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The operating funds of the Social Security System (SSS)
were almost depleted when Corazon de la Paz assumed leadership of
the institution in 2001. Benefits increasedmore than premium
contributions; actuarial life was shortened. Now, the institution is
no longer in the red. It is in good financial health and it is to be
turned over in good shape to a new administrator, Romulo Neri.
SSS recovered through
cost-cutting, operational enhancements and prudent investments. Most
of all, it is the kind of leadership that de la Paz exercised that
made the recovery possible. Any competent manager would have thought
of the same measures, yet the key to having things done is winning
the trust of your people in the organization.
Leaders can only transform and
adapt their organizations to the extent that their followers trust
them. De la Paz created a climate of trust, which fostered
collaboration and cooperation. Trust exists when one is willing to
take risk with the action of another person based on the belief that
the person has good intentions and behavior. Employees and officers
of SSS shared their ideas, knowledge and resources even to the
extent of agreeing to forego their benefits for almost three years
just to help cut down costs. They believed that de la Paz is a good
person and has good intentions.
There may be three possible
attitudes toward Romulo Neri as new president of SSS: trust,
distrust and respect. In the professional realm, a person can be
trusted based on competence and behavior. Competence refers to the
possession of knowledge and skills needed to do the job. Behavior
refers to the actions of the individual. When one is competent and
exhibits trustworthy behavior, he can be trusted. When one is
neither competent nor trustworthy in behavior, he should be
distrusted. When one is either competent or trustworthy in behavior,
he deserves respect.
De la Paz thinks that Neri has
what it takes to be a good SSS president. Furthermore, Neri, in an
article published in another newspaper on July 11 stated, “I think
I am qualified for the new position. I’m an MBA graduate from
UCLA, major in Finance, International Business and my background has
also been finance. I teach finance, operate finance at AIM
investment banking, pension fund management and other areas of
finance including financial derivatives.” House Speaker Prospero
Nograles even considered him overqualified for the job.
A boss worthy of trust behaves
consistently. He is receptive, transparent and considerate. His
actions can be predicted by subordinates because he acts logically
in every situation. They understand the logic of his actions. Not
only does he act logically but he also abides by principles which
the subordinates accept. He is seen to be coherent in values, words
and actions. He is honest and he keeps his promises. In a sense, he
has integrity. A boss worthy of trust is also receptive, transparent
and considerate. He is open to the ideas of the subordinates. He
also shares the information that affects them in a timely and
detailed manner and explains the wisdom of decisions. He is
considerate to the extent that he is sensitive to the needs of the
employees. The protection of their interest is his concern.
Neri invites his critics to
assess his performance by looking at his record at NEDA, DBM and
CHED. However, it is the NBN-ZTE controversy that casts serious
doubt to his behavior. For de la Paz, it is the public perception on
the many controversies that hounded Neri which is difficult to
erase.
At the very least, Neri deserves
respect. We may not be his subordinates in the institution but we
have a stake as contributors to the fund. Our attitude is also
important. Our respect is needed. In the words of de la Paz quoted
in the July 11 article in another newspaper, “He had better
knowledge and experience to plan for our country’s future.”
Let’s give him a chance. In the end, our respect may eventually
become trust.
The author teaches at the
Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Graduate School of Business, College of
Business and Economics of the De la Salle University in Manila. She
welcomes comments at vixie_tibon@yahoo.com
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