Reflection Paper On Leadership Journey

My Leadership Journey

“Tayo na sa Antipolo, at doon maligo tayo, sa batis na kung tawagin ay Hi – Hi – Hinulugang Taktak …” so goes the lyrics of a popular Filipino folksong. This evokes a feeling of excitement and anticipation of a new experience, of getting immersed in a torrent of water, and getting cleansed and refreshed. For me, the monthly sessions of the Superintendents Leadership Program evoked the same excitement and anticipation. The lessons that we received are like torrents of water coming strong and unavoidable. Whether we liked it or not, we learned in these sessions, we are cleansed of our misconceptions and bad habits and we are refreshed by the experiences, the knowledge and the new friends that we gained. I believed

The DepED Memorandum stated that SLP intends to provide the superintendents with the required level of competence needed to perform their functions amidst changes in the Department of Education. It was very timely and lifesaving. I felt that this leadership program is the answer to my prayers. I grabbed the opportunity to be part of SLP Batch 2 learning team. I had hoped that my lack of experience as a leader will be compensated by the training that I will receive from SLP. I wished that through SLP, I will be able to perform my duties and functions in the educative community of San Pablo with more competence and skill and tackle my challenges with more confidence and

Leadership, as defined in Wikipedia is “a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. In the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Manual, leadership is defined as “creating environment that influence others to achieve group goals”. In both definitions, two basic elements of leadership stood out – influence and group goal/common task. Leadership then connotes being able to influence others into doing something for the group, for the community and not just for oneself. This is my Waterloo. I am not very good at influencing people. So I had little confidence that I could be a good leader. With SLP, I had built this confidence little by little. With SLP, I came to know myself more. I realized that what sustained me first as a leader was pure bravado, a projection that I am the hero who could make the Division better; who could give the people what they deserve. And I worked very hard to sustain that image, to give our people what they want. Till I grew tired and spent. Till complaints and problems arise. Till more demands are unfulfilled. Then I became the autocratic leader, telling everyone what to do, making them do as told because I hold the position of the leader. Then I grew tired again and I looked for people who can help me. To them, I delegated most of the work I previously hold. But then, things are not as