We’re Ready to Vote for Our Leaders

“The domain of leaders is the future. The leader’s unique legacy is the creation of valued institutions that survive over time. The most significant contribution leaders make is not simply to today’s bottom line; it is the long-term development of people and institutions so they can adapt, change, prosper, and grow.” James Kouzes and Barry Posner, American bestselling authors of “The Leadership Challenge” and professors of leadership at the Sta. Clara, University

The inspiration for this article is drawn from the book “The Leadership Challenge.” The book was published in 1987 and sold over 2 million copies and was translated to 20 languages. The bestseller celebrated its 5th edition in 2012. In 1983, the authors did extensive research to analyze thousands of personal leadership experiences. They found similar patterns of action and thus they were able to formulate a model of leadership. On May 9, it’s time for us to choose our leaders. Let us look into this model because it will help us make a wise and intelligent choice.

Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

1. Model the Way. Leadership is something that is learned and earned. It is not something one is born with. The most fundamental way in which leaders earn and sustain is through credibility. They do what they say they will do. They set an example. A leader clarifies his values and he finds a voice that clearly expresses his values. In this May elections, one basic criterion should be borne in mind: The leaders of our country should represent what the Philippines stands for.

2. Inspire a Shared Vision. This is a two-part practice: First, the leader should have a vision of the future by imagining and believing in an exciting, highly attractive future for the organization (the country). He must show confidence that he can make that vision come true. Second, the leader must have intimate knowledge of people’s dreams, aspirations, hopes, visions, and values.

3. Challenge the Process. He is somebody who explores for change for the good, if not for the better. The leader therefore must challenge the current process. Thus, he should be somebody who is innovative. He must be in constant search for improvement and growth. He is somebody who listens to the people in the front lines.

4. Enable Others to Act. Success requires team effort, group collaboration, and individual accountability. The authors devised a simple test around it: To determine whether someone is on the road to becoming a leader, they simply count the number of times the person uses the word, “we.”

5. Encourage the Heart. This refers to the genuine acts of caring to uplift the spirits of people. It is the celebration of values and victories via the spirit of community.