My Path to Becoming a Leader

I first heard the word nominate when I was in grade 1. I was wondering why I cannot nominate myself. I want to be one of the officers in class. What if I would ask one of my seatmates to nominate me? I was ashamed to do so.

Majority of my life in elementary, I would say I'm a loser, especially in academics. I remember I was a cry baby. What I am proud about in my elementary days would be, I can play "sipa" well. 2nd is I'm in the group who won the best dance group. Last would be I am an altar boy.

I see my friends who were consistent with their honors as great leaders. I envy them. I was a loser. Not until I was in grade 6. I was nominated an officer. Not President but high enough to be included in a basic leadership training. Little did I know the training would have a huge impact17 years after. It ignited who I am today - the best coach in our business community.

The word nominate was replaced with the word "charisma." It fascinated me so much. "Leaders are firm in their words," the speaker said. "People follow them because they are firm. And it creates what they have to which we call charisma," he continued. He further explained not necessarily being firm will create it. Some people are just naturally charismatic. I wanted that power.

In high-school I was popular. Simply because my father is the best science teacher and he teaches physics and my mom is the best math teacher and she teaches analytic geometry and algebra.

I was eager to be more popular. One of my frustrations in elementary was not participating in poster making contests. I displayed my artistic skills early in my secondary schooling. I won 2nd place. I told myself not bad for a beginner. From then on, everyone knew I am good in drawing and I was consistent in being invited to the contests.

My 1st year English teacher was also one of those who triggered me to be excellent. I perfected the pronunciation test. From then on, part of my ego tells me that it would be very shameful if I fail in an English class. I carried that until College.

I remember I hated declaiming or speaking in front when I was in elementary. I even skipped one final practical test. I don't know how I passed the subject. Everything was different in HS. I was longing for speaking in English and in public into perfection. My 3rd year English teacher said in one of our group presentations that I was very formal and she liked it!

4th year I was nominated president. Top accomplishment was organizing the Christmas party well. 3rd year I was captain ball in volleyball varsity. Looking back, I was an amateur leader. If translated into business, I was self-employed.

What I am proud about when I was in HS was I am a headbanging rocker who loves to do hip-hop dance, a punk who hates hip-hop dudes and an academic achiever all at the same time - and an athlete, too. I was also best-actor in our 4th year film showing project. My role? I was a rapist. I'm proud of the achievement but not the role.

I gave up popularity and extra-curricular activities when I was in College. But I was striving to show my talents in little ways that I can. I still long to show-off my talents.

The attitude of showing off is not bad. Of course, you have to show-off something that's worth showing off. Campus popularity was no longer in my priorities. But class priority is. I took up Engineering. In tradition, engineering students have low grades in English classes. I was different. I got high-grades on those subjects and in engineering.

At 1st year college, everyone was in high-hopes. Everyone displayed their academic expertise. I was thinking, I'm naturally gifted. I can blow these people away. Looks can be very deceiving.

I happen to meet some losers in the 1st day of class. Little did I know one of them would become my best friend and become the top of the class graduates. I was trying to look dumb and dumb-fully ask who could be a genius in our class so we could meet him and he could help us in our academic survival and success.

Fast forward, I'm doing ok in class. I would say one of the top 10, an idealistic leader who wants to make a huge difference to our country and a loser when it comes to dating and having a girlfriend. I became president in 4th year and 5th year - no major accomplishments. I also became an illustrator in our division publication.

The marks of the calling to be a leader: elementary - became an officer and 1st hand charisma, hs - president in 4th year and captain ball, college - president in 4th and 5th. Am I really called to be a leader? Would I become the president of the Philippines? Or would my great grand children will be?

I am called to be a powerful leader for this country. I am called to sacrifice. I am called to serve.

My first job was in IT. I was in web maintenance. My boss saw my leadership personality. "You Ludwig, you are like me," she said. "We are fully aware that we are good but we just miss sometimes in our routines. If guided properly, you can really bring the team to great heights! You are a natural leader."

Working at GMA7, which was my 2nd job, became the turning point. Aside that I am no longer a loser in dating, I was a jet-setter!

I wasn't a jet-setter in leading the company to top ratings. I was in influencing my office mates in playing PC games like Starcraft and Warcraft. Yes, I love video games.

In fact, I left a legacy there today. I heard majority of the engineering employees play Dota - even in office hours. Not sure if it became a policy that it's OK to play Dota as long as it makes the employees awake but would definitely be given memo if fumbles happen.

I practiced leadership fully in business. I remember, even in playing Dota, I was a very harsh leader. I shout at my office mates that I consider slow and lame. Even in business, I was also fierce to some apprentices.

My persistence of not being bored and somehow make my life more meaningful than just play Dota, go to work, eat, drink, play badminton - even in badminton I'm sometimes fierce and very harsh; led me into exploring the world of business. That's when I bought my 1st business book. I bought it because I wanted something new in my life not that I want to go into business. I guess God has His ways to really lead people where He wants them to go. The book showed me why I was prepared to be a powerful leader all those years. I was prepared to be a solution and not part of the problem. I was part of the solution in creating a prosperous country out of a struggling developing one.

Can I really turn the Philippines into a 1st World Country? Understanding leadership, the answer is a big NO. That's why you are reading this article up to this point for you are also called to be a powerful leader for our country. Can WE turn this country into the most powerful economic superpower? The answer is a big YES! But only when you commit to do so. No matter how little you start today, it may bring great fortune in the future.

For prosperity!

Ludwig Rosete

PS. For comments and suggestions, you can email the author at ludwigmarkr@gmail.com. You can also contact 0917.6149.879 (MR. LUDWIG ROSETE) for more info about the business community.

Let's Promote Tourism! I love Baguio!

I firmly believe that one of the factors that will make our country become successful is through tourism. And I'd like to invite everyone to be open-minded to what I have to say here. I'd like to start with my beloved Baguio.

Recently, we just had our business bootcamp in Baguio. When me and my coach were observing one of the views in the place, we noticed something. "Sagwa tingnan ng mga bahay sa malayo," my personal business coach said. Yes, the site looks like smokey mountain from afar. In other countries, they strictly have one color and pattern for a certain zone, he continued to explain. I concluded, yes, it would be perfect if most of the sites have the same color. Then I imagined how it would be if the houses were in shades of green, some brown, some red. It might be more delightful to see.

No offense to the people residing in the areas of our proud Baguio. I also personally love Baguio especially for its cold climate. I love it because I'm dreaming of building a University there with coats as uniforms. It would be perfect since the place has cold climate unlike in the metro to which the students would be drenched with sweat if they have this kind of uniform. But it would really be great if we can greatly improve our one of the best visited places in our country. Thus, I promised to myself, I will be more successful in my current business, teach it to more people so they can become my future investors so they can help me when I pursue tourism projects!

This is one of the things that drives me to be successful today and in the future. I hope I sparked even a bit of inspiration to you on how you can contribute more to our beloved country.

Great day!

Ludwig Rosete

PS. For comments and suggestions, you can email the author at ludwigmarkr@gmail.com. You can also contact 0917.6149.879 (MR. LUDWIG ROSETE) for more info about the business community.

A 6 Year Old Boy Knows It's OK To Fail

Most people are scared of failing. And that's the main reason only a few consider going into business. More importantly, if some go into business, most never consider going into big business.

In our recent boot camp training, one of my favorite mentor gave a talk about succeeding by maintaining high energy. What amazed me so much is his little child. "Christian, is it ok to fail?" he asked. And the 6 year old child replied in his nice little voice with,"Yes." "What would you do if you fail?" he gave another question. "Practice more,"was the reply.

Just imagine where this child would be in the future with a very strong mental foundation with regards to failing and success. No wonder rich people become richer for they pass on to their children the mindset of a successful person. And one of their mindset is it's OK to fail.

Are you scared of failing? How catastrophic can you handle today? Business takes risk. Are you willing to take risks?

One of my favorite lessons in Rich Dad Books is we need to learn how to manage risk. Before, I never consider using the leverage OPM or Other People's Money. I've always used to use my own money to invest in business. But today, with the guidance of mentors and successful businessmen, I'm fine with using OPM. One way of reducing risk in order to make it manageable is having mentors that will guide you through who have experience. And that's one of my advantages that's my business is doing great.

Going into business needs strong mental attitude towards failure and success. You also would need guidance from experienced businessmen who are really doing business on their own. Like what my mentor would sometimes ask,"If you would want to be the best accountant, would you ask an engineer?" The answer is obvious and, thus, if ever you want to be the best in business, you need to ask someone who is successful in business. Be careful to whom you get your advises and to whom you are always with. Being successful means being a great blessing to others. And we need more people who are successful to lead our country forward to prosperity.

Cheers!

Ludwig Rosete

PS. For comments and suggestions, you can email the author at ludwigmarkr@gmail.com. You can also contact 0917.6149.879 (MR. LUDWIG ROSETE) for more info about the business community.

Who is the Leader of the Filipinos?

When I was still in College, I remember thinking about who will replace President Erap when he was about to be impeached. I thought what changes will happen when President Gloria will be in place. I've always asked myself at that time, who can really lead the Filipinos to prosperity.

I guess that's the time I promised that if ever I will have my own family, I would raise my children to become great leaders and as they pass on this passion of mine, at least maybe my great grandson would become a great president and will lift our country to great heights!

Who is the leader of the Filipinos? Who is our leader? How can we lead our generation? Do we have the ability to lead our countrymen? What can I do? These questions left me thinking what can I do for my country.

And as I reflect more, I grew curious what it takes to be a leader. What if I have what it takes? What if I can grow myself and be a great leader? And so, the journey began.

I pursued leadership and I ended up a businessman. I love being a businessman and a great leader at the same time. I've seen the great power of leadership. I never thought I could gain loyalty from very strong and powerful people. Now, I believe the Filipinos will rise to victory against poverty once again. For I myself witnessed that a Filipino have the ability to be a great leader. I witnessed it in myself, I pure-blooded Filipino.

As we strive against poverty and challenges, let us not forget we are destined not just to be good but great. Long live Filipinos!

Ludwig Rosete

PS. For comments and suggestions, you can email the author at ludwigmarkr@gmail.com. You can also contact 0917.6149.879 (MR. LUDWIG ROSETE) for more info about the business community.