Many of us, if not most, tend to look for the exception rather than become exceptional. That is to paraphrase my favorite author and leadership guru, John C. Maxwell. If truly “everything rises and falls on leadership” most of the time, then why would we rather beat on the bush than grab that chance to lead others well beyond all expectation? One reason perhaps lies in the uncertainty of a season, literally and figuratively. That is why we cannot help but admire the courage of a farmer or a fisherfolk to face each season that opens – repeatedly – everything including surprises. And then we realize the value of vision, seeing through and not flustered by the uncertainties of seasons as they change and sharpen a leader’s foresight. Ways of working and attitudes soon make up self-discipline that spreads into high performing team “drills” as a matter of influence. Creating changes that lift up in honor our people, our workplace, and our leader(s) is the ultimate test of leadership, to my mind at least. And they are worth reprising.
It has been said that learning, leading, and leaving a legacy are the seasons of a leader’s life. When the true season of leadership arrives, then the leader must lead – and thereby create his ways of working and attitudes legacy. The sum of all of that is the story of leadership that will be left behind when the season(s) close(s). It is perhaps my great fortune to have lived in a country where fall is a season and also observed when “the trees show us how lovely it is to let things go.” Truly, every shift in season is a signal that we are not stuck. Grace finds us. We have another chance to write a better story. Meanwhile, thank you PhilRice for the seasons of leadership. Thank you for enabling me to also have moments for growth, reflection, fixing up, and transition; to enjoy planting, maintaining, harvesting, recharging, and repeating all these while innovating with you. What a fabulous journey we had – creating positive changes for our continuous improvement. I hope you agree. We can do it again — God willing. Salamat 2019-2023. Mabuhay 2024!
– John C. de Leon, Executive Director
