Leadership Standards in Selecting Candidates for Local and National Elections (PMAP)

 

Leadership Standards in Selecting Candidates for Local and National Elections

PMAP Press Conference was held last February 28, 2012 at Sofitel Phil Plaza for the purpose of informing the public what’s the right perspective and standards on how to select candidates we will vote and reappoint so that we will have an effective and sound decisions to every needed actions , for every sensitive issues the country are  facing specially with foreign contingencies and other intensive issues within the  local agencies of the government.

Experts from the human resource management field today urged the candidates in the upcoming local and national elections to present their credentials, background and experiences to the people based on the competencies and character required and the roles they will play as leaders of the country.

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the premiere organization of people managers and HR practitioners in the country with more than 1,800 member companies and individual members and 22 chapters nationwide, urged the public to evaluate the candidates’ capacity to assume the roles of 1) navigator and captain of the ship, 2) a servant-leader with a genuinely caring heart and work ethic to achieve the goals of government, 3) guardian of the national wealth & resources, 4) captivator to inspire unity, trust & optimism among the people, and 5) mobilizer of concerned government and non government and private sectors to achieve objectives and build consensus.

“Every day, we are already being bombarded with various messages from the candidates as well as from various opinion-makers. We would like to share with the public the behaviors and competencies required in the job as local and national officials to help the voters assess the knowledge, abilities, motivations and personal attributes of the candidates. Hopefully this will help voters ask the right questions and be more discerning about the candidates. ” said Grace C. Sorongon, PMAP President.

PMAP partnered with one of its member companies, SGV- Development Dimensions International, in identifying the framework that shall be used in competency assessment. DDI is one of the pioneers worldwide in the analysis and identification of job competencies. Based on more than 30 years of research and experience in assessment, development, and coaching of senior leaders, DDI helped PMAP identify the roles that characterize senior strategic leadership.

PMAP interviewed past presidents, and other public officials from the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as representatives of the media to identify critical incidents that the president as chief executive officer and politician must successfully deal with in order to lead the country. On that basis, the roles were defined as the basis for identifying the intellectual competencies, character traits and political skills required for success in the position.

According to PMAP, elected officials steer the ship of state to arrive at the “destination” of a just & humane society. Based on the in-depth analysis of the country’s complex issues, they must provide a clear vision of where to steer the country and the way to go to that destination.

PMAP also cited that an effective leader should be able to mobilize and lead his jurisdiction and proactively build alliances with concerned sectors to achieve complex objectives and build consensus. He or she must be able to get the support of various interest groups and power brokers in the socio-political and economic arena to get key initiatives implemented.

As servant-leader, PMAP said government officials should be able to sacrifice personal, familial or other vested interests for the common good, display humility and reach out to all sectors, practice good work ethic and learn continuously.

PMAP said given the fractious nature of the Philippine society today where divisiveness tends to get in the way of progress and development, the leaders must be able to win the hearts and minds of an increasingly cynical citizenry, and show consistency in speech and action. As guardian of national wealth, patrimony, and law and order, they should also be able to demonstrate strong political will and be the role model leaders in the fight against graft and corruption.

PMAP strives to mold an enlightened, competent, socially responsible and influential sector of people managers who can effectively participate in nation-building. The group believes that its expertise as human resource management professionals can be best utilized by providing the people with proper guidance in the selection of candidates applying for the job during elections.

As the country adds a new chapter to its rich history this coming May, PMAP will also reach another milestone this year as it prepare for its 50^th Annual Conference to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center from September 25-27 with the theme, ”Global Opportunities. Leaping Forward. Defying Limits. (END)