HOW TRAINING BUILDS CHARACTER

By: JCI Sen. Mennen M. Aracid

I remember sitting in my first training during the 1993 National Convention in Zamboanga. I was a baby JCI member then. I was assigned to attend a course entitled “Vanguard Leadership (now a retired course).” At that time, the course was run by Oliver Sicat (JCI Makati) and Cristina Sevilla-Wiazek (JCI Lipa).

Something inside ticked. Because at the end of the workshop, I asked myself: How do I become like Tina and Ollie? They were so enthusiastic, competent, and engaging. There was also the prestige of being an elected officer. However, what I found more drawn to was the thought of standing before a crowd and sharing experiences with them, learning with them, and making a difference. JCI was a clear invitation to make a positive change but perhaps because my vocation was, and still is teaching, training was my clear contribution to the organization.

Fast forward into the future, the rank I am privileged to take care of is the one that the international organization already phased out. However, this is the most memorable for me because this rank carries with it the most hard-earned and hard-learned life lessons. Please allow me to share them with you:

GET GOOD MENTORS

Each JCI encounter is an opportunity to make friends and discover good mentors. Choose the ones whom you think will give you good examples. Examine their impact in the organization and learn their best practices. Being around successful examples will allow you to discover your own leadership brand and work ethic.

As much as possible, stay away from politics. Perhaps this advice is dated. But during my time, there was an implied dichotomy between training and elected positions. What is good about refraining from politics is that I can potentially work with any leader and help him with his term. In the process, I still get commissioned to work across different administrations. Elected positions are also good career choices. The more attractive option will rely on what you are good at, what you are passionate about, and where you are needed.

Invest in yourself: knowledge, skills, and attitude. Attend local and international JCI events to understand its culture. Conventions are good venues to develop lasting friendships with local and international JCI members. It is always good to get upskilled, qualified, and certified while volunteering for tasks that are engaging. Always sharpen your saw for the next big opportunity.

Do well at work and at home, not just in JCI. Perhaps any JCI member’s challenge is how to maintain work-life-JCI balance. During my earlier years, I also paid a heavy price for not consciously keeping my priorities in their correct hierarchy. At the beginning of my career, I also went in too deep into the movement.

It took a while to acknowledge that I was also needed at work and at home. JCI, home, and career need a lot of work. Be ready to do all three, and not one at the expense of the other two. Do not abuse your friends in JCI (or anywhere). Any upward responsibility, appointment, or task assigned to us is a trust relationship. When trust is broken, we ruin our reputation. If anything, earning trust requires to make consistent deposits in our relationships. But one indiscretion can wipe away all that we have worked so hard to establish all these years.

BE HUMBLE

Do well, no matter the size of the job to be done. The quality of your work will speak for you. When you do a great job, you become the goto guy; you become trustworthy.

JCI MOLDS AND MOTIVATES

When I tell you these bullet points I owe some part of my life to, they are actually lessons that reveal themselves in hindsight. Someone will tell them to you as experiences and detours to watch out for.

The bigger wisdom is to listen and learn from other people, so that the road we travel on does not become too rough or too discouraging.

JCI will have plenty of people who will be happy to share their experiences and life lessons with you. Do not forget to ask them about their shortcomings and what they would do differently. These insights will motivate you to choose differently as you continue on with your JCI journey. •