LEADERS in our community are facing challenges right now. The Covid-19 pandemic and typhoon Odette are contributing to these challenges. Leadership skills of a leader play a vital role in coping with challenging situations. Government agencies and education organizations need leaders who can effectively and skillfully navigate complex and changing situations in the future. Views about men and women and their effectiveness in certain aspects of leadership differ somewhat by gender. Does gender matter in leadership? What makes an effective leader? How does leadership affect the impact of their service to the community?
An author and philosopher Ryan Holiday once wrote in his article, “See things for what they are. Do what we can. Endure and bear what we must. What blocked the path, now is the path. What once impeded action, advances action. The obstacle is the way.” This quote is appropriate for the present challenges we have in the department and in the local government units. Moments of significant change are hard especially for those who are public servants expected to lead, direct, command, and produce significant results in the community they are serving.
The Local Government Unit of Loon under the administration of Hon. Mayor Elvi Peter L. Relampagos, through the Office of Hon. Councilor Marie Hazel R. Saavedra the Committee on Family and Gender and Development initiated and conducted the Transformational Leadership Training for Female Barangay Officials of Loon last October 13, 2022, at the Loon Activity Center. This training was aimed to empower the leadership skills of these female officials. As a leader and public servants in their respective barangays, they are expected to act, to do something in the face of crushing uncertainty, and to look at the challenges with a silver lining, to determine the positive and effective outcome of their endeavors.
Among the 47 municipalities, LGU Loon has pioneered the training by collaborating with DepEd Bohol – Loon North District in facilitating the event and invited resource speakers who are known for their advocacy in leadership. Facilitators were trained leaders of Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP). The training was made possible and successful through the collaborative efforts of LGU Loon and DepEd Loon North under the supervision of the Public Schools District Supervisor, Maria Mel H. Belano. Invited eloquent resource speakers who facilitated the training were: Ma. Maya V. Tumalon, Ph.D., MDM – Division GAD Focal Person; Dr. Sarah T. Mortejo – PSDS of Balilihan District; Junevir I. Cabrera – GAD District Coordinator; and Cherry Ann C. Orcullo, Ph.D. – GAD District Co-Coordinator. Cecilia R. Pizarras, GSP District Field Adviser also graced the training with her wisdom in the field of scouting and leadership. The training was eagerly attended by female barangay official representatives from the 67 Barangays.
A recent study conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership has found that there is a leadership gap between the readiness of the current leaders and their leadership skills and that little progress has been made in addressing it. The first person one needs to lead is himself. By keeping personal leadership front and center, leaders can focus their attention on the things they can immediately have an impact on as a leader – the people, the constituents, and the community in general. Being mindful of one’s actions result in progress and harmonious relationship. This holds not only for leaders but also for educators in the
school.
Being a transformational leader means having a positive impact on the people you are serving for, serving with, and the community you are living together. It is being compassionate and making efforts to understand the team and the members through a lens of kindness. Leading people in times of pandemic and crisis is scary, it’s uncertain and challenging. It entails great effort, commitment, passion, and a firm decision to serve regardless of the circumstances. The only way leaders can get through all the challenges is by doing it together.
Remarkable views on gender and political leadership compared men and women in terms of their leadership skills. Compared to the number and share of the population, women remain underrepresented at all levels of elected office. However, a strong majority of Filipinos say women and men make equally good political leaders. The true essence of leadership lies not in the number of years in service, but it is the impact you have on the people in the community, it is the number of lives you have empowered, and the progress you have made.
