Leaders are important part of the society. Every society or institution needs a leader. Leaders are the ones to see to it that everything goes right and the structure is working well. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that there will always be defects in every society, but as much as possible, leaders should give their best in making and implementing solutions to these defects. If they can see that the structure is not working, then they must change the structure. Leaders have to be moderate in their “being leaders.” What I mean is that, leaders must not be in the two extremes: the “commanding-leader” and the “industrious-leader.” To be a leader is not only about commanding and commanding to ones members. It is also important that as leader, one has to do some dirty works (hands on) with his/her members. Another thing is that, to be a leader is not necessarily that one has to do all the works needed to be done. A leader also has to divide the tasks to his/her members and push them to do their assigned works. Leaders are not above/superior than its members. They are just the representative or the voice of the people.
John Locke, one of the influential political philosophers, is known in his emphasis on the natural laws of man more than the natural rights. Natural laws refer to the laws that are understood to be given. Because of their being given, these laws need no more definition or further explanation. If they are defined or explained, their definition and explanation are loose. These laws are considered as absolute. They are known by the natural reason. Hobbes on the other hand, emphasized man’s natural rights more than the natural laws. Natural rights refer to the rights of man. It focuses on man’s privileges. In relation to leadership, there are two kinds of leaders: the “servant-leader” and the “served-leader.” “Servant-leaders” are the leaders who focus in the natural laws of man. Because they focus in the natural laws, their very concern is their duties. They would always consider first their responsibilities, their duties to the society and the people living there. Their very priority is to do their duties and serve the people. That is why, they are called servant-leaders because doing their duty (connected to their being a leader) is in itself a service (service to the people). On the other hand, “served-leaders” are those leaders who focus on their natural rights as leaders. Because they focus on their rights, their very concern is the privileges they can get from their position/title. Their focus is not anymore in their work, but in the rewards given to them by their “being-leaders.” If they focus in the rewards/privileges and not in their duties, there is a big possibility that their power will eat and corrupt them.
Being a leader always comes with duties and privileges (Duties and Privileges). They always coexist with each other. It is in the matter of what the leader would prioritize between the two (Duties or Privileges). Good leaders usually focus their self in their duties and not in the privileges they can get from their position. Prioritizing their duties is not self-serving. It is always for the good of all. Duty is equal to service. True leaders are those leaders that really serve the people. On the other hand, bad leaders (usually the corrupt ones) are those leaders who focus their self in the privileges and benefits they can get from their position. Because of their focus to privileges, they are not sincere in their “being leaders” because the truth is, they are after the benefits of being a leader which is self-serving.
The Challenge- In relation to the Seminary…
The St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary is an institution that produces leaders of the church, state and even different (small/big) organizations. It has produced the likes of Jaime Cardinal Sin, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Martin Delgado, Quintin Salas and large number of priests and bishops. It also produced people with mastery in different kinds of art. There are also a number of ex-seminarians who are now successful in their chosen fields. In other words, the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary is not only a formation house for those who aspire to become priests, but also a training ground for the future leaders both of the church and the state. The seminary teaches not only how to lead, but also the morals to consider in leading. Being a seminarian is in itself a challenge. It is a challenge to prove that the seminary produces good leaders of the church and state.
John Locke, one of the influential political philosophers, is known in his emphasis on the natural laws of man more than the natural rights. Natural laws refer to the laws that are understood to be given. Because of their being given, these laws need no more definition or further explanation. If they are defined or explained, their definition and explanation are loose. These laws are considered as absolute. They are known by the natural reason. Hobbes on the other hand, emphasized man’s natural rights more than the natural laws. Natural rights refer to the rights of man. It focuses on man’s privileges. In relation to leadership, there are two kinds of leaders: the “servant-leader” and the “served-leader.” “Servant-leaders” are the leaders who focus in the natural laws of man. Because they focus in the natural laws, their very concern is their duties. They would always consider first their responsibilities, their duties to the society and the people living there. Their very priority is to do their duties and serve the people. That is why, they are called servant-leaders because doing their duty (connected to their being a leader) is in itself a service (service to the people). On the other hand, “served-leaders” are those leaders who focus on their natural rights as leaders. Because they focus on their rights, their very concern is the privileges they can get from their position/title. Their focus is not anymore in their work, but in the rewards given to them by their “being-leaders.” If they focus in the rewards/privileges and not in their duties, there is a big possibility that their power will eat and corrupt them.
Being a leader always comes with duties and privileges (Duties and Privileges). They always coexist with each other. It is in the matter of what the leader would prioritize between the two (Duties or Privileges). Good leaders usually focus their self in their duties and not in the privileges they can get from their position. Prioritizing their duties is not self-serving. It is always for the good of all. Duty is equal to service. True leaders are those leaders that really serve the people. On the other hand, bad leaders (usually the corrupt ones) are those leaders who focus their self in the privileges and benefits they can get from their position. Because of their focus to privileges, they are not sincere in their “being leaders” because the truth is, they are after the benefits of being a leader which is self-serving.
The Challenge- In relation to the Seminary…
The St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary is an institution that produces leaders of the church, state and even different (small/big) organizations. It has produced the likes of Jaime Cardinal Sin, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Martin Delgado, Quintin Salas and large number of priests and bishops. It also produced people with mastery in different kinds of art. There are also a number of ex-seminarians who are now successful in their chosen fields. In other words, the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary is not only a formation house for those who aspire to become priests, but also a training ground for the future leaders both of the church and the state. The seminary teaches not only how to lead, but also the morals to consider in leading. Being a seminarian is in itself a challenge. It is a challenge to prove that the seminary produces good leaders of the church and state.
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