If you are a leader...

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

—Max DePree

The first thing you should do is communicate what you want, where to go, how to do it and predict the outcome. Many team players are lost, not just in translation, but direction. Of course, aim something that is achievable.

Then, while you are working with your team, be a servant. Offer a snack. Brew coffee. Tap them on the shoulders and commend them for working hard. Ask if there are things that you need to clarify. Don't wait till your staff mess up. Guide them and give concrete instructions.

Lastly, THANK the team. It shows that leaders can't do ALL THE WORK on their own. Every member of the team has valuable contribution. JUST THANK THEM.

Then, celebrate for job well done.

Why Do We (Still) Have Teachers

The technology has a great impact in the education system today. Everything is in the internet. The answers are available anytime. Simply, they are just a click away. Basically, we can learn by just intelligently surfing the internet.

But, what if? What if tomorrow the teachers are gone? I couldn't imagine the world without them. I believe, amidst the advent of rising technology, teachers still exist today because of these purposes:

1. Students need a friend.
We don't need a machine to supply us what we need to know. We need someone who cares. Someone who is passionate in imparting life's lessons to the learners.

2. Students need a coach.
We need motivation. We need strategies. If not, a basketball game would be different when players play by themselves. We need someone to tap our back and say, "Hey, do good next exam. Power up your review. I know you can make it on top." That's what Google can't do.

3. Students need to learn disciplines.
Entertainment is good. It's fun. Yet, teachers show us how to be more disciplined in life. They know when we spent most of time our time in playing, we're not getting anywhere. Learning is still fun. :)

Teachers taught us how to dream and how to build that dream. Then, they deployed us to the professional world. They TRUSTED us that WE CAN achieve our dreams.

They are like our parents. They rejoice with us in our victories, achievements and successes.

Today is Teachers' Day. Let thank our HEROES who spent almost half of their (daily) lives caring for us.

Followers? Anyone???

I'm curious about people who wanted to be leaders but despise being the follower. And, I'm troubled with people who don't want to be a leader because they fear responsibilities and commitment. Have you ever met somebody who's telling you what you should do but didn't show you how? He's cool! Just imagine a ball coach who can't shoot while telling his guys not to miss a free throw? That's unbelievable. He must be the son of the team manager or owner.

We can't pass on to others what we don't have. It won't work that way. The moment we gain the experience, then we become credible to tell others the mess we did or the triumph we achieved. Great leaders emanate from their past victories over struggles. After all, they won't be great if they have surpassed easy jobs.

Those footmarks we leave become the trail of those who follow us. When we look behind and see there's none who wants to be like us, it could be a question to the quality of life we offer to this world. I mean, there's no room for hungry learners because they are always out to look for someone they wanted to be like. Just like me. I look for people who became successful not because they inherited the success but strove to meet the peak. Thankful that I am, I can't count them in my fingers. I'd like to listen to those who were once "the ordinary" with an extraordinary heart to serve men, not just to earn profits and recognitions.

It's so inspiring to meet people from all walks of life but let us examine those we follow. The two are both both accountable- the leader and the follower. Don't forget that. Leaders must produce alike. Followers must become leaders too. Followers will never come to extinction, only leaders.