The Leader

“Into every life a little rain must fall. But every once in a while, that rain becomes a deluge, especially when personal problems become too much for one person to handle” (Love, 1).

The start of second semester for us, graduating students, was as promising as the very first day that we entered the university. We have passed the initiation of being a freshman, undergone a couple of On-the-Job trainings, and survived a lot of exams and recitations. One more lap and we are heading to the finish line. As we stepped inside a familiar classroom, we were all cheerful and relaxed. Never did it crossed our minds that we would be in for a challenge that would not only dared to test our teamwork, but would also measured how much we were willing to risk just to survived in the end.

And it came very soon, in the form of Feasibility Study. I was appointed as a leader for Group 1. First month was fine; we were all busy and excited. We have finished the outline and the first three parts of the study. At that time, we only have two weeks left to finished the last and the most crucial part of the study, the Financial Aspect. And since we only have been taught about the basics of accounting, we found it difficult to project our financial study. So I sought for an assistance of a Certified Public Accountant. I found one, and he willingly accepted my offer but in one condition that I would pay him 13, 000 Pesos. For me, the amount was fair enough since; he even offered to revise our study to make it more realistic. But what had surprised me was the reaction of the rest of my members when I explained them my proposal. They contradicted me in raised voices so I answered them at the same pitch that if they don’t agreed with my plan, they should finished the last aspect themselves. They were just silent for a while and finally surrendered. I thought they already understand what I was trying to point out in doing such decision. Two weeks later, the study was finished, 13,000 Pesos was paid, and we passed our defense. The challenge was over, we no longer need to work as a team, and the atmosphere has changed.

“Life is a continuous journey beset with problems. As long as we live in this world, problems and troubles will always be a part and parcel of human experience. On some occasions, we may be blessed with gain, fame, praise or happiness; and we may also face the unfavorable situations of loss, ill-fame, blame and pain. Life swings like a pendulum. One moment, it swings towards favorable conditions which we receive so heartily; at another moment, it swings towards unfavorable conditions which we so desperately seek to avoid” (Dhammananda, 14-15)

It happened. One of my worst nightmares came to life. My friends threw me out of the circle. And I was left all alone.

Christmas time came. It was the saddest Yuletide Season I have ever experienced in my whole life. At one point, I thought about what happened to me in the past two months. I remembered the incident of fighting with my friends and forcing them to agree with me. We might have discovered a more effective plan if only I didn’t insisted that my suggestion was the very right one. I realized I have used my power and authority for the wrong purpose. I haven’t
listened to their reasons. Therefore, it is true that I am not a good leader after all. Not a good friend either for I have failed to recognized that even if they were my members and I am their leader, they were still my friends. I should have respected their opinions no matter how loud and irritating their voices were that time. Now I fully understand that what happened to our friendship was entirely my fault. And it made me feel miserable.

After Christmas vacation, one of my friends, a previous member of my group, approached me and offered me a book, telling me that she had just finished reading it and suggested that I should read it because she knew I will liked it. After spending some moments just looking at her, I accepted the book and took the courage and asked her a favor to go with me inside the classroom and talked to our other friends. She agreed and inside the room, at first I couldn’t say anything. I was just standing in front of them and they were all staring at me. Then, I apologized. I thought it would be hard for them to forgive me but again, I have been wrong. They didn’t even wait for my explanations. They just accepted my sorry and welcomed me back into their arms again. Back to where I used to be, as a friend, not a leader.

“ Though one should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, he who conquers his own self, is the greatest conquerors ” (Dhammananda, 86). I have put my feet back to the ground and brushed away my pride. It takes a lot of sacrifice but believe me, the results are really worth the effort.

Works Cited

Dhammananda, K. Sri. Why Worry? How to Live without Fear and Worry.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 1998.

Love, Joe. “How to Deal with Emotional Problems”. Article Website. 2006.
Your Articles Directory. 20 June 2008 .html>.