Tony is a breath of fresh air

It always baffles me how people in our country can get an inflated sense of worth, due to the position that they occupy. We sometimes lose track of the fact that it is temporary situation or that we start believing that we are ourselves are the reason for the position.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently flew into Manila for a series of talks. He charmed a lot of people with his personality and made many converts with his humility, wit and intelligence.

He spoke about how life is full of twists and surprises. When he was younger he wanted to be a rock musician. He practiced and played in a band until a good friend told him, “You’re a great singer, except there’s only one problem.” Brief pause. “You can’t sing!” But never in his young life, did he imagine that he would become Great Britain’s top leader. “If someone had told me that one day I’d be prime minister, I would have laughed, and my friends would have been worried,”

Tony Blair was peppered with questions on politics, leadership, and retirement. He spoke about leaders being, “ordinary men thrust into extraordinary situations.” A school of thought commonly attributed to Winston Churchill and revived by former New York Mayor Rudy Gulliani.

When he was asked the question on motives for entering politics, he replied, “Public Service”, he then continued, “Politics really matters, actually”. He started talking about the good and the need for public service. But he hit the nail on the head, when he proclaimed that politics, “is a noble profession, not always nobly pursued.” Standing Ovation!

He also spoke on how much easier it is to be in the opposition. He told the audience though it was better to be in the administration, in the opposition, “is it’s what you say that matters, not what you do.” Bingo!

On knowing to move on, Mr. Blair said, “And leaders, no matter how long they are in the position, will always “have their day” and should find it in themselves to relinquish power.

Mr. Blair spoke humorously about the stark difference when he was no longer Prime Minister. He recounted that on his first day as a private citizen, he bought a new cell phone and texted a good friend. He was surprised to read the reply, “who are you?”. Mr. Blair forgot to write down his name in the text. He reflected humorously that in less than 24 hours, he had gone from being one of the most powerful men in the planet to a virtual nobody.

Mr. Blair is recognized for his skill as a diplomat. The evidence of this was that he was able to charm and seamlessly get away with wearing the Ateneo Blue Eagle Jacket in his visit and talk there; and charm his hosts in La Salle by donning the green jacket. He even threw in the “adobo” joke.

Tony Blair made Great Britain cool again. He made Britannia matter especially to young people. This is in stark contrast to the image that the United States projected in the last few years of the Bush administration. President Barrack Obama is showing the same skills and a lot of heart in managing his difficult situation. But he has also shown that the right leadership who has the correct reasons for serving can and will make a difference.

The Philippine elections are around the corner. Many of our people have lost faith in our leaders and expressed cynicism on the state of Philippine democracy and the electoral process. Many have expressed doubt that there may be an election. But let us not lose hope. We must try. We must search for the right leadership. Then we must try to do everything to make sure that he or she makes it. It is in our hands. Tony Blair said, “What is forgivable is to fail, what is unforgivable is not to try.”

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

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