The KAIROS of Leadership

I was inspired to write this piece after attending a mass in the Parish of Don Bosco in Makati City. The homily of the priest-celebrant was all about LIFE. Life as we know it is a gift from God and should not be abused in a manner that will endanger its sanctity. I reflected and remained silent for a moment and realized that my life in the ministry of leadership (nation building) is worth sharing with others.

The Advent

I was frequently invited to numerous leadership training and conferences, and I find this question very common of them all - "How did you start as a leader?" My answer will always be the same, I told them, "I don't know, it comes out naturally and poof! I just woke up one morning enjoying helping other people to be the best they truly can be.". To me, leadership must be a common knowledge or skill that is meant to be shared with other people. The coming of this gift to my life maximizes the opportunity to help my fellow youth achieve their full potential. 

Candid Leadership

Allow me to share this story with you, one time I was moderating a panel discussion of invited guests who are leaders in their own sphere of influences speaking in front of an audience who are participants to an annual leadership camp we are organizing in the Central Luzon region. I asked the panelists, "For whom/what you rise in the morning? (Para kanino/saan ka bumabangon sa umaga?)" It came from a popular ad from a coffee brand. One of them answered, "For those who believe in me that I can do something, that something that can make a difference and can infect a lot of changes in our community."  I was so shocked hearing that answer, to me, asking that kind of question is somehow to lighten the mood of the discussion but what I got is a very inspiring piece candidly sealed and delivered right into our midst. 

That opportune moment...

Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). To the sophists (the wise men of the ancient world), it is an ability to adapt to and take advantage of changing, contingent circumstances. And the whole point of this essay is to help you how to identify your Kairos in your personal struggle and challenge to escape leadership into your life. I was once told by my mentor and I quote "Darren, worry not about other things that does not matter in your life, instead, learn how to love. Remember, what is significant is the love coming out of you and not the one everyone has for you. Because by truly loving the person [people], that is the love that really makes a difference.  

We are all given a chance to be of great help to other people. Most of us desired to be great leaders. But only a few of us realized how to wait for God's perfect time - waiting for the Kairos of our life. 

Why I do Nation Building stuff?

Many of my friends are wondering why I am too committed to do stuff for free. Or maybe they are just thinking that I am not serious about my career or even my life in the future.

My answer will always and forever will be different from what they thought it was. I do these things because to me, it is my civic and social duty to help other people in many ways possible. I started my involvement in "Nation Building" even before my selection as one of the delegates in the 12th Ayala Young Leaders Congress in 2010, but of course my participation in the said gathering of bright young leaders fueled my passion and commitment to help fellow Filipinos in my capacity as an advocate for community and youth development.

I have been to many organizations, groups and even institutions working toward the development of our communities. Each experience is unique from each other, you get to know more about yourself while volunteering for an activity. Being a Nation Builder is very fulfilling indeed.

One of the turning points of my journey in this endeavor was in 2011, when we are asked together with other fellow Ayala Young Leaders alumni to help an army unit in Bulacan to conduct a program for young people entitled Youth Leadership Summit.  AND THE REST WAS HISTORY.

Fast Forward...

Today, I served as Executive Director to Central Luzon - Leadership and Empowerment Alliance for Development or CL-LEAD. This is the alliance of organizations including the 18th Special Forces Company of the Philippine Army, the Ayala Young Leaders Alumni Association-Central Luzon, the Hagonoy Young Leaders Program and the Society of Young Leaders for Environmental Concerns that run the series of youth and community development initiatives annually. The alliance (as we fondly called our organization) is working together in different environmental, social and educational projects that will help our constituents in the Central Luzon region.

Infusing the principles of Servant Leadership and Love of Country we, in the alliance are very positive that CHANGE is very possible if we could just set aside our differences and work together for a common goal. Nation Building is a shared social responsibility. It is meant to lived and fulfilled rather than to become a long shattered dream for a better Philippines.

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