For my Lasallian Business Leadership course, we watched several leadership and corporate social responsibility videos. They all concern ethical principles or frameworks. In another blog, I will discuss what I have learned with the ethical frameworks, but for this instance, I will focus on the two people who lead me to believe that a change in society is possible.
As a Lasallian for both my undergraduate and graduate studies, my journey as a student would never be complete without knowing the life and values of St. John Baptist De La Salle.
St. John Baptist De La Salle, Patron of Christian Teachers
La Salle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Catholic order whose members are called to teach rather than preside in a holy mass or perform other priestly duties. I witnessed the early struggles in establishing the institution from the video. He had problems with other teachers as they became different.
He initiated scheduled classes for the students in which one teacher could teach many students simultaneously. He also even had issues with a brother who claimed that the institution exploited his family, and it was like a betrayal to him. While watching the film, I reflected and saw that this incident was very similar to what Jesus had experienced. As Jesus has been preaching the good news of our salvation, He also struggled to fight for His teachings as many Pharisees challenged Him. Even then, Judas also betrayed Him. But in the end, they both taught and fulfilled their mission.
I am honestly inspired by how they fought with life using their vocation, to the point that this has been part of my life plan. Teaching is part of my goals in life, but viewing St. La Salle’s life and reflecting on it as a similar struggle with Jesus strengthened my passion. I have also realized that when answered and upheld in life, our calling or vocation leads to innovation in society. It may be easy for us to compare with others on what they have achieved and feel bad for ourselves, but as stated in my previous entry, we live on our timelines. It is simple. The reason why people succeed is they answer their calling, this is just what I should continue to do.
However, I may know what I want in life, or I should do, but this begs the question, “Well, you are all good with your plans, but how would you take those initial baby steps to fulfill your mission?” We watched another video in which Pat Gelsinger aids in answering this question.
Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel
As St. La Salle is an innovator in establishing the Catholic institution, Pat is an innovator in pursuing his goals. This innovation involves his capability to plan out his goals in life which eventually led him to become Intel’s CEO. While I was making my life plan, there seemed to be quite similar elements with Pat’s advice.
The first one is that I need to develop my personal mission statement. To be honest, it is quite easy to say that I want to teach and be a good business leader, but what makes it truly interesting is when he followed it with having a work-life balance where I should spend some of my time with my family, friends.
I remember how St. La Salle also tried to achieve work-life balance. He scheduled time with his students. He told the brothers to let the children play when they rest. I could see how much of this is truly relevant, as I did not have months of vacation ever since I graduated from college. Actually, I only had one day.
I could see myself getting some rest to allow myself to breathe and re-align with what I truly planned in my life. Carving time for work and leisure would lead me to Pat’s advice to become a great employee. I believe that without a work-life balance, I would not be productive. Hence I should take time to reflect upon what I wanted to do.
He further said something about having a mentor, which I would like to follow soon, but I am still challenged to find some friends who are willing to take time with me regarding these topics, such as career choices, but the search continues.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. He can be reached at mikhail_d_padilla@dlsu.edu.ph.
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.