July 1, 2016: A funny thing happened on the way to...
Self-discovery and surrender.
Fellow Toastmasters and friends, I learned this the hard way two years ago. You see, two years ago, I thought that I had everything going as a Division C Director for Toastmasters District 75. I thought that the team and I hit the ground running at the start of our terms; I always believed that we would achieve the goals for Division C that year, because I knew we had a solid, no perfect, team. Chappy version 2015-2016 was always on top of things, always club-hopping, always pushing her area directors to perform, and always asking members to deliver speeches.
Micro-managing was the key, with the push for the area directors to use every conceivable manual available in the Toastmasters website. If there was no manual, we’d whip one up. We’d make sure to document these processes as well. Oh boy, we were masters in handling contests, handling branding, handling demonstration meetings, and handling club governance. And we were proud of that. Perfection and fidelity to the protocol were important, and that became the “tatak” of the team.
On July 1, 2016, I found myself in Manila in a roomful of Toastmasters who were to serve the district for the 2016-2017 term. In between training sessions, I found myself crying, knowing fully well that the club we formed for the term 2015-2016 would not beat the deadline of June 30, 2016.
Suffice it to say, the division suffered a major loss (a newly created club did not renew after just a year of existence, and the club we tried to create to cover for the loss did not beat the deadline) which disqualified the division from achieving the distinguished division status.
Not many people know of that fact. What the members knew was that the team was always visible and readily approachable. And yet at that time, July 1, 2016, two years ago today, my world was crushed. My ego was crushed along with it, compounded by the fact that other division directors were celebrating successes for their own divisions.
I was ready to hand in the reins to a good friend, (I had no choice!) praying for him to do better. At the back of my mind, a leader who does not push for results is merely a spectator. I felt I was merely a spectator.
Yet, a wonderful thing happened on the way… to Cebu at the airport. I felt I grew years older and grew wiser overnight. It came with self-discovery, and surrender.
I knew enough not to make a state of the division address, oh no! It would have been an emotional engagement for me. But I knew enough to acknowledge that with the leadership of Richard, some plans would finally be realized for the division.
The leadership experience was just irreplaceable. If I were to repeat the stint, I would not change anything (except my focus on perfection, my strictness on protocol, and my attention to process— that is a lot, right?). But seriously, I would focus more on peopledevelopment laid on the foundation of love. I realized that I had to change the culture of heart if I wanted to put forward the culture of effective people-development. At the end of the day, what matters most to followers is the love they feel from the leader.
What about surrender? I thought that I was done as a leader in Toastmasters. All I really had to do was to surrender… to know that I have done enough. And even if people thought I had not done enough, to know that I was enough. The team was enough. We were enough!
An effective leader discovers himself along the way. He becomes aware of his talents, and skills, and perceives and maximizes the talents and skills of his team. He is committed. He hones his leadership style by adapting to the dynamics and energies of his team. He masters self-control when he is able to surrender pride, perfection, and process-orientation, and focuses on people, excellence, and diversity.
A sad thing would have happened if I met Chappy two years ago. I would have pitied her! Yet, two years ago today, I would not have imagined a better, happier, less-OC Chappy version 2018. That version exists today.
In celebration of the two years of self-discovery and surrender, I write this speech. A snappy salute to the committed club officers and district leaders of District 75 as they start the term today, July 1, 2018, full of positive energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. My wishes and prayers go to you for your happy encounters on the way to meet better versions of yourselves!
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Chappy is a member of The Queen City Toastmasters Club. The club meets every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at Salt Restaurant, St. Patrick’s Square, near Redemptorist Church, at 6 p.m. Like the FB Page of the club.