Inside the mind of a woman

I attended a Leader’s Congress today. It was a very enlightening and empowering experience. Several speakers were invited to talk about their own personal journeys towards achieving their own excellence.

I want to share the key points and lessons I took away from the conference today.

Akiko Thompson – Filipina Olympian shares…

Find your talent. Find your skill and focus on that. What is important is to maintain the excellence and the passion. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

Roselle Ambubuyog – Filipina who graduated summa cum laude from the Ateneo De Manila University. Blind.

When faced with adversity, the first step to take is to take the first step.
Good leaders do the right things even when they are not sure if they will do things right.
Good character is not made in ease and quiet. Good character is made with experiences of trial and suffering.

Dr. Josette Biyo – Educator. Filipina who was chosen by MIT to name a minor planet after – Planet Biyo. She says…

Continue learning.. because you cannot give what you do not have.

Maria Ressa – Head of ABS CBN news and current affairs and ABS CBN News Channel (ANC).

Clarity of thought.
You have to have a vision and then work hard to make your vision a reality.

Of all these speakers, all of which moved me – I was most inspired by Maria Ressa. Her stories and her experiences in her 20 years of working as a journalist in CNN and now in the Philippines have provided a lot of insight to the strengths and weaknesses of our culture and how it can help or hinder our nation’s success.

She mentions that most of the time our “padrino system” – an example of which would be to network with influential people for your own purposes – when brought to the workplace hurts more than it helps. When loyalties are valued more than performance, then something is terribly wrong.

It is quite an experience to be part of this affair and I am glad I got the invitation to be part of it.

Empowerment. Leadership. Excellence.