham. Moses. Jesus Christ. 

When your family depends on you? When families depend on you? When a nation is in dire need of leaders? When you have worked with people and have learned to care for them? When you cannot allow devastation in your organization? When people depend on you? When tender innocent lives depend on you? When  you have stared at defeat and saw what ugliness and pain it will cause? When you cannot allow this consequence upon your people? If you are sincere in your intentions? If you take responsibility for your actions? If you make yourself accountable to teach proper Attitude to people you care for? If you cannot allow them to live miserable lives? When you cannot allow the pain and suffering you went through to people you love? If you truly care for you family, your children and your people? 

When you realize how precious life is. When you have found your purpose in the greater scheme of things. When you have found your mission in life. When you have realized that time is a myth and death awaits you. When you have truly found yourself.  when you haverealized that life is precious and the tender lives of people you love are as perishable as the sands of time. When you have realized that you are not a victim of circumtance and that life is merely what you make of it. when suddenly you realize that you are a child of God no less than the moon and the stars; you are above nature and the sun is your equal. When you realize the true power of your humanity – greater than the machines and all creatures of technology; a product of millions of years of evolution. 

You prepare with prudence. You make contingencies. You do everything to win. Victory is your goal. You are circumspect. You make a thorough evaluation before you decide. However urgent, you will not falter against opposition; you will decisive if the situation call for it. You will not hesitate to strike to ascertain your victory. You will be sincere. Sincere in administering rewards and punishment. People will be regimented in performance. They will adhere to discipline because through it you will gain victory. In discipline, the General can devote his time to tactical maneuvers and strategy instead of petty organizational squables. The organization will be able to move decisively if they are accustomed to command. Competition, changes in the market, adversities, obstacles and challenges will come – the organization will be able to weather whatever storm and wind if they believe in the leadership.  Hannibal Barca was in deep hostile, enemy territory for many years without a father or mentor to guide him; probably, with his genius, he was able to select the right officers and train them well after his operational style.  For part of the leadership competence is the ability to judge the character of people and select the right people for the right job.  After which, Leadership requires one to develop his people in terms of Proper Attitude and required Competence.  I will always choose competence over skill. Competence would mean Discipline in a particular skill and most importantly, commitment.  Skill and Will of man are two factors that defines character. 

Wisdom and Decisiveness is a manifestation of competence.  Knowing when to strike and being able to execute with decisiveness is critical in every operation. Decision making is a process to be mastered for one to sustain leadership. If victory is the object of war, one cannot allow any window for defeat. Being able to discern the right decision would require the strongest foundation in philosophy, psychology, politics, management and a deep competence in the industry.  Self awareness is a salient feature of a effective  leadership. When one carries the burden of victory, one must have the moral, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual strength to weather whatever storm.

Motivation is a leadership function. How do you sustain the fire in yourself and in your people. When obstacles come and they will, where will find the strength to command “ Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam”. When personal adversities strike you, when in the face of certain defeat where will you find the strength to command the remaining energy for a last hurrah. Tender soldiers seeking inspiration and reason to fight – where will you find a sustaining fire that will fuel your campaign to the ends of the world. 

Emotion makes Titans of men. It is the ability to take control of this God given human faculty that will drive an ordinary men to the helm of the greatest institutions of man – politics, spiritual, , business, science. “divine insanity of noble minds that never falters nor abates but labors, endures and waits till all it foresees it finds and all it cannot find, it creates.” As they say, difficulty to man is a gift, it brings out the gems. It will bring out the best in men – hidden abilities made stagnant by soft beds and want.  To seek the good in our adversities – to make stepping stones out of our obstacles is a competence that will catapult a poor child in the province to the seat of the biggest companies in manila. It is thru the suffering and death of Christ that our sins were paid and we were saved. Indeed, crosses are stepping stones to heaven.

Leadership requires the ability to produce required results. In achievement orientation, strategic and creative thinking, these three competencies are combined in the process of “different strokes for different folks”.  The skill to recognize changing circumstances and variations; and being able to provide a proportionate solution viable to the situation. If victory is our ultimate objective, the results by which we define the parameters of our definition of victory dictates the approach. We communicate to be understood and we act to get results. If we have selected the right people for the right strategic points, we must be able to communicate with them in a manner they will understand; according to their personalities and circumstances but nevertheless the same results to be produced. 

If there is great victory achieved of the greatest leader of all times whose triumph stood the test of time and have conquered the greatest and most challenging walls – Jesus Christ have broken the great walls which has enslaved humanity since ancient times - political, social, racial, psychological and spiritual walls built in stones and institutions by ignorance, greed, lust, gluttony, pride and hate only to be broken by the strategy of love, sacrifice, forgiveness and the grace of God.  A message, so revolutionary, which has inspired the greatest leaders and saints of all times.  A message that knows no boundaries.  A message of love. Love, being the basic goodness, in our humanity; we are children of God made in His image and likeness. 

Christian humanism is the foundation of my personal philosophy. I believe in man's special place in the greater scheme of things and the great order of the universe. A philosophy founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, a truth paid in blood; a truth revealed in the greatest love story of all times - God's love for His People. I am who I am today and I am redeemed everyday by my faith. I find strength and courage in my awareness that I was born for a great purpose. Though, I am human clothed in imperfection and death awaits me, I can make a difference. I can be part of God's creation in making this world a better place to live in.