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A Hint of Madness
Vol. I, No. 01 * 02 January 2009  By JCI Sen. REGINALD T. YU, ITF Trainer, Inspirational Speaker and Author, Communicator Fellow JCI Members, I’d like to welcome all of you to my very first “blog” – ever! And I’ve decided to name this occasional column “Table Talk” – in deference to the brilliantly simple, yet exceedingly effective method with which JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel has attracted potential members into its fold. If my modest column would just be able to inspire a miniscule fraction among many of these recruits to carry on the legacy of JCI’s TRUE vision and mission, then “Table Talk” would have been immensely worth the time and effort of writing a regular piece, despite my really crowded schedule. I know, I know… many of you may already be wondering why “an aging, washed-up, never-was” like yours truly has reluctantly acquiesced to share his thoughts as a “pseudo-blogger” in this website, considering that I wasn’t even a member of this local organization!
But blame my participation on the tenacious persistence of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel’s erstwhile Charter President (CP), Cerwin T. Eviota, who adroitly beguiled me with a “personal challenge” to “inspire a new generation of leaders.” Of course, my first reaction was that of bewilderment – after all, I don’t recall having been elected to any national position – not before, not ever – nor have I served as chapter president in my own local organization, JCI Manila. Who am I to inspire elected officers of this relatively new, but ultra-dynamic organization of young leaders, when I had not assumed any elective position of far-reaching repute myself? After some serious reflection, on the other hand, I finally realized the judiciousness of CP Cerwin’s foresight. Indeed, while the JCI organization is about leadership development, its principles have very little to do with rank; on the contrary, it has a great deal to do with what we make do with the opportunity of leadership. For one, I have learned that leadership is not about being elected or appointed to an office. The office does not teach someone how to be a leader. Leadership is an attitude cultivated over time. THE MODELS IN OUR MIDST Have you ever noticed that we Filipinos take great pride in role models? They are our source of strength and inspiration. Today, perhaps more than any other period in our nation’s history, does the search for genuine leaders and heroes resonate with renewed passion and obsession, especially during these times when there seems to be a palpable and foreboding sense of betrayal from our own elected leaders. Why do we honor the ordinary folk who do extraordinary things with so much fervor? Why do we desperately trumpet just about every conceivable Filipino achievement known to man – whether it would be winning a silver medal in the Atlanta Olympics, having placed third in an American Idol singing search, being crowned third runner-up in the Miss World Pageant, being appointed as the first female White House Executive Chef? Why do we give so much credence to ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary acts of kindness? You may have heard about Cristina Bugayong, a twelve-year-old elementary student of Tomas Morato Elementary School who recovered a bag containing some Php300,000 worth of cash and checks that fell off from a motorcycle speeding past her residence last January 4, 2006. Despite her family’s modest means and dire need for financial resources, she lost no time in seeking the immediate return of the bag to the right owners. Or, take the example of Police Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., an honest cop who returned more than Php150,000 worth of cash and valuables left by its rightful owner last December 30, 2005. The exemplary honesty and moral integrity of these “Little Ones” make them sterling examples of the Filipino’s capacity for incorruptible commitment to good virtues. Why do we put our recent sports heroes, such as our SEA games triple gold medal winner Shiela Mae Perez and “people’s boxing champion” Manny Paquiao, in such a high pedestal? Why do we put an exceedingly greater weight in their one-time call for unity, while we seem to dismiss our own elected leaders’ repeated appeals for magnanimity? Dear readers, I have come to the conclusion that the essential failure in our nation’s search for progress lays not so much our inability to cope with progress as the lack of moral and committed leaders. This is because those in the national government – particularly our elected leaders in the highest offices – have been tarred by charges of dishonest dealings that they could not possibly have the moral high ground to exact compliance from their constituents. Which brings me to the question for our incoming officers of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel: can they – the heirs of this movement exclusively devoted to leadership development – re-instill such hope in leadership by being role models themselves? Are they the ones to stand up for what they believe in and ‘face the music’ even when that music happens to be unpleasant? Do they have a purpose and follow that purpose to get the ends they desire? After being active for 18 years in the JCI movement, I have come to the conclusion that the most effective leaders are the products of madness. They are seldom hardened realists who see others as they appear to be. They don’t resign themselves to the common Filipino excuses of, “ganyan talaga,” “wala tayong magagawa,” “bahala na,” “puwede na yan,” and all other convenient justifications for laziness often masked as fatalistic submission. METHODS TO MADNESS As one develops his leadership skills, as he realizes his power to influence and alter lives around him, I hope our incoming officers will recognize that leadership is an act of faith. And faith, because it is belief in the unseen is, in itself, an act of madness. Madmen possess three indispensable qualities that, if channeled correctly, can form the core of a successful and fulfilling career in JCI and beyond. They are vision, commitment, and character. Vision is everything for a leader because vision leads the leader. It sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws him forward. Visionary leaders are those who look outside of the box, who see more than meets the eye. The best leaders have seen the oak tree confined in the acorn, the world in a grain of sand. Anyone can hold up a mirror to the world and reflect its harsh realities. But it takes a great leader to hold up visions of a better world, to distort the mirrors just enough to give us a glimpse of inner possibilities. That takes monumental faith. Faith to see qualities that are not visible – to see others not as they are, but as they may yet become. Show me a leader without vision and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. Effective leaders always keep their focus on the vision and the goal. Once the plan is made, they stay committed to the goal. Commitment separates the doers from the dreamers. I have seen many visionary leaders in the JCI movement who fell short of expectations because they were not committed. The only real measure of commitment is action. Nothing is easier than saying words. You may have probably heard many of our local and national presidents who mouth flowery promises during their induction ceremonies year after year. But nothing is harder than living them day after day. Finally, there is character. If there is any one thing that is evidenced by your daily choices it is your character. Anyone can say that he has integrity, but action is the real indicator of character. I truly believe what Thomas Macaulay said, “The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.” What do we do when no one's around? While being honest and honorable when others are watching is important, being true to one’s self is tantamount. While it would be easier to slide through life without vision, without commitment, without character, it would not be as fulfilling. Only by setting difficult goals and achieving them can we find true self-worth. JCI’s beginnings in the Philippines have been built by the entrepreneurial spirit and great faith of madmen 60 years ago. They were often dismissed by their friends and contemporaries as being insane – “why spend your precious time and effort at something that will not be financially rewarding?” “Why persist on something that cannot be done?” But persist they did and more. Now, JCI’s rich history in Asia can be traced back through their efforts. This was their legacy. But the JCI story in the Philippines should not end there. In order for that legacy to find its ultimate relevance, the final cornerstone in JCI’s future will be completed by people in this generation of JCI leaders. And this is not mere rhetoric. Because whatever happens, the fate of JCI Philippines will literally fall in their hands. This year’s installation as officers and members of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel could not have come at a better time for them and our national organization, which will be facing its most challenging crossroads that could spell survival or a death knell for the JCI movement. The challenges that our national organization – and our nation – are facing today requires of our officers the kind of sacrifice that our founders were called upon to make. It requires their best effort and their willingness to believe in themselves and to believe in their capacity to perform great deeds. Now is the time to show to the world what kind of leaders Filipino JCI Members – particularly what the officers and members of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel – are made of. My parting wish for them as leaders is that they will place their faith – and develop their own brand of madness – in seeing life not as it is, but as it should be.  Next TABLE TALK on 16 January 2009: Remembering 'Papa' Dave - JCI's Greatest Avatar of Passionate Leadership. JCI Philippines remembers the 10th Death Anniversary on Jan. 3, 2009 of the 1974 National President and 1975 World Vice President, JCI Sen. David Chua-Unsu. -- Editor
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