Class Notes from Diwa Gacosta, EMDRCM 2020
Four years since completing my Master’s degree at the Asian Institute of Management, these statements I wrote have become my brand of leadership that I continue to grow.
LEAD WITH HUMILITY.
With grace, grit and determination, we have been pruned and refined as leaders. I’d like to hope and believe that our degree will keep us grounded and passionate to serve, and not feed our egos in a negative way. Lead with humility, I say.
BE DARING and FIRM.
While it is important to aim for unity, there is value to nurture dissenting voices. Inspire, lead and transform… these require truthfulness, empathy, courage and humility. We are all leaders who want to be better leaders. We are not giving others the opportunity to be so if we fail to challenge and inspire each other to step up.
MINDFULNESS, EMPATHY, and DISCERNMENT are OUR CURRENCY.
We learned that empathy is not just about our ability to sense and understand what others are going through. It is about having the humility and grace to correct and be corrected. We have never desired to leave anyone behind. But we too cannot force people to stay with us if they choose not to. We all have choices to make. May we use them well.
KEEP DREAMS ALIVE.
We were and will always be dreamers. Our dreams and how much we want to achieve our dreams, are not one-size-fits all. Some are more determined, some prefer to ride along.
BE READY TO FAIL. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT WINNING. BE KIND and FORGIVING, ESPECIALLY TO YOURSELF.
Leaders are molded not by triumphs alone. Leaders are molded and strengthened by failures, and willingness to stand up and march on.
I am part of pioneer batch of the Asian Institute of Management’s Executive Masters in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management. To my capstone mates, classmates, and professors who became my lifelong friends, mentors, and coaches, my heart is full. Let’s continue to lead forth.
