“There are three words that we can glean from the topic, and it includes influence, power, and discovery. So, these words when combined together, evoke certain action- a journey and how we can enhance our skills to influence others, communicate with them, and gain control in a constructive and positive way. Every day we are called to lead, and we must apply these three words: be it at work, social, or personal relationships.”
This was the first part of the motivational opening remarks of Ms. Grace Sorongon, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Professional Staffers Division of executive search firm John Clements Consultants, Inc. during the June 1st episode of the Weekly with JC Leadership and HR Series Fireside Chat. The topic was “The Road to Influence: Discovering Your Path to Power” and the session featured a roster of panelists, namely Atty. Jamea Garcia, Regional Vice President- Employee Experiences of Asia Alorica; Atty. Emerico De Guzman, Of Counsel ACCRALAW; and Mr. Morris Agudo, Chief Executive Officer of MV Softtech.
Ms. Grace Sorongon began by asking the panel about their pertinent experiences and narratives on how they reached the kind of positions they are currently occupying.
Atty. Jamea Garcia began her work in a law firm, practicing corporate and labor law for the first ten years of her career before switching to a full-time HR role. At some point in life, she asked herself what she really wanted to pursue. She emphasized that having self-awareness is essential before being able to influence others. We must be mindful of our strengths and shortcomings, as well as what we want to accomplish. She added that dealing with people and having a significant impact on their lives is her passion.
The narrative of Atty. Emerico De Guzman supported it by relating his experiences. He stated that we must acknowledge the distinctive characteristics and skills that each person possesses. Recognizing others’ strengths and ideals within the company also plays a significant role in success. Leaders must be able to recognize each team member’s unique talent in order to determine their place within the group.
The last speaker and moderator of the session, Mr. Morris Agudo, shared that the key to a successful team is to recognize each member’s weaknesses, support them in overcoming these, and encourage them to concentrate on their strong points. He emphasized the distinction between influence and power, noting that most individuals put themselves first. It is nonetheless beneficial to esteem other people and recognize their potential.
Throughout the passionate discussion of stories and concepts about the road to influence and discovering the path to power, I noted these highlights in my takeaway:
- Producers are not the same as leaders; to be a successful leader, one must consider the values of others. Learn to take notes on the highlights and reflections in each phase of your professional opportunities, since it will enable you to precisely determine where you need to improve. Whereas not being afraid to make mistakes is a good quality in a future leader as it allows them to express themselves more freely and reach their full potential.
- Learn to pay attention to those who have stories to share. Show appreciation for what they are speaking about. We need to face a direction that is consistent with both our personal and corporate objectives. Moreover, analyzing the problem we encountered and determining the best solution that will benefit the majority is the best way to meet objectives.
- We must set an example by learning to refuse requests when we are aware that they are not feasible, and we should model what we preach by inspiring rather than impressing people. Success is recognizing that there are still opportunities available, and always being open to learning new things.
Therefore, keeping in mind that discovering our purpose and understanding how to carry it out effectively can help us influence other people’s paths to success and encourage them in finding the way to a powerful future.
You can find more articles about our past events, as well as interesting topics on The Lookingglass archive.
