When we say "leader" or "leadership," we often equate it with someone who has a swashbuckling personality. These are people who stand out among many because they dare to assume leadership roles when others do not. They admonish their subordinates not only on the basis of their position but also on the strength of their character and personality.
My Insights, Reflections and Commentaries on Human Behavior in Organization. I provide Talks, Online Classes and Tutoring on HBO. My email: mjdasma@gmail.com
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Gentleness as a means of leadership
When we say "leader" or "leadership," we often equate it with someone who has a swashbuckling personality. These are people who stand out among many because they dare to assume leadership roles when others do not. They admonish their subordinates not only on the basis of their position but also on the strength of their character and personality.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Can consideration be an instrument of motivation?
The story is told about an employee who requested his boss to grant him a few days off because he needed to attend to a personal family matter. After asking a few validating questions, the boss said yes!
Consideration
is a powerful instrument of motivation, particularly in the context of
leadership and human behavior in organizational relationships. It refers to the
act of showing empathy for an employee’s needs and well-being. When leaders and
managers exercise consideration, it influences motivation.
For example,
trust, respect, and obedience are strengthened: when direct reports are
listened to, understood, and valued, they are more likely to trust, respect,
and obey the person showing consideration. This positive dynamic in human
behavior gives birth to genuine motivation.
It is a
well-known reality in organizational life that when direct reports are shown
consideration, they become more engaged and committed to their work. They
develop a sense of ownership because they feel that their contributions matter
and are recognized. This kind of engagement leads to increased motivation and
dedication to achieving organizational goals.
Moreover,
consideration helps create an environment of psychological safety, where
subordinates and direct reports feel comfortable taking risks, expressing
ideas, and being vulnerable—without fear of judgment or punishment. Such an
environment fosters creativity, innovation, and intrinsic motivation.
To sum it
up, consideration plays a crucial role in enhancing employee motivation. It
helps build a positive and supportive organizational atmosphere and strengthens
the relationship between leaders and their employees.
However, it must also be said that consideration can be subject to abuse by unscrupulous employees. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the leader or manager to carefully evaluate when and how consideration is granted. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Friday, March 17, 2023
Are you a Positive Leader?
A positive leader is someone who uses humane and democratic methods in the exercise of his or her leadership. For example, when imposing discipline—such as giving a verbal reprimand—he always ensures that it is done in private, where no one else is aware of it except the parties involved.
He does not shout at his subordinates; instead, he speaks to them in a civilized manner. He does this to let them know that there’s always a chance to correct their behavior.
This is consistently the behavior of a positive leader. His goal
is always to correct and motivate—not to destroy the morale of his
subordinates. He constantly thinks of ways to make everyone in the organization
a contributor to its growth.
Another quality of a positive leader is his infectious, positive
outlook on life. You would never see him frown. Even during trying times, he
wears an optimistic smile on his face. This is an admirable trait in a leader
because his positive and hopeful attitude will certainly rub off on his
subordinates.
A positive leader is also very accessible to everyone. He does not
create silos or walls that cause alienation and division within the organization.
He is neither egocentric nor a power tripper; rather, he is a model of humility
and hard work.
Just imagine an organization led by a positive leader—he will certainly bring the organization to greater heights. He will also be a strong, positive influence on his subordinates. We, therefore, must embrace positive leadership in our own leadership practice, because it is the only way to become good and effective leaders. — Marino J. Dasmarinas
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
The importance of Moral Ascendancy in Leadership
The story is told about a leader who had been espousing ethical and good leadership to his people.
It was smooth sailing for his leadership during the first year. But after that, his lack of moral ascendancy began to unravel. There were allegations of lavish partying, corruption, womanizing, breach of discipline, abuse of authority—to name a few.
What is moral ascendancy?
Moral ascendancy is the influence that a leader holds over his people through moral, ethical, and righteous leadership. A leader who lacks moral ascendancy will not last long in his leadership position.
Sooner or later, the people under his leadership will come to realize that he no longer holds the moral high ground to lead them. And what will they do? They will begin to protest against the morally deficient leader to show that he is no longer fit to lead.
This protest could eventually lead to the leader’s resignation—that is, if he is sensitive to the pulse of his people. But if he chooses to cling to his position, power, and authority, he must be prepared to face the wrath of his constituents.
Moral ascendancy is critically important in leadership, whether in government or in the private sector, because there can be no successful or effective leadership without it.
How can a leader effectively lead if the respect he receives from his people or subordinates is only a façade? How can he communicate his ideas clearly and persuasively if people no longer listen because his moral authority is eroding? How can a leader command discipline and respect if his own behavior lacks discipline and respect?
If a leader aspires to be successful in his exercise of leadership, and if he desires to build a lasting legacy, he must ensure that he is not only competent—but also morally upright. He must possess the moral ascendancy to lead.
Otherwise, his leadership is like a beautiful castle built on sand along the seashore. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
The Importance of Consistency in Leadership
Mr. X is a newly designated manager in a government office. Upon assuming his new leadership role, he immediately laid out his goals. He stated the targets he wanted to achieve and emphasized the discipline he expected to be strictly observed by his subordinates. During his first few months, he was successful in fulfilling his leadership duties.
However, after a year, he noticed a significant decline in
the performance of his subordinates. The discipline within the office had also
noticeably diminished.
He reflected deeply on the declining achievements and behavior
of his team. Yet, he could not identify anything in himself that might have
contributed to this decline—until he consulted a university professor who was
an expert in organizational behavior.
After a week of observation and analysis, the professor focused
on how Mr. X had been exercising his leadership and managerial functions. He
then asked the manager a simple yet profound question: “Are you still
consistent in how you exercise your leadership functions?”
This question made Mr. X think seriously about how he had
been performing as a leader. Upon honest self-evaluation, he realized that he
had lost the discipline he once had. He was no longer as people-oriented as
before.
The professor told him that the problem lay in his lack of
consistency in leadership. He further advised him to rekindle the same passion
and determination he had when he first took on the role.
Mr. X took the professor’s advice to heart. After a short
period of renewed effort, the office was back on its feet. Targets were once
again being met, and the discipline and motivation of his subordinates were
restored.
Every now and then, the issue of consistency in leadership
becomes a challenge that many leaders and managers face. The passage of time
and temporary success can breed complacency—an attitude that is dangerous for
any leader. A good leader is someone who remains consistent in his or her
leadership, no matter the circumstances.
This kind of consistency is currently being exemplified by
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has never wavered in his leadership
from the very first day that Ukraine was suddenly invaded by the vastly
superior Russian Armed Forces on February 24.
And yet, despite Russia’s military advantage, it has failed to take over a single Ukrainian city. This resilience can be attributed to President Zelenskyy’s consistent leadership. He continues to embody strength and courage—remaining visible on the ground and on social media—as if it were still the very first day of the war. — Marino J. Dasmarinas
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A Heroic, Inspiring, and Shining Leadership Masterclass
The man of the hour right now is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His name, videos, and quotes are trending across the world of social media. Why? Because he dared to confront, head-on, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s immoral, unprovoked, and inhuman war against his sovereign nation.
It all began on Thursday, February 24, when Putin’s tanks, missiles, and other instruments of war and destruction rumbled through targeted cities in Ukraine—most notably the capital, Kyiv, where the seat of power is located. Given President Putin’s overwhelming military strength and nuclear armaments, the world assumed it would be a cakewalk for Russia. But it was not. In fact, it is shaping up to be a quagmire for Putin and his military cohorts.
Hours before Ukraine was invaded by Russian armed forces, President Zelenskyy, in a video address, warned Putin by saying:"When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs."
On February 25, the morning after Russian missiles rained down and tanks rolled into Ukraine, Zelenskyy posted a video defiantly vowed to stay and fight. He said:“I am here. We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this.”
These courageous words from Zelenskyy galvanized and inspired his people to hold the line—no matter the odds. What leadership lessons can we derive from this video of Zelenskyy and his subsequent pronouncements?
Lesson Number One: Great leaders such as Zelenskyy always lead the way and show the way. This means they are in the thick of things—they're in the trenches, giving orders and fighting alongside their people, not hiding in the safety of luxurious and secure offices. When the U.S. offered him a safe exit from his besieged nation, he stood his ground and courageously said: "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride."
Lesson Number Two: Great leaders are effective communicators. They use social media to their advantage and carefully craft their messages. They promptly communicate what needs to be said. In times of crisis, delays can cost a leader dearly—in reputation, character, and authority. Zelenskyy is a master communicator, owing to his background as an actor and comedian. He flawlessly conveyed messages of defiance and unity to his soldiers, his people, and the global community.
Lesson Number Three: Great leaders project strength and calmness at all times. Why? So they can inspire, guide, and motivate their people to resist oppressors—no matter how powerful they may be. In the now-iconic video, Zelenskyy’s face was the epitome of bravery, composure, and defiance, with a historic, well-fortified building as his backdrop.
Lesson Number Four: Great leaders are not afraid to ask for help—they show vulnerability. On the second day of the attack, when Ukraine’s situation seemed dire, Zelenskyy didn’t hesitate to say: “Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid.” “We’re defending our country alone. The most powerful forces in the world are watching this from a distance.” Hours later, pledges of support—military aid, weaponry, and humanitarian assistance—began to pour in.
Lesson Number Five: Great leaders have a positive mindset, are effective motivators, and have a vision. Even as the violent forces of war were unleashed against Ukraine, Zelenskyy addressed his people and security forces with these inspiring words: “Our military, our national guard, our national police, our territorial defense, special services, nationals of Ukraine—please carry on. We will win.”
Why did he say this despite the overwhelming odds? Because he knew that high morale and unyielding spirit are key to defending a nation. And President Zelenskyy is succeeding—because he, his nation, and his people continue to hold back the violent tide of Russian aggression.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s courageous and inspiring leadership masterclass is a real-life saga unfolding before our very eyes and ears. It showcases his extraordinary leadership, from which we can draw countless insights as we lead our own respective organizations.
Are you learning gems of insight from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s courageous and inspiring leadership masterclass?
Let us continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. Let us pray for Vladimir Putin’s enlightenment, that he may end the unprovoked war he started. And let us pray for the suffering people and nation of Ukraine.— Marino J. Dasmarinas
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
When you Impose discipline impose it with civility and respect
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Secure leaders vis-à-vis insecure leaders
In a faraway kingdom lived an insecure leader who was about to end his term. So, he said to his underlings: “I want you to highlight all the accomplishments that I did during my term.” His minions were in a quandary on how they would undertake his order because he had nothing to show but his incompetence, arrogance, autocracy and laziness.
Effective, secure and humble leaders would never be concerned if their accomplishments during their term of office would be noticed or not. Why? Because they are secure with what they have accomplished. They know in their hearts that during their incumbency they had laser like focus on their Mission and Vision for their organization. And they saw to it that they were surrounded with the best intellectual minds that would help them achieve their Mission and Vision.
On the other hand, insecure leaders will always crave for attention. They would normally do this by using bombastic words or words that would picture them as having a strong character and personality. Insecure leaders are not consultative they would decide based on their whims and caprices without regard for the greater good. What is important for them is they are able to bulldoze their own personal agendas.
But a leader who is secure in his leadership will not be afraid to make decisions that are unpopular. Because he knows that his unpopular decision will be for the long term welfare of the people under his organization.
At the end of the day, leaders are not judged by their present actions
and accomplishments. They are judged by history and the legacies that they have
built and left behind. For example, how they’ve improve the well being of their
people, how they were able to enhance the financial wealth of their
organization/country. How they’ve fought for the welfare of their people and
organization against a bully organization/country and so forth. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Sunday, January 10, 2021
The price of manipulative Leadership style
The story is told about a politician who cannot accept that he lost an election contest. So, he fed his rabid supporters a false narrative that he was cheated. But whenever he was asked to provide evidence about his allegation he could not present any.
His narrative of being cheated struck a chord among his rabid supporters that they believe it hook line and sinker. Hence, the losing politician told his rabid supporters to be ready to protest and they marched and protested.
However, during the day of the protest the losing politician was nowhere to be found he simply let his supporters undertake the protest. Unfortunately it turned violent and there were casualties among the politician’s supporters and the authorities. An investigation was conducted by the police and they found out that the losing politician fed his rabid supporters the false narrative that he was cheated. Therefore the manipulative, arrogant and egotistical politician was arrested and was put in jail.
Manipulative leaders/managers exist in every area of an organization. They are arrogant, brash and egotistic. They exist not to serve their organization but to serve their own selfish interest and agenda in the organization. They will do everything including feeding their direct reports and subordinates false narratives for them to survive. And they would be quite successful in using their manipulative leadership for a certain period of time.
But leaders who employ behaviors that are deceiving and manipulative do not last for long. They are sooner or later exposed for their insidious behaviors and actions. Not only that they are exposed for who they really are they are also severely punished by laws that measures up to their crimes and they are judged harshly by history. Why? Because that’s the steep price that they have to pay.
Do you know a leader/manager that has a manipulative behavior? – Marino
J. Dasmarinas
Friday, October 23, 2020
On undesirable behavior
Once upon a time there was a professor who had a group of favorite students. Whenever there was a recitation he would always call upon this select group of students. He was confident with them for the reason that whenever they were called they would always give a satisfactory answer.
But as the days of his class were progressing he noticed also a sudden change on the behaviors of his favored students. They started to behave abrasively they would react to questions even if the questions are not meant for them to answer. So the professor thought of a strategy on how to stop their undesirable behavior.
During their succeeding classes he did not anymore call on them during recitations. He also distanced himself from them unlike before where he would easily open conversation with them. By doing this the professor sent a strong message to his former favored students that he means business and he doesn't want any misbehavior in his class. Soon enough their undesirable behavior stopped.
In an organizational setting a manager/leader deals with a lot of behavioral idiosyncrasies. There would be direct reports or subordinates who would always try to get your attention as if to tell you that they know more than their co-employees. Or they know more than what you know and they would somehow try to dominate you. The moment you fail to properly handle this kind of employees they would become a behavioral nightmare for you.
So what must you do as a manager/leader? Start by keeping your distance from them. If before there was no space that divides you; start by creating an invisible demarcation line so that they would know their limits and the proper respect that they must observe over you.
This doesn't mean that you will not be accessible to your direct reports
and subordinates anymore. This simply means that they must learn to respect you
because of the position that you hold in your office. And you must act
respectably as well because respect is always two way traffic as the saying
goes, “Respect begets respect.” - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Thursday, August 13, 2020
The power of positive mindset #mjdasma
The story is told about Jacinda, a Chief Executive Officer who noticed the weary behavior among her subordinates since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The usual happy, lively, and bubbly behaviors among her subordinates were no longer there. So, she thought of a way to bring back their motivation; otherwise, if she did not, it would surely be the end of their organizational life.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
When we are overly conscious of our titles
Friday, July 10, 2020
The three primary leadership skills
Simply put, Conceptual skill is the ability of the leader/manager to think on how he can successfully Lead, Manage and Grow his organization. That will not only benefit his organization but also benefit his employees and the environment at large.
Thursday, July 2, 2020
On jokes and leadership
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
The best Leadership Trait
A Leader/Manager gains tons of respect from his people when he is always there to help them. When he dives with his people in the sea of problems that they are in. By doing so, he earns their respect and commitment. Thus, he further inspires them to be his committed team members in the achievement of his goals.
Are we the kind of leader/manager who knows how to inspire our people? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Let us not let social media dictate upon us
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Leadership, Organizational Culture and the Covid-19 pandemic
A good and competent Culture also attracts the best and brightest work force. For the reason that everyone would want to work for a company that has a good organizational culture. Who would not like to work for an organization that has a competent organizational culture?