Critical issues in and concerns about campus leadership

Second of three parts

(This is the second part of the speech I gave during the Annual Convention and Seminar Workshop for Campus Advisers and the 13th Annual National Convention and Seminar Workshops for Student Leaders held in Baguio last year. It was attended by more or less 600 faculty-advisers and student leaders from the different regions in the country. In Part 1 published here last week, I discussed “A. Character: Does it matter?” I gave and discussed the six pillars of character.)

B. Integrity: A scarce commodity?

The character elements relating to trustworthiness, honesty, reliability and loyalty most closely define integrity, through all the elements of character are related to one’s integrity. Integrity comes from the word “integer” which means “whole.” A person shows the same character traits in private as well as in public, respect; consideration of others and tolerance of differences; responsibility; practice of self-control and perseverance; fairness; caring and sharing with others; being receptive; kind; compassionate; good citizenship; and respecting authority are related to integrity.

Integrity may also be defined as firm adherence to a code of especially moral and artistic values that is incorruptibility; soundness or an unimpaired decision; and the quality or state of being complete or undivided or completeness.

Good character and integrity are easiest to demonstrate when facing public disapproval, but the true test comes when you can potentially get away with anything because then nothing is at stake but your own conscience.

C. Commitment: Key to Success?

John Maxwell in one of his books says “the key that unlocks the door to success is the key of commitment.”
There are five key commitments every aspiring individual must have to have success:

1. True leaders commit themselves to growth.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a lifelong learner. Once he said “I question and soul-search constantly to be as certain as I can that I am fulfilling the true meaning of my work, maintaining my sense of purpose, holding fast to my ideas and that I am guiding my people in the right direction.”

As student leaders, continue to pursue your craft or talent. Study and learn. Grow by experience. Keep working to deploy strength; works on compensating for weakness and limits. The victory goes to those who are willing to fight one more round.

As popularized by one training institution, “We value the importance of individuals setting high standards in all areas of growth and we value an atmosphere that encourages people to explore new ideas and different ways of thinking.” For with growth comes learning and improved performance.

2. Leaders commit themselves to a vision

Proverbs 29.18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Further, John Maxwell in his book “The Maxwell Leadership Bible” states, “Vision allows us to see ourselves. We see things not as they are, but as we are. Vision allows us to see others. We feel compelled to act. Vision gives us conviction to stand, confidence to speak and compassion to share. Finally, obedience to this vision motivates us to act. It fulfills us.”

While pondering on this, allow me to voice the sentiments of Mr. Nicanor Perlas (Philippine Star, January 20, 2005) who won the Alternative Nobel Prize in 2003, or the Right Livelihood Award, “the country is not all about gloom and doom. It was urgent to present the story of the other, more positive and equally real side of the Philippines. In this way we develop a collective consciousness of our own worth and achievement and start appreciating the positive images of the future that we have within us.” Let us dream, develop a vision and begin with setting our aims high.

3. Leaders commit themselves to action.

Vision without action is useless. For change to occur there is a need to move and within a certain time frame in mind. With all the things/events transpiring in our society and in the world we move in, there’s something I would like to ask the young student-participants or this undertaking, help counteract images of violent behavior young people experiences in popular culture. Be committed to the promotion of values, attitudes, knowledge and skills to transcend the pervasive culture of violence. Let’s be educated heart and head. Is this a herculean task to accomplish in the campus level? If you say yes to this query, I want you recall with me the lines of the song, Just one little candle where it goes as, “It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark . . . .” –FELIZARDO Y. FRANCISCO, Manila Times

Concluded next Friday

opinion@manilatimes.net