A New Horizon – the general theme of the 47th PMAP Annual Conference suggests a renewal or a change that would improve or add value to an organization’s asset.
Personally, I am an advocate for CHANGE. I believe this is one of the ways for our country to improve and grow. However, change can be towards the better or the other way around. The PMAP Annual Conference 2010 aims to reach ‘a new horizon’ and so, the topics in the different concurrent sessions were in line with this theme.
Our first PMAP experience taught me five things. First, INNOVATION is a must. If we want to stay on top, we must embrace innovation. Competition is very stiff nowadays in the aspect of sales and marketing. In fact, competition is everywhere. Why do we, ladies, need to maintain our beauty and composure? Why do we, teachers, need to find new strategies and try different teaching methods in the classroom? Why do Manny Pacquiao, needs to practice boxing and undergo trainings despite the fact that he’s already on top? Just the same as why managers need to be good leaders at the same time. Whenever there is competition, we also need to level up. This is a challenge for all of us who are born champions. There is more to discover and accomplish every moment. We just need to be more observant and creative applying those knowledge and wisdom we saw and gained through experience.
Second, we must strive for PERSONAL EXCELLENCE. We don’t have to run after success. We just have to be the best in whatever we love to do and eventually, success will be running after us. Management by Ownership (MBO) contributes to the agenda on personal excellence. Live it first.. Walk the talk.. Teach by example.. – these statements sum it all. As Wilhelmina Gonzales quoted, “True happiness comes from doing the things we love the most”. Servant Leadership is an ideal practice. This focuses on helping ourselves by helping others. Our efforts might not be well compensated at first but then, the priceless feeling of fulfilment pays it all.
Third, inaction is not an option. We always have a choice. When we choose to give up or stop, then we fail. I have read long before that no one is seen to be useless in this earth because he or she can still be used as a bad example. For me, they are those who see inaction as an option. Dr. Benito Teehankee’s talk, Magsimula Tayo, mentioned the fatalistic behaviours of Filipinos. Though if seen on the brighter side, it seems like our faith in God is strong but when associated with laziness, it is seen as a hopeless case. We have to see things in a different perspective and we must cling to the fact that there is that something just waiting to be done.
Fourth, there are no difficult people, only difficult situation. Sometimes, we need to hold our horses. Ms. Dina Loomis reminded us to avoid rush judgements. We must practice putting ourselves in the shoes of the people we deal with. I agree with her. Managers need to be broadminded, see things from afar and make decisions based on facts and figures.
Fifth, people is the most important asset in every organization. There is no ideal leader but the best leaders are those who are task and relationship-motivated ones. We all differ in attitude and perception. As people managers, we have to see things in a positive manner. We have to remember that any business is built on trust. The way we see others depend on how we see ourselves. We will never be a leader, if we have no followers. So, as I may quote from Kenneth Blanchard, “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority”.
The PMAP experience wrapped up the lessons we’ve had in our management subject under the ever humble, energetic and worth emulating professor, Dr. Polaus M. Bari. We are all grateful for we were given the chance to participate in the annual conference of people managers, given the fact that we are still managers in the making. We might not be HR managers, but I believe that as a college professor, I am managing people who might become managers in the future. Management, per se starts within, for if we cannot manage ourselves well, neither can we manage our families and the organization where we belong. I am a lifetime learner. I may not yet be a manager now but then, the adventure still continues. Who knows?
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