Whew, this is one interesting week within the first week of the month (of the new year)—a week of interviews and preparation.
This morning, I accepted another interview from another UP-Diliman student named Reina Angeline. I don’t know but I just don’t mind telling my stories and insights over and over again when people need it for academic purposes or for just anything that can help them pursue their dreams.
Reina Angeline Carmona with The LLOYDLUNA
As I told Reina, I’m not one of those CEOs he’d expect and imagine. I don’t much into wearing coat and tie except otherwise an event is requiring me to wear them. I also told her that there are CEOs who are business owners at the same time and some are simply hired to do the job. My case is rare as I don’t have too many people under me.
Management is very easy since my organization is very lean, too. But the challenge may be as huge as those running big companies with a greater number of people.
Of course there are upsides and downsides when it comes to comparison between myself and a highly paid Chief Executive. In my case, I don’t really have to lose much. And in fact even if I lose, I don’t think it matters as much as it would to someone who is hired to “execute” the job. If I fail, then I fail and I have a very limited damage to make.
For those who are running a pretty huge enterprise, the accountability is bigger—perhaps because the perks and benefits are big as well. But when I was asked about the characteristics of a great CEO, I said he should be someone who loves what he does, excited and enthusiastic about his job, and forward-looking.
It’s interesting that she asked me about my childhood leadership. But I told my stories anyway. Way back then, yes I would be elected as either a subject president or a leader in other school organizations. During those times, I think my classmates don’t really take the elections seriously—the reason why sometimes your command becomes only a request. Perhaps in our very minds, leadership is more on an activity rather than responsibility.
When I was working in a corporate environment, I realized that there’s still a part of that childhood experience. Some people under me would follow my instruction not because they want to do it but because they are bound by the idea of getting paid to follow. I’m talking in general terms though. Don’t get me wrong there are also some who would really follow you with all their hearts.
We finished the interview and I got a box of doughnuts called Cello’s Doughnuts and Dips from Katipunan Avenue. So there.
Then my afternoon is spent on putting some more contents for this website. You see we totally restructured this internet identity. And we’re on the process of putting some more information that we have in the former site. And we’re doing really a lot of works!
In the evening, I met with my accountant to arrange our business registration and permits. You see I make sure to put my hands and mind on almost every detail that I can attend to and this taxation thing is one of them. One discouraging event though is that one meeting was cancelled for a very interesting reason. It told me that the person in charge of this cellphone card political campaign material “only meet with the clients when closing a contract.”
I will make sure to find that perfect timing to name the person and the company. I don’t think this thinking and attitude will make this country a better place for all of us. I don’t need business as much as the business may need me because I am in close contacts with a good number of senatorial candidates from competing parties.
