By Atty. Howie Calleja
To quote our President in his speech at the kick-off ceremony of the national tax campaign: “I encourage the public to pay the correct amount of taxes on time to support the country’s economic recovery and expansion so critical in this time”. As such, Pres. Marcos Jr. articulated his confidence towards us tax payers that we will continue to “cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate with the government” in terms of improving the experience of the country’s collection system.
Articulate as this may seem, inspiring collective action isn’t just a matter of Rhetoric — it is a call to lead by example and to have the moral ascendancy to call others to follow your lead as well. Two of which would be very difficult if one has been convicted by final judgment of violating the tax code and continues to refuse to pay a final, executory the demandable estate tax amounting to more than 200 billion pesos. To lead by example means to guide others through your actions instead of your words. Your intention is to motivate others to duplicate your behavior. The opposite of leading by example is to say one thing and do another.
As American Author, Wilfred Peterson would say: “The leader sees things through the eyes of his followers. He puts himself in their shoes and helps them make their dreams come true. The leader does not say, ‘Get going!’ Instead he says, ‘Let’s go!’ and leads the way. He does not walk behind with a whip; he is out in front with a banner.”
Leaders set the tone for their constituents through examples set in public policy. Not only will government workers pick up on a leader’s positive cues and will follow them, but leaders will also have a better chance at enforcing the code of ethics when they are doing things the way they want their followers to do them. “Do as I say, not as I do,” doesn’t engender a lot of respect from citizens. Leading by example does.
Leading by example also means that leaders not only set the standard for their team but also “walk the talk”. As a result, the government institution (or office) is more likely to be productive and cohesive. Leaders who lead by example are typically more effective at communicating with their group. It is also true that leaders need to lead by example for their team to feel motivated and inspired. They are also better able to build trust, as team members know they can count on their leader to do the right thing.
In the end, demanding others to follow your command means that you have the moral ascendancy to do so. The term Moral Ascendancy is composed of two words — Moral which according to Webster’s Dictionary means conforming to a standard of right behavior. Ascendancy on the other hand means controlling influence or dominance. In short, moral ascendancy means influencing others by conforming to a standard of right behavior.
Remember … How can a leader successfully communicate his/her ideas if he/she is not anymore being listened too because of his corroding moral authority? And, how can a leader command discipline and deference if the actions that he/she exhibits are missing in discipline and respect? Such leadership is like a beautiful castle built on sand on the seashore.