Extraordinary
published 21 July 2008, MST
Fifty-one leaders. Seven chapters. One book, dense with wisdom -- both written and implied.
The Management Association of the Philippines, with help from the Philippine office of Development Dimensions International, has come up with Extraordinary: Stories for Aspiring Leaders, edited by Victor Magdaraog and Nikki Katherine Dy-Liacco. The book, released this year by Anvil Publishing, is an ambitious project. It attempts to tell the stories of Filipinos deemed the best and most inspiring leaders in both business and government.
It is a given that each of the 51 individuals featured in the book has his or her own wealth of experience that dates back to childhood -- privileged or not -- and on to his or her career. How, then, to bring out the essence of these individual journeys through insightful, incisive questions? Process the massive information obtained from the interviews and decide which aspects to use for the book and which to set aside for the moment? Pool these gems together, put them side by side, draw patterns and themes common to them? Determine whose stories most obviously exemplify an identified theme? String anecdotes together for continuity and logical flow? Present these leaders as real people with real-life dilemmas and triumphs, not gurus, lecturers or high-profile executives who are too busy to share their stories?
Finally, how to present these strung-together packets of insights, organized per theme, in a manner easily appreciated by young people whom the book primarily targets? The book tries to get the message across by engaging a team of young writers to do the interviews, process the answers, and write the chapters themselves. See for yourself if they get through you.
MAP President for 2007 Ambassador Albert F. Del Rosario, in his message at the beginning of the book, reiterates the organization's 2007 theme, “Country Above Self.” And it comes just at the perfect time, when “we are assailed by endless stories of mismanagement, and corruption, and of moral failure in both the public and the private sectors, not just in the Philippines but from all around the world.”
When you hear only bad news everywhere of how mismanagement and personal agenda have dominated the practices of most prominent people, it is easy to feel disheartened. Is this the way the system has become? Shall any attempt to challenge this be futile?
The book reminds us it is not. It shows us that that there are men and women who have carved their own legacies in their respective industries, and most of it is because they have attached the word “servant” to the word “leader.”
Chapter 1 (Inspiring confidence and belief in the future) stresses the importance of visualizing the future, forging partnerships, thinking positively, elevating skills and motivating others to dream. Inspiration is what drives it all. Chapter 2 (Passion for results) is about excellence in big and little things, and how one should not work for work's sake alone. Instead, every task should be seen as a masterpiece. Chapter 3 (Managing in uncertain times) acknowledges the existence of crises, and says that meritocracy and the humility to accept one's mistakes before moving on should help tide one through. Chapter 4 (Marked with unwavering integrity) qualifies a big word, integrity – it should be unwavering – and that real leaders must walk the talk in every aspect of their lives. The reader is reminded that a good name lasts forever.
Chapter 5 (Strong, not big, egos) establishes the difference between big egos and strong ones. Real leaders tend not to call attention to themselves and grab all the credit. Instead, their self-awareness is so great that they think nothing about working with the ranks and learning from their failures. Chapter 6 (Courage to make tough decisions) underscores the importance of courage and conviction in making painful decisions. Finally, Chapter 7 (Setting up others for success) says that leaders recognize other people's talents and contributions and must in fact prepare themselves to be expendable.
Each chapter is supported by anecdotes or pieces of advice coming from an average of 16 people among the interviewed leaders. Some of them appear more frequently, in more than one chapter. Some answers are quoted in full and some experiences are discussed extensively.
Apparently, the questions given the leaders were similar, if not identical. Each of the 51 resource persons were asked to communicate their thoughts on, for instance, whether they thought leaders were born or made. Success and the perception of success. Their influences and mentors. They were asked to describe their growth and learning as leaders, as well as the follies and miscalculations that in hindsight enriched their lives. They were made to identify their guiding principles, philosophies and values. What were some the dilemmas they faced and how did they resolve these? Finally, they were asked to analyze the causes of failures in leadership, in the broader context.
The postscript by Baltazar Endriga poses a practical question. If the country has this kind of business and government leaders, then how come “the country has struggled behind its Asian neighbors in various aspects of human development – economics, social justice, political maturity, stability, national consciousness, public morals, education, even cultural development [?]...We wonder what went wrong and how and what leaders must do to make our country and our people move forward....”
He includes the theories of some of the leaders they interviewed and concludes that business leaders of the future must not simply show fat bottom lines but consider the social meaning of business leadership. “The business leader of tomorrow will be expected to be heroic, patriotic and conscious at all times that many of the decisions he or she makes must contribute to building a nation unified in its decisions and actions to create a society that every Filipino can be proud of.” And yet, despite these conclusions, the book offers no fixed answers. Will tomorrow's leaders be up to par? Is it about leaders all the time? What about the quality of the would-be followers, which make up bulk of the population?
The reader is left with the impression that there was so much more to these leaders' stories. After briefly wondering what criteria was used in drawing up this list (why not 510, or 10, why these 51?), one yearns to discover how each of them answered each of the questions – not only the processed version. Maybe the way they answered would also provide a glimpse into their minds. In this aspect, the book becomes the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It is so wonderfully condensed that one cannot help asking whether some equally important aspects have been left out, for space considerations.
Ultimately, Extraordinary occasions introspection, especially if the reader is himself or herself possessed with the same love of country and desire to contribute to make this nation a better place. How am I faring thus far? Shall my own story be worthy of mention someday?
If the gauge is the ability to inspire, Extraordinary is a success. The book establishes that there are no fancy tricks or qualifications to becoming a leader. One can make a difference, first and foremost, only if one deliberately chooses to and embraces this calling. Everything follows.
Copies of the book may be obtained at the office of the Management Association of the Philippines. Call 751-1149 or visit www.map.org.ph.
