There is a seeming crisis in chairmanship prevailing in ARBEX. It need a lot of prodding from former officers to convince a member to head the association. What exactly is ARBEX chairmanship? Everyone talks about it; few understand it. Most members don’t want it.

Things went so fast on Friday January 10, 2003, before the day ended I became the chairperson of ARBEX. Days before that date I just wanted to be the vice chairman. There was a struggle within me before I finally decided to file the candidacy for the position of Chairwoman of ARBEX. It’s not easy, but it’s not easy either to refuse the influential manner made by the former chairwoman Joy Lorico and chairman Vic Berrey in convincing me to run as head of ARBEX.

Chairmanship of ARBEX connotes leadership. True there are born leaders but leadership are not exclusive to them. The traits that are akin to leadership can be acquired. Connect it with desire and a leader will emerge.

Leadership according to John C. Maxwell author of the Winning Attitude, is influence. That’s it - nothing more, nothing less. He says everyone influences someone. In any given situation with any group there is a prominent influencer.

We in ARBEX, our members are all examiners. We all have supervisory skills. Each one of us one way or the other is influencing and was influenced by others. That means all of us are leading in some areas, while in other areas, we are being led. So we can both be leaders and followers.

A trait or characteristic of a leader is attitude. “Attitudes are habits of thought that can be acquired. We need to uphold the right attitude befitted for a Bangko Sentral representative. If we do this repeatedly, that attitude will be realized.

And then there is the problem-solving skill. We all have problems, and sometimes these problems overwhelm us. One thing is certain; life is not problem-free. Some lessons I learned from reading a book with regards to approaches in solving problems are:

Ø Never allow others to think you always have the best answers. This will only make them dependent on you.

Ø Ask questions. Help people to think through the entire process of their problem.

Ø Become a coach, not a king. A coach brings out the best in others, helping them to reach deep down inside and discover their potential. A king only gives command.

Ø List their solutions on paper. Integrate your ideas with theirs until they have ownership of them.

Ø Ask them to decide on the best solution to their problem.

Ø Develop a game plan

Ø Ask them to take ownership and responsibility for the game plan. Let them set up a time frame and accountability process.

So when the meeting is over, the other person has processed the problem, selected a solution, developed a game plan, and taken ownership of it. They were not dependent on you.

They say that in every age there comes a time when leadership must come forth to meet the need of the hour. ARBEX members, if you have the desire you will all be able to accomplish the work of a leader. Be ready to seize your moment. Come forward and file your candidacy for chairmanship for the year 2004.

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