The choices that make us

“First, we make choices, and then the choices make us.”

Life is a journey marked by a series of choices. Each choice sets forth a ripple effect, shaping our destiny and character. After four decades of unwavering dedication and hard work, a man retired with a substantial fortune of P50,000,000. His achievement resulted from virtues like courage, diligence, initiative, skill, devotion to duty, thrift, efficiency, and intelligent investment. And the fact that his favorite uncle died and left him P49,999,999.50.

The truth is that life is a mix of deliberate choices and unforeseen events, both molding our journey. The twists and turns of life, plus the choices we make, are intertwined and determine the future life we will one day live to enjoy or regret.

Leadership is a mirror of life, where choices play a pivotal role in defining the course of action. The journey of leadership encompasses choices, and in turn, these choices shape the very essence of leadership. This process resembles a symbiotic relationship, wherein choices are both the architects and the architects themselves.

The path to success in leadership is paved with three distinct choices:

Success should be underpinned by character, the bedrock upon which all other attributes flourish. Competence, skills, talents, and abilities are integral but elevated by character.

A leader’s character is a testament to their values and principles, remaining steadfast as other traits evolve. As we embark on leadership journeys, remember the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is, and the tree is the real thing.”

In a pervasive world of social media and digital marketing, many “self-proclaimed leadership gurus” are obsessed with looking good than being good as they pursue more image management rather than character transformation, camouflaging the fact that underneath all those selfies lie a person all so full of himself, twisted and egoistic. While true influential leaders are quietly efficient, and you can hardly see them in their selfies proclaiming their lavish accomplishments and achievements because they do not need them.

Loyalty and devotion are often intertwined, but leaders must discern the difference. Loyalty, though valuable, is a one-sided allegiance to the leader. It can sometimes close our eyes to flaws or mistakes. What if the immediate boss or leader is not ethically sound? Blind allegiance would be disastrous.

Devotion, however, extends its commitment to both the leader and the organization. Devotion harbors the courage to speak uncomfortable truths, guided by a desire for collective growth.

“I left my heart in San Francisco...” The legacy of Tony Bennett, the legendary performer, offers a profound lesson in leadership choices.

On July 21, 2023, legendary performer Tony Bennett died at age 96 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. In an NBC News article, his widow, Susan Benedetto, told the story of the two of them watching YouTube videos of Bennet’s career along with a healthcare worker.

Susan said, “And Tony was alert enough that he’s like watching. And he said, ‘Was I always popular?’ And I said, ‘Yes, sweetheart.’ I said, ‘You’ve been popular for over 70 years.’ And he said, ‘That’s because I stayed with quality.’”

The allure of quantity may be strong, but quality endures across time and generations. Quality is a timeless currency that weaves a lasting legacy.

Choosing quality is the commitment to enduring impact over fleeting trends. It is the deliberate choice to strive for excellence and not just the money aspect of things.

Navigating the intricate tapestry of life and leadership, we must recognize that the correct values are the foundation that serves as the compass for making choices. The choices we make today become the stories we tell tomorrow unless we wait for a rich uncle who can leave us with a substantial, undeserved inheritance that will never come.

(Francis Kong’s podcast “Inspiring Excellence” is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms).