St.
John Baptiste De La Salle, as a Saint, was totally unfamiliar to me until I
watched the movie Who Are My Own. He was indeed a great person and he stood by
his mission and belief despite of numerous criticism and challenges. What is
more admirable about is that we willingly gave up his wealth and social status
just to serve and fulfill his mission.
Below
are some of his traits and some examples on how we can model our lives as
Lasallian Business Leaders:
Risk
Taker
St.
La Salle is a risk taker in the sense he whole-heartedly gave up his Canonship
and his family’s wealth to pursue his mission and live a life of poverty. This
decision will surely appear crazy for many. But St. La Salle did not mind of
his family’s wealth and what sacrifices he needs to make. He has a mission and
vision and that is to educate the poor and establish schools at every corner of
the world to serve the poor. Such decision of St. La Salle is difficult and
risky. Imagine the wealth he decided to forego for something that he has no
assurance of. As La Sallian business leaders, we may model this trait by
sharing our effort and time to the needy. Such time can be considered wealth
nowadays and spending them outside work and business to help other may not
yield profit. Spending time for other to help will make a difference on their
lives. Such difference will definitely be bigger compared to the amount of
money that a person could have earned on that day.
Innovator
St.
La Salle is an innovator by means of introducing a new method of teaching.
Though this was challenged and opposed during his time, he continued to apply
his method because he believed that the current practice was not effective. He
introduced the classroom style of teaching, which is used by almost all schools
nowadays. As Lasallian Business leaders,
we should continuously look for opportunities where we can improve, may it be
for our own self or for the business. Challenges would come along our way but
we should stand on our belief just like St. La Salle especially if we know that
it will benefit the majority.
Servant
Leader
St.
La Salle was a great leader to his team. Though we came from a wealthy family,
he was a leader, at the same time, a servant. He led by example and showed his
heart to them. He was a leader with a heart. As Lasallian Leaders, we should
always bear in mind that we were given the position not just to give orders and
make things happen for the business. More importantly, we should be able to
inspire and make a positive impact on our subordinates’ lives.
Mentor
As a
mentor, St. La Salle provided guidance to his fellow brothers on how to carry
out their mission. He stood by them in times of challenges. He was also a
mentor to his students and he was loved because of this. As leaders, we can be a mentor to our
colleagues by collaborating with them and giving them guidance on how to
execute their tasks and responsibilities. We should provide feedback constructively
for their improvement and praise them for their successes.
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