I
Thelma P. Calabio
Chairman Emeritus
Honorary Life Director
Chair, Website Operations
Editor-in-Chief, MUSA Bulletin
email: musatcom@aol.com
INSIDE MUSA
MY SIMPLE VISION OF LEADERSHIP VERSUS THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST
We are proud to say that our leaders today have gained more strength and much better insights in running our organization effectively and even produced more concerned and ardent supporters as a result of a lesson learned from the weaknesses and arrogance of the recent past.
There is a wealth of leadership experience in our organization so that we must take advantage of our people's backgrounds, strengths and resources. My simple vision of leadership shared by many is that leaders must create unselfish teams of people that work to support each other, with credit-less and protocol-less attitude and avoiding factionalism. I believe such teams will not weaken the leadership but actually will call for better decisions and results and will benefit the leader in the long run. Our leaders should never be satisfied with their own results but should make use of others, like past leaders, as advisers and should always seek constant improvement and open to new ideas. They should attempt to build teams below them, made up of individuals who may be stronger, smarter and better than themselves. They should not be worried about who has the most authority, but instead, increase resources that support them, knowing that they are always responsible for the results. It is the appreciation and value for each other that will help us grow through tough times. This is what makes a great organization; supporting each other with ideas, common values, and strong belief that we can survive though challenges. If we do not trust each other, then there will be constant disruption in progress. If we trust them and each other, then we will seek each other's help without seeing it as a weakness but as a strength.
TO: The Officers, Board of Directors and Honorary Directors
FROM: Thelma P. Calabio
DATE: September 16, 2002
RE: A Piece of Advice
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This is to express my inmost concern for the association we all love and enjoy which has been in an unwelcome tough situation lately.
As past chairman and honorary director, I felt obligated to break my silence and give constructive attention to this negative turn of event so that in that capacity, let me contribute a piece of advice at this trying time, the aftermath of the unanticipated hidden conflict with the new Chairman of the Board, Pilar Rendon, that was only uncovered and triggered when she read her notes to publicly announce her resignation from her new post, but with the intention to remain as member, at the recent annual general meeting and picnic, followed by her walkout to the surprise of our guests and friends who were enjoying the event.
We now face a period of both a culmination and a beginning of a new leadership. We have a choice to make: to wait and react, or take a proactive step now? Whether we like it or not, we have been presented with an opportunity to exercise tolerance, resourcefulness and collective power, skill and effectiveness as a team. The present situation makes an unusual demands on us but I am confident that we are far more than equal to that challenge and with our cooperation and collaboration, we can find more satisfaction in promptly resolving the new leadership issue, as well as, the negative subjects that confront us today.
We are likely to hear rumors, half truths and untruths, but if we focus on such things, we will become paralyzed into inaction. Instead, let us focus on moving forward, finding solutions to achieving our goals and working happily together toward a resolution of what seems to be after all, a simple and short-lived problem. Collectively, I believe we have the talent and the will to face further challenges.
Let us take a nice objective look at our good image we have earned in the social and professional community here in the United States and overseas, particularly in our beloved hometown. Based on my three-year experience as the first Chairman of this association, one of the greatest features of our organization is that we tend not to think alike and do not expect sweeping agreement on what we should do, but we unite, consult and compliment each other and find answers that keep our association active and healthy. We are not depressed because others may have tried to change the tone of our drive and spirit to afford friendship and enjoyment and we do not mix personal problems with the affairs of the association. Our organization deserves everything we can do to preserve it, make it more enjoyable and productive. Let us continue to pool our collective skills, beat the odds, reverse any negative trend, savor our great moments of working together and bring about a new triumph to MUSA.
Finally, let us welcome and appreciate whatever our member or friend has labored and achieved that benefits our organization and our people. We do not work for anyone. We work with everyone in the association. Let us now move ahead with confidence in our ability to work together cheerfully as a team like a family, to achieve tremendous success. As leaders, let us set a good example for all of us to follow and continue to build a record of good leadership and achievements that inspire even better leadership and greater achievements. The success of the leader is synonymous with the success of the organization.
Thank you and wish you all the very best.