Wrap Up 2011

2011, this is the year that we will leave behind and we will bid farewell to, a few hours from now. This might not sound unusual but you know?  I feel a bit sad yet happy during the New Year ’s Eve.  Of course, I know all of you feel the same way somehow.  I am treating every year as unique from the other years that have passed; the things that are happening just vary from time to time. 

Let me think of some notable events from 2011.. hmmm.. I guess one of them was the Tsunami and 9.0 magnitude earthquake at Japan last March 11. We have seen how the waves swallowed some parts of Japan that left approximately 15,000 people dead. We were all shocked by the devastation that it brought to that Nation and I should say that it is one of the greatest wake-up call that humanity have encountered in the modern times.

Further to that event there are also some other global news that have made mark in the year 2011. Arab spring, Euro zone crisis, death of Osama Bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi and Steve Jobs, shooting in Norway, famine in Somalia, Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton were just some of the most remarkable occurrences this year. I might not have the time to watch the evening news daily due to my schedule at work but I was aware that these things happened.

In the local scene on the other hand (Philippines), we were also bombarded with catastrophes brought by some prominent typhoons named Pedring and Quiel that battered Northern and Central Luzon and of course the ever so destructive Typhoon Sendong at Visayas and Mindanao areas just this December.  Meanwhile, there were also dramas that took place on our Political Scene this past year which has been well publicized on the news. For instance, who would forget the infamous line “I invoke my right against self-incrimination”? This was brought about by an alleged corruption that happened. Aside from that, there are so many other news makers that I cannot enumerate them all.

Indeed, 2011 became good to some but for the others, it left some marks that will never be easily erased. Let us don’t dwell with those and leave everything behind now guys! We have to embrace 2012 which is now fast approaching.  By the way! I would just also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who are supporting me. I had a very wonderful time expressing and sharing my thoughts to all of you.  This is my last post for 2011, see you in 2012 and that would be tomorrow. Hahaha!!!

Typhoon Sendong: A call for Help

..and here I am sitting in front of my PC knowing that somewhere out there from the South, some of my fellow Filipinos are suffering from the aftermath of Sendong.

Typhoon Sendong, international name "Washi" literally washed away everything that went against its path. This typhoon lashed some parts of Mindanao over the last weekend and the magnitude of the effect is really heartbreaking. It was previously reported that the death toll has already risen to almost 927 and I don't know if it went up as I write as of the moment.

Due to the massive death toll, both Iligan and Cagayan de Oro are already considering mass burials because the bodies are already swamping the local funeral parlors. These two places are normally being visited by an average of 20 typhoons per year and they are not that used with floods hitting them. This might be the reason why so many residents were caught by surprise when the flash flood suddenly hit their homes leaving an unimaginable devastation.

In effect, more than 88,000 people have been displaced by the storm and over half of them are now staying in some of the evacuation areas that have been in placed. Authorities compared the impact of tropical storm Washi to Ketsana (Ondoy), one of the country's most destructive storms which dumped a large volume rain on Manila and other parts of the country in 2009, killing more than 460 people.

To all of you my friends all over the world, I am appealing for your assistance (be it monetary or spiritually) to all of my brothers and sisters at Mindanao who are affected. Let's exercise the spirit of Christmas by extending our blessings to all of them who are in need and in suffering as of the moment. I can't imagine how painful it is to have this kind of trial but we can make a difference. There are lots of venues where we will be able to send our financial help to them, I am reaching out unto all of you. If financial help is not possible, may I just request for your prayers for all the people who died out there and for the families that were left mourning for their loss.

Let me just add.. How I wish.. deforestation will stop to avoid these scenarios in the future (sigh).

Interesting

Not all times you’ll say the word “interesting” right? Because you are also not bumping to something or someone interesting at all times as well. We all have our own criteria in judging whether something is interesting. It may not be interesting for me, but it is for you. I come up with this subject because I suddenly remembered a quote that an artist named Skylar Gray mentioned before which I find very unusual yet appealing. 

I quote “People seem to be afraid of the unknowns, but I’m the complete opposite. I dive into the unknown because I feel like that’s where all your possibilities come from”

Those kinds of ideas are really catching my attention. I am a bit eccentric that’s why bizarre and odd things are being held in my mind for quite some times. Some people are being amazed by things, places, hobbies etc. but me? I’m being fascinated with the thoughts and principles of other people. I love to dissect everything that they want to imply because in that way I will be able to exercise my mind and at the same time learn something new from the people that I am conversing with.

It is the mind that really interests me, if only I could have a shift of career I might also want to try Psychology. It is fascinating that if we are all given a chance to define one word, e.g. “fear” it will differ based on our own perspective and it will really be diverse. It is captivating to know that all of us can think of something that if said will be able to catch the attention of others.

To sum it up, I just love how the mind works…it can affect the emotion but you can still manipulate it based on what you want to think and feel.

That is awesome!!!

Enough of what interests me; I just shared what’s on my mind. :D

Let me just ask… How about you? What interests you?

On Being a Leader

If you are a leader, it doesn’t follow that you are already a good one.  We have to analyze first your goals and approach in doing the responsibilities in order for us to determine if you are doing your job very well. I have been a leader  for numerous times before during my academics years and I would say that being one requires a lot of skills. You have to learn every skill possible for the welfare of your followers/members in order to execute the project smoothly and successfully. When I became a Battalion Ex-O during my 4^th year in High School, I learned to become firm and open –minded with the hardships of my Cadets versus the command of my Superiors. When I became a President of Various Clubs and when people are depending on me when there’s a speech that needs to be delivered and piece that needs to be narrated, I learned to speak up and relay the information fearlessly. When I became part of our student publication during my College days, I learned to accept my editor’s harsh comments and write new paragraphs even in times that I am so frustrated. 

I never thought that I could use those experiences of mine to know if that particular person has very good leadership skills or not. I am already outside the academe and I have already seen various approaches in leading. I am so proud to say that I have seen some who are definitely the best and some who holds the worst spot.  Nonetheless, I am still thankful that I encountered both sides as I would really love to use what I learned from them in the future, be it positive or negative.

Being a leader is not just about you as individual, it’s about mentoring and bringing out the best with the people who are depending on your strategy and shield. Well that is my opinion, but we all have our own definition of the word Leadership. Per what we can see on some references, it has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". However, this definition will not be achieved if you don’t have the styles in applying such. Let me give you some styles that you may see on your own leaders:

Autocratic Leadership Style - This form of leadership is quite unpopular especially when it comes to building trust and if you would also want to make friends with your subordinates. Autocratic leadership, means that one person has control over all of the workers or followers. The leader is in complete control and no one is permitted to make any proposals or offer any opinions, no matter how it may benefit the group. This is not a good style if you are handling superb followers who could handle the work themselves. However, if the group is somehow flat or no person is standing up for the team then this style will really help.

Charismatic Style - The Charismatic Leader gathers followers through impression of behavior and appeal, rather than any form of external power or authority. Charismatic Leaders will often center strongly on making the group very clear and different, separating it from other groups. They will then build the image of the group, in particular in the minds of their followers, as being far finer than all the rest. The Charismatic Leader will typically attach themselves firmly to the identity of the group, such that to join the group is to become one with the leader. In doing so, they create an inalienable position for themselves.

Coaching Style of Leadership - A great coach is definitely a leader who also possesses an exceptional gifts ability to teach and train. The Coaching leader clearly defines roles and tasks, but seeks the input and suggestions from the followers.  Decisions are still made by the leader, but communication style is more two-way. The coaching leadership style is most suitable when followers are more accountable, knowledgeable, and agreeable.  The coaching leader directs and guides; including providing encouragement and inspiration to help motivate the followers.

The three styles that I have provided above are just part of so many styles in leadership that you can find. Let me just emphasize that all the styles should point out in achieving the goals not only on the outside but in the core. A good leader is someone who knows what he or she is doing, but if not he/she should know how to get the answer through the help not only of his/her superiors but also from the followers. I know it’s tough to be in that position, but it is tougher though if you are a leader and so many people are opposing on what you’re doing ayt??. Would you want to lead a bunch of unpredictable rebel followers? haha, just kidding.. :D