Qualities of a good leader

364 days is not enough to clean up a multiple decades of unjust, mess and uncontrollable corruption. Even the elected tricycle drivers association president cannot just lower the price of “prangkisa” or cannot just ask about the route to take because of the process and the culture which everyone is used to but as what they said, nobody can pleased everyone and for all the hard effort there’s always critics.

The question is about visibility of the leader of the state. Which unlike his predecessors who are more for a show is silent on doing his job but what are the consequences? Billions of dollars are in debt, poverty felt and economic progress declined.

For May 2010 election, the people show the support by electing the one that didn’t asked for it from the start. Maybe the hope and change that everyone was looking for lies to the son of a hero. As the son of the former President of the Philippines, wealthy bachelor and a famous family clan under his belt maybe just some of the reasons why he didn’t strived before to become the most influential leader in the country.

From www.mb.net , He said his determination to rid the bureaucracy of corruption is paying off -- business confidence is back and the economy is stronger.

Some of his accomplishements that maybe the majority of the population are not aware of or doesn’t care at all are as follows:

1.      The issuance of Executive Order #7 ordering the suspension of all privileges of officials of 122 government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions that resulted in savings of P2.5 million.

2.      The Philippines’ winning the case on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 also saved the government P43.4 billion.

3.      The President’s order to stop negotiated contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the re-bidding of urgently-needed projects also saved the government P934.1 million.

4.      He said his order to defer the purchase of a helicopter for the Department of Defense due to allegations that it favors one company allowed the government to set aside P3.6 billion.

5.       The President said he has ordered a thorough study on the P18.5 billion Laguna de Bay project to avoid waste of money.

6.      The Chief Executive noted that weather forecasting has improved from the every-six-hour update to an hourly, more focused weather update when he ordered the change in the stewardship of the country’s weather bureau and saved the government billions of pesos.

According to Barbara White, How often have you heard the comment, “He or she is a born leader?” There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.
In Philippines with more or less than 95 million in population, the majority of the masses are not watching news on television, can’t afford to buy newspapers and don’t have any access to internet. Filipinos wants to feel the change by means of measurements in which they usually used in their everyday life or activities such as:

1.      Lower price of basic commodities such as food or oil

2.      Decrease in crime rate

3.      Accessibility to free medical needs

4.      Infrastructure projects

5.      Peso exchange rate

6.      Housing programs

7.      Work availability to everyone

These activities and basic needs are common needs not only in the Philippines but same in any other countries.  As the developing country, Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, defined a developed country as follows. "A developed country is one that allows all its citizens to enjoy a free and healthy life in a safe environment."
Good health and safe environment are both a necessity in the Philippines. To enjoy life, the citizens must have good and established work to sustain the basic needs such as food, clothing, home, medicine and good education. As the developing country and with billions of dollars in debt to other countries, the President of this nation will have a hard time to turnaround the existing situation unless everyone from the Baranggay level will cooperate.
According to Barbara White, “Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders.” These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality and here are her study with regards to a qualities of a good leader.

Seven Personal Qualities Found In A Good Leader:

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.
    
2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.
    
3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.
    
4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.
    
5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.
    
6. A good leader as well as keeping the main goal in focus is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.
    
7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

Sometimes the issue is not only about leadership but integrity and honesty. Greed is one reason on why a good leader became a dictator at the end. As a private citizen, observant and aware of what’s happening, it is better to be slow, not visible on television or press conferences as long as the executive leader is doing his job, quietly.

Leadership and Change

 

 According to Frederick Hayes   “ There is no way to make people like change. You can only make them feel less threatened by it.”

 Leadership is an intangible concept that produces tangible results. It is referred to sometimes as an art and at other times as a science. In reality, leadership is both an art and a science.

There are identifiable characteristics if a good leadership exists within the organization. Whether they are small companies or a nation.  Most characteristics are:

1. Effective and efficient use of resources
2. Majority good feedbacks
3. Faster results with quality
4. Good understanding between higher organization and ranking files
5. High levels of productivity
6. Positive, empowered team members
7. Commitment for achieving organizational goals and objectives.

What Leaders must be able to do

According to Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus there are three leassons of leadership tat summarizes what leaders must be able to do:

1. Overcome resistance to change

For every change there’s resistance and it is given to all organization. Whether the change will be for the upper organization or ranking files. Some people in the management wants to do this because of the power and control which the same as what Mayor Sara Duterte of Davao City did which was punching the sheriff a couple of times when her request two hours delay for the demolition has been refused for the demolition of houses owned by informal settlers in one barangay.
Mayor Sara Duterte hit a court sheriff with a couple of punches in full view of residents and reporters.The violence prompted Duterte to punch court sheriff Abe Andres who was trying to enforce the demolition order on informal settlers in a 2,000-square meter land. The violet reaction of the executive official of that city  is not acceptable for everyone. A lot of discussion is happening in a social media on what prompt the Mayor who resorted to violence rather than a peaceful discussion.
In politics, majority of voters came from the poor sector of the nation. Whether the stunt is just a show for the coming 2013 lection, nobody knows but the reaction is still questionable. To others with a good leadership, everything will be done in a mutual understanding and good process. Leaders who can overcome resistance through a mutual, willing and voluntarily commitment is the best leader one organization is looking.

2. Broker the needs of constituency groups inside and outside of the organization

Conflict and criticisms will be always be there. Whatever the leader do, there’s always resistance, conflicts and critics. Nobody can pleased everyone but a good leader could compromised, reconcile and make all conflicts resolve by finding ways that will be good for both parties.

3. Establish an ethical framework within which all employees and the company as whole operate.

Setting a good example is the best way for everyone to follow. Implementing law and being consistent is one way to do this.

President Noynoy Aquino Speech on His First Year of Administration

Mga minamahal ko pong kababayan,

Isang taon na rin nga po pala ang lumipas. Naaalala pa po kaya ng lahat ang pinagdaananan na po natin? Dati, kapag nakarinig ka ng wangwang sa kalsada, wala ka nang magawa, hindi ho ba, kundi tumabi. Ang pinakamatayog mong pangarap ay makakuha ng VISA para makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Matutulog ka nang mahimbing sana, ngunit gigisingin ka ng bahang halos umabot na sa iyong higaan, dahil wala man lang babalang ipinaabot sa iyo ang PAGASA. Ilan po ba sa atin ang sumuko na at nagsabing wala na sigurong makakamit na hustisya ang limampu’t pitong Pilipinong minasaker sa Maguindanao?

Naalala po ba ninyo ang panahon kung kailan kapag may maririnig kang masamang balita, ‘di mo man lang makuhang umiling dahil alam mong may mas masahol pang parating? Noon, sabay-sabay ang mga Pilipinong nagbuntong-hininga: tiisin na lang natin, tutal patapos na rin naman ito. ‘Di po ba’t nabigla tayong lahat nang umangat ang ekonomiya bago mag-eleksyon noong isang taon—iyon po pala, kaya umangat, nakaantabay na, hindi lang tayo kundi ang buong mundo, sa pagbaba ng administrasyong Arroyo, at sa napipintong pagtatapos ng kalbaryo ng Pilipino. ‘Di po ba’t parang kahapon lang nang iabot ninyo sa akin ang naghihingalong liwanag ng pag-asa, at tinawag ninyo ako upang ipaglaban ang atin pong daang matuwid?

Sa panahon pong tinawag ako ng taumbayan, ni isang karatula o polyeto ay wala pa po akong naiimprenta, dahil alam naman po n’yo, wala po talaga akong kabalak-balak tumakbo. Hindi ko po inambisyon na sagupain ang dambuhalang problema na ipapamana ni Ginang Arroyo—mga problemang pilit kong hinadlangan noong nasa Kamara de Representantes tayo, at sa Senado pa lang ako. At nakita ko na rin naman, sa karanasan ng pumanaw kong ina, kung gaano kabigat ang tungkulin maging isang Pangulo, lalo pa kung mamanahin niya ay sistemang nilapastangan. Tinanong ko ang aking sarili: kakayanin ko kayang kumpunihin ang lahat ng ito?

Malalim ang pagmumuning dinaanan ko bago tumugon sa inyong panawagan. Ngunit nang abutan po ako ng garapong puno ng barya para lamang makatulong sa kampanya; nang salubungin ako ng madlang ‘di man lamang makabili ng payong na panangga sa init ng araw; nang sinabi ninyo sa aking hindi ako nag-iisa—hindi ko po itong masikmurang tanggihan. Hindi ko po kinayang sabihin na, “pasensya na kayo, naduduwag po ako, at gusto ko pa sanang humaba ang buhay ko.” Ang sinabi ko po noon: Pilipino, kasama mo ako. Itutuwid natin ang baluktot, tatanggalin natin ang tiwali, at itatama natin ang mali.

Narito po tayo ngayon, isang taon matapos markahan ang wakas ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi sa hinaing ng kanyang mamamayan. Ipinasa po sa atin ang isang tahanang lumulundo ang kisame at bitak-bitak ang mga pader. Kinahoy na nga po ang mga muwebles, ipinangutang pa ang pamalit. Ang masaklap niyan, alam kong mamanahin natin ang mga utang na iyon, sampu ng lahat ng dumi na ikinalat nila.

Ang pinangangambahan nating pangit na daratnan, mas sukdulan at kasuklam-suklam pa pala ang tunay na kalagayan. Halimbawa: mula taong 1972 hanggang taong 2000, umabot sa 12.9 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA. Nang dumating si Ginang Arroyo, sa loob lamang po ng isang taon, o 2001, naiangat niya ang utang na iyan sa 18 bilyong piso. Ulitin ko lang po: Mula 12, isang taon na lumipas, naging 18 bilyong piso ang pagkakautang ng NFA. Hindi pa po siya nakuntento; pagbaba niya sa puwesto, ‘yung dating 12 billion na minana niya, nasa 177 billion pesos na po ang utang na ipinamana sa ating lahat. Isanlibong porsyento at mahigit pa ang itinaas ng utang ng NFA: record-breaking po talaga ang ginawa nilang pagbabaon sa atin sa utang, hindi ho ba?

Ganitong uri ng administrasyon ang humihikayat sa ating kilalanin ang kanilang mga nagawa, at tumuntong sa kanilang mga balikat. Ganitong uri ng administrasyon ang nagsasabing wala daw pagbabago, at sa malalim na bangin lamang tayo dadalhin ng tuwid na daan. Magpapaloko po pa ba tayo sa pagpupumilit nilang padudahin tayo, para sa pagkalito natin, magkaroon ng puwang na bumalik ang lumang sistema?

Hindi na po ako magsasayang ng panahon para makipagbangayan sa kanila. Nagpapasalamat na lamang po ako sa pag-amin ni Ginang Arroyo na ‘di umano’y kabaliktaran raw niya ako. Sa wakas, magkasundo rin po kami. Talagang magkabaliktad po kami.

Dahil hindi na nga po ako sasagot, hahayaan ko na lamang tumugon ang 21,800 pamilya ng sundalo at kapulisan na maaari na ngayong magkaroon ng disenteng tahanan bago matapos ang taong ito.

Dalawang linggo po, o halos dalawang linggo, inaasahan ko na tutuparin ng NHA na 4,000 doon sa unang 21,000 iyan ang ipagkakaloob na natin sa mga nararapat na kawani po ng gobyerno na bibilang sa hanay ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan—at umpisa pa lang ho iyan.

Hahayaan ko na lang tumugon ang mga maralitang kababayan nating nakarehistro na sa Conditional Cash Transfer program. Apat na araw mula ngayon, sasaksihan ko po mismo ang paglagda ng ika-dalawang milyong benepisyaryo ng CCT. Uulitin ko lang po, two million na po ang na-i-enroll natin sa CCT pagdating ng July 4.

Hahayaan ko na lang din pong tumugon ang halos 240,000 magsasaka na nakikinabang na ngayon sa mahigit 2,000 kilometrong farm-to-market roads na nailatag natin sa loob lamang ng isang taon.

Sila nga po ang tanungin natin? ‘Di ba’t malinaw ang pagbabago? Noon pong isang taon, barko-barkong toneladang bigas ang inaangkat, at katakut-takot din ang gastusin sa mga bodegang pinagtatambakan nito. 1.3 million metric tons lang po ang kailangan natin pampuno sa kakulangan ng ating ani, pero umangkat sila ng dalawang milyong metriko tonelada. Ngayon po, halos kalahati na lang ang inaangkat nating 660,000 metriko tonelada.

Hindi po tayo nag-magic para dumami ang bigas na inaani natin dito: itinutok lang po natin ang pondo ng irigasyon sa kung saan ito pinakamura at mabisa; pinalawak ang paggamit ng maiging klase ng binhi; at pinalawig din ang upland rice farming. Lahat po ito, nagdulot ng dagdag na labinlimang porsyento sa ating inani noong huling taon, at ng pinakamataas na ani sa kasaysayan ng dry season cropping. Pasensya na po kayo, bihira lang ako magtayo ng sariling bangko: 1.3 million tons kulang natin taon-taon. Itong unang taon natin, ang aangkatin 800,000—para may konting reserve—pero 600,000 tons na lang ang kakailanganin natin. (Kailangan pong i-irrigate ang atin pong lalamunan.) Palagay ko po, sa 2013, talagang pupurihin ko kaliwa’t kanan si Secretary Alcala ‘pag totoo nga po na self-sufficient sa rice na tayo sa 2013.

Noon pong isang taon, ilan po ba sa atin ang nangahas mangarap na ang bigas na ating isasaing, dito rin sa Pilipinas itatanim, aanihin, at bibilhin. Mukha pong matutupad nga: nasabi ko nang ipinangako ni Secretary Proceso Alcala (dinidiin ko po para maalala natin lahat kung sino nangako) na bago matapos ang 2013, hindi na natin kailangan pang mag-angkat ng bigas mula sa ibang bansa.

Mantakin po ninyo: dahil sa tamang paggugol at pagtapal sa mga sugat sa sistema na tinatagasan ng pera ng bayan, nakalikom tayo ng dagdag na pondo upang magpatupad ng mga programang higit pa sa napaglaanang pondo sa ating General Approprations Act. Nagawa natin itong walang itinataas na buwis. Labindalawang bilyong piso na po ang tumutustos sa ating mga pangangailangan: mula sa Pantawid Pasada sa mga pampublikong sasakyan na tinamaan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis; hanggang sa pampasahod ng 10,000 nurse na nakadestino sa mga maralitang lalawigan; mula sa pambili ng mga modernong barko na magtatanod sa ating mga baybayin; hanggang sa marami pang ibang mga programa at proyektong totoong napapakinabangan ng kabuoan ng atin pong bansa.

Isipin na lang po ninyo kung hinayaan lang natin ang walang-saysay na paglustay sa kaban ng bayan. Baka po naglalakad na lang ang mga tsuper natin. Baka po ang mga nakaratay sa mga lalawigan ay nananatili pang ngumunguya ng dahon para lunasan ang kanilang mga karamdaman. At baka po patuloy na ngang miski mga isda ay hindi man lang masindak sa ating Hukbong Pandagat.

Pabahay, bigas, seguridad, pasahod, kalsada, pantawid pasada, at salbabida para sa mga kababayan nating nilulunod ng kahirapan: iyan po ang pagbabagong inaani natin ngayon. Alam naman po ninyo, hindi naman po natin nahukay ang kayamanan ni Yamashita para maipatupad ang mga ito. Hinabol lang po natin ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno, itinama natin ang pag-gugol ng pera, at itinuwid natin ang mga baluktot sa sistema.

Tingnan nga po lang natin ang ginawa nila sa Philippine National Construction Corporation: ni hindi nga po nila magawang mag-remit ng disenteng kita sa taumbayan, may kapal ng mukha pa silang umentuhan ang kanilang mga sarili. Limang pahina po ang memo na ipinasa sa akin ng bagong mga opisyal ng PNCC, na nagdedetalye ng mga katiwaliang kanilang naungkat at isinasaayos: mula sa mga walang-katuturang posisyon na pinasasahuran ng kalahating milyon kada buwan, hanggang sa mga cellphone plan na wala namang silbi sa kanilang katungkulan; mula sa mga kagamitang ibinebenta ng palugi para lamang di umanong kumapal ang kanilang bulsa, hanggang sa mga inimbento nilang fixed allowance na hindi bababa sa siyento mil kada buwan; lahat po iyan ay itinigil natin. Kaya naman ang dating monthly expense na 22 million pesos, naibaba na natin sa 11 million pesos.

Isa pa pong halimbawa itong kalokohang natuklasan natin sa PCSO. May pera sila para mag-over-budget sa patalastas na nagbabalandra ng mukha ng kung sino-sinong politiko sa telebisyon, pero wala silang pera para magbayad ng tatlong bilyong pisong utang sa mga ospital ng gobyerno. Dahil sa utang na di mabayaran—dahil sa katiwalian—ang mismong ospital na pinopondohan ng gobyerno, ayaw nang tanggapin ang garantiya ng kapwa nila sangay ng gobyerno. Isipin po n’yo iyon, itinayo, ‘di ba, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office—iba ho ang ginugulan ng charity.

‘Di po ba’t sasakit din ang batok ninyo sa kalakarang ito? Pagsisiwalat sa kalokohan, sa halip na pakikisawsaw sa katiwalian: ito po ang pagbabagong sinasabi natin.

Alam ko rin pong marami sa atin ang nag-aapurang anihin na ang mga bunga ng naipunla nating reporma. ‘Di ko naman po masisi ang taumbayang, dumaan sa isang dekada ng katiwalian, at ayaw nang maniwalang posibleng magkaroon ng gobyernong handang tumahak sa tuwid na daan. May ilan pong nahihirapang mapagtanto na kailangan nating magtulungan, magsaluhan, at mag-ambagan para maabot ang ating mga mithiin. Alam ko po ang pinanggagalingan ninyo: Ako man po ay nangangarap na bukas makalawa ay magising tayong may solusyon na sa bawat problemang minana natin. Ngunit alam ko pong mulat din kayo na wala ring maitutulong ang mabilisan, ngunit walang bisang solusyon. Kailangan ang maingat na paglalatag ng reporma, ang pagsigurong epektibo ang ating mga programa, at ang pangmatagalang mga tugon na hindi na magpapamana ng problema sa susunod na salinlahi.

Simple lang naman po, hindi ba? Nakita naman natin kung paano tayo nagdusa noong nakaraan, at nakita rin natin ang situwasyong gusto nating makamit sa kinabukasan. ‘Di po ba’t ngayon, buong-loob na nating pinupunan ang puwang sa pagitan ng mga tagang “sana” at ng “kaya,” at nakikilahok na rin ang bayan upang ang ating mga mithiin ay maabot na nating lahat sa wakas? ‘Di po ba’t ngayon, nasaang panig man tayo ng usapan, ang nagbubuklod pa rin sa atin ay malasakit para sa bayan? Ngayon po, bawat kibot natin, nasusundan na. Nagtataka ako: kung may isyu at magtikom ka ng labi, di maubos ang batikos sa akin. Kapag naman naghahayag ka ng kuro-kuro, pakialamero ang bansag sa akin. Kulang na lang po, kung minsan iniisip ko, hatiin ko ang aking katawan at maging manananggal na lang po ako para mapagbiyan ang lahat ng bumabatikos sa akin. Pero iyon po kasi, tanda lamang talaga na mayroong mga tao, ayaw nilang gumanda ang atin pong inang bansa.

Sinabi ko po sa inyo noong araw: kung walang corrupt walang mahirap. Katumbas ng tamang pamamahala ang direktang benepisyo sa taumbayan, lalo na sa mga kapos po sa buhay: bawat tableta ng gamot na pinopondohan ng gobyerno para sa ating maralitang kababayan, bawat pulgada ng kalsada, bawat pagkakataong makahanap ng disenteng pagkakakitaan—lahat po iyan ay bunga ng integridad at malasakit ng inyo pong pamahalaan na nakikipagtulungan sa sambayanan. Maliwanag po ang patutunguhan natin, at diretso tayong tutungo po doon. Ang serbisyong nakalaan para sa inyo ay dumarating sa inyo: hindi napupunta sa bulsa ng mga naghahari-hariang kung tinignan ampaw naman pala.

Malayo na po ang narating natin sa loob lamang ng isang taon. Isipin na lang po ninyo kung gaano pa katayog ang mga maaabot natin sa susunod na limang taon. Saksi ang Pilipino at ang buong mundo: Nagbubunga na ang pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas. Ngayon pa ba tayo aatras?

Sinisikap pa rin pong buwagin ng mga tiwali ang pananalig na nagtulak sa aking tumugon sa inyong panawagan, at nagbunsod sa ating tagumpay noong nakaraang halalan. Inaasahan po natin ito, at alam kong nasa likod ko po rin kayo sa pakikipagsagupa natin sa mga mapang-api. Sinabi ko po dati: kayo ang aking lakas, ang lakas na bukal ng mga tagumpay na inaani na natin ngayon, at ng tuluyan at napipinto nating pagpitas sa katuparan ng atin pong mga pinapangarap.

Hindi kailanman magbabago po ito. Kayo pa rin ang boss ko.

Iyong unang taon po ay puwede na rin ‘yung nagawa natin. Pero ‘yung susunod na taon, inaasahan kong lahat ng kawani ng gobyerno, sampu na ng sambayanan, ay lalong magtutulungan—dahil gusto ko pong tumulin nang tumulin, ang pagbabago nating ninanasa na marating ay lalong maging katuparan na.

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po.

On Leadership and Management

   I been helping my parents since grade six and experienced a lot while working with people. My dad taught me all the do's and dont's in business transactions and while dealing with customers, the customer is always right. We are three girls in the family and whether we like it or not, we need to be independent. Managing people is like taking care of your children, they have different attitudes, characters and sometimes with tantrums. As one grows older, you need to support them with values and wisdom, same as managing people. Total Quality Management (TQM) is a must for it deals with continous education about work for the satisfaction of the end- user and profit for the manager.



   As a manager of one medium construction firm and handles twenty people per project for residential and building construction with a goal for quality output and achieve  the target date, patience and understanding like a mother must be consider. You dont like to have a frequent turnover from time to time once you found out your suburdinates did something less from your expectation. Having people around is difficult with different idea and points of view and working as a team is a common objective of one organization to produce the output faster and better in one direction with cooperation and coordination.



   A painter must have a continous or updated information about the application and right process of applying a certain paint. One must know what to use for the first coating and the curing time before the use of nuetralizer to remove the water content from the cement. There are some seminars like from Boysen Philippines about the updated use and techniques. If you are a painter, one must update his knowledge due to competition in the market today. As a carpenter, there are many tools that could help for faster result that could give benefits for both the manager and end user. Less work, faster result, zero wastage and just in time (JIT) delivery. As a concrete mason, there are thickness of mortar applications that must be follow to reduce the existence of concrete hairline crack from the wall. One must understand the correct ratio and proportion and the right mixture of aggregates and water.



  The problem arise in a working place when the manpower insist his usual ways on how to do a certain job. Culture is one culprit and for any change there is resistance. One must remember that continous education is a plus and advantage for a better, faster and profitable result. Usually construction workers who are skilled ranges from 25 to 50 years old. Usually they are highschool graduate and the skills came from experience whether by looking at their relatives job or by training. In construction, there is a correct engineering way on how to do all works, engineering is an exact science and the specifications from the blue prints or plans must be consider, strictly and mandated by the government.

  As a manager who likes to have quality output for all projects, the goal must also be the same for all the workers. A suburdinate must follow all the suggestions and specifications but sometimes it does'nt happen that way. I am a young engineer and mostly all of my skilled workers are twenty years older than me, they might be thinking, that because they worked longer than me, they already know all the strategies, techniques on how to do everything in a right way. The difference is the education, books helps a lot because of the theories, research and methods on how to do it well and better that can be learned in school. Though they said, nothing beats the experience. I believe, but those two must be together to get the most satisfying result. Two heads is better than one.

   Meeting and MBWA (Manager By Walking Around) must be done accordingly and frequently and from my experienced is the most effective way in dealing with employees work and project inspection. This is to check if the workers are following the plans and scope according to the specified work schedule and design. This is done by effective managers based from the management principles and for one manager to become visible at all times. Classical management is not applicable at all times, there must be a team building, trust, respect, patience and understanding. It is applicable to those organization who have the same objective, to finish the work well with quality output for the satisfaction of both manager and customer. This is the ideal organization. But the ideal is far from reality.



   I got four projects at the same time, workers need to adjust for the rotation of working site. After one finish the job in one place, he might be send to another project with different scope. There's advantage and disadvantage. But if one can survive and the goal is to work for the family, for the quality and to maintain his job, he must be satisfied and accept all the responsibilities. For every project there must be one team lead, the one who delegates all the work, supervise and conduct meeting in the absence of the site manager or engineer. The team lead must know the objective and the correct engineering practice, what to install and what to do effectively and efficiently. If the team lead will just be in the working area because of the money, the organization will be gone soon and the project will lead to delays, backjobs and reworks or worst.

   From experienced, a manager must have a firm decision and good judgement. The manager must know the background of his manpower and the need. Managing people is hard. It is better to have a small franchise outlet like Zagu with only two to three manpower and the manager can do some more things than staying in one place. If the manager of the organization cannot handle the pressure, he is not a leader. The manager is not fit for the position or must change his line of work if the character is questionable. Managing different people with different background, characteristic and attitude is like managing a country. The president must be a leader and must have a charisma. Not everyone has a force to be a manager or leader, one must be empowered and the manager must empowered also his subordinates.