Press Release
January 31, 2009

Draw out the best in people, Gordon advises PMAP

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon has advised the members of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) that they can contribute greatly to the future of the country by drawing out the best in their people.

Gordon gave the advice in his keynote address at the PMAP's 542nd General Membership Meeting (GMM), as he noted the important role the PMAP plays in strengthening the country's labor industry, particularly with the global financial crisis starting to manifest itself in the country.

"We not only have to think fast in these times, but we really have to make sure that we work fast, we have to be united fast, we have to be stable fast and we have to come up with the kind of momentum that really will make sure that we are able to achieve change," he said.

"Our leaders have to draw out the best in us. That is what being a leader is all about. A leader has to provide the vision. It is better to know where you are going and not know how than to know how you are going and not know where," he added.

Gordon was invited to share his insights on the organization's chosen theme for the year, which is "Creating the Future of the Philippines (Harnessing the Filipino Spirit)."

Gordon pointed out that Filipinos are prevented from achieving their full potential because they allow themselves to be impeded by apathy and defeatist attitude, a culture that had been promoted by colonizers who invaded the country to stop the natives from fighting the invaders.

"You want to harness the spirit of the Filipino? You know the answer. Individually, we are great. But we have to break the walls that enclose us, walls that had been erected by the colonials and had become a national defect," he said.

Gordon recounted his experience when he was the chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and how he refused to allow the pessimism of other people to stop him from leading thousand volunteers and turning the former American naval base into a gainful concern despite the dilemma left by the base's pull out.

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