Last June 27-29, I joined the 2nd Cebu Young Leaders Summit as one of the representatives of the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence. There I met youth leaders from different schools, mostly members of the Supreme Student Government, and some SK Chairpersons of different barangays in Cebu City.
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| The CYLS delegates with Ms. Rachelle Dangin, Mr. Chris Tio, Mr. Jules Bungcaras and Mr. Mike Lopez |
At the summit, we met influencial people like the AYLC Director Mr. Monchito Mossesgeld, an economics teacher from USC whom I look up to and is one of my idols Mr. Miguel Antonio Garcia, the former National Youth Commissioner Mr. Mike Lopez, a successful entrepreneur who also works in the government Mr. Chris Tio, and a justice advocate who’s part of the International Justice Movement Mr. Jules Bungcaras.
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| Mr. Monchito Mossesgeld gives a talk on servant-leadership |
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| The four panelists with the moderator, Ms. Elisabeth Baumgart |
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| Mr. Miguel Antonio Garcia talked about leadership branding |
We listened to talks on servant-leadership, self awareness, and leadership branding. And for the first time, the CYLS delegates had the experiential learning education through Kool Adventure Camp activities (i.e. Trolley Walk, Find a Tree, Great Egg Drop, Land mines, and Initiative Wall). We, the delegates surely would not forget what we have experienced because per Aristotle “we learn by doing things”.
Through the visions that we have, we made our personal commitments.
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| FVC |
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| self-awareness acitivity |
LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE CEBU YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT:
- Know your greatest passion; what makes you happy; and what makes you get out of bed in the morning.
- The best tool in leadership is YOU.
- When someone argues with you, don’t argue with him too. Instead, ask him to help you understand his point.
- Don’t keep what you have learned to yourself- share it to others.
- Take a stand. “If you stand on something, you won’t fall for anything.”
- Take a breather. Stop and re-evaluate what you’re doing.
- Learn what to do and what not to do. Learn from mistakes. Do not let your mistakes in the past ruin your future.
- Go out. The more you keep yourself out there, the more chances of learning.
- Level off. Encourage people yet at the same time stay grounded.
- Go back to the basics: be a good student first before being a good leader; you can’t give what you don’t have; a lot is expected from a leader and; there’s nothing worthwhile in life that comes easy
- Happiness= what you are good at + what challenges you + what gives you meaning
- We learn by doing things.
- As a leader, you should know who you are leading; as a follower, you should know who you are following
- Learn to withdraw and let others take the lead.
- You vision in life should be clear and specific; and you must set indicators whether you have accomplished it.
- Leaders have the desire to serve others first before themselves.
- Have integrity --- what you do and what you say should be one.
- As a steward, use your power to empower.
- Never ask someone to do something that you cannot do.
- There is no success without a successor.
- Keep asking “what can I do? How can I serve best?”
- Once the fruit starts to ripen, it starts to rot; empty your cups, be open to learn new things.
- Have a brand--How do you want to be remembered? Why did your members put you in that position? Do they really need you? What makes you different as a leader?
- Know your skills and bank on them.
- Go back to where it all began and keep track of your leadership growth.
- Experience AND REFLECTION is the best teacher.
- A leader does not need a position to serve
- YOU are the change maker
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| Leader ko Bai! |
REFLEECTIONS:
I really look up to AYLA-Bai for they are really great leaders. “Who was I compared to these people?” that was my question before the summit started. But, after the summit, I’ve realized that I can be a great leader, too. And I don’t need a position just to serve.
After bonding with fellow delegates for two and a half days, I’ve realized that I have to stop belittling myself and start thinking that I can do great things if I just believe. Also, I’ve realized that I can work with leaders whom I thought are far better than me. In the summit, I have found my voice. If felt comfortable sharing my thoughts and experiences to them because I knew they’d understand. I don’t know whether it’s the program or the people that somehow changed me and helped me grow.
And, knowing that there are still people who are willing to serve others before serving themselves inspire me to keep moving forward.
“We are the hope of our country” may be an overused phrase that defines the Filipino youth but, it is very true. I hope and pray that all of us will participate in nation building because the Philippines needs us.
So, here's a short message to everyone:
Life is not just about FINDING YOUR TREE-your vision, it also about finding a way on how to get there TOGETHER. There may be landmines, but DON'T let these hinder you from finding it.
"Vision without action is a dream" per Joel Barker.
As leaders, we should know OUR EGG-ourselves. We should protect it using all the ways that we can think. We should spot our weak and strong points; develop the weak and harness the strong ones.
If you fail, don't worry; it's because of mistakes that we learn. Keep making mistakes and keep learning.
If you STAND OUT, some people may hammer you down. Never mind them. US President Obama said that “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” Keep walking. Keep doing the right thing.
Continue Effecting and Affecting change, fellow leaders.
And always remember, you just need a LITTLE EXTRA to be extraordinary.
Move forward! Be a catalyst, be a changemaker!
Sugbuanon, IKAW ang sinugdanan sa kabag-ohan!
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| Izza, Rhyle, Mariejo, Danica, and me--- the representatives of ALEx for CYLS |
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| Leader ko bai :D |
