DOST-8 middle managers learn F.Covey's 7Habits

Imagine an organization with highly competent people. The field was cleared, instruments ran smoothly, and people were too eager with high spirits. The outputs were overflowing but there was a stinging pain of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion after the tasks were done. What could possibly went wrong? Perhaps, there needed to be some fine tuning in the workers' characters and values. There must be a revisiting of the habits of effectiveness.

The passion of Dir. Edgardo M. Esperancilla, DOST-8 Regional Director to share the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to his middle managers came into fruition when 20 senior officers of the office completed the course last June 19-21, 2014. I was fortunate I was one of the 20. We thanked the soft-spoken Dir. Ed for letting us experience the program. Dir. Esperancilla completed the said training years back. "It changed my life," he told us.

'I felt grateful for this tool which will not only enhance my work effectiveness but my personal way of dealing with my own life, my relationship with others, and my duties as a human being.' Well, that's a quote from my own mind, which I could have said if I was given the chance to speak then during the closing program. But since time was limited, few volunteers uttered the same thought - of course, using different words.

Ms. Christine Javier of the Center for Leadership and Change, Inc. shared her experience and competence in the 7H program by facilitating the 3-day activity that was held in Tierra de Milagros in Palo, Leyte. Her talents made our spirits "levitate" from Cloud 7 to Cloud 9, with good synthesis and a healthy sense of humor. Ms. Mafe Caalim,also from CLCI, assisted Christine during the activities. That would be a thumbs up for Ma'am Christine and Mafe. Looking ahead for the follow up activities.

The challenge laid upon us is great. The next seven weeks will be the start of a journey in creating a path in our minds. A path that would make way for the habits to create a regular patterns in our routine. Though it's hard, being proactive is a key to achieving what had been carved in our mind as an end result, the vision of what we want to be.

ISO Preparation activities

The month of June was a hectic month for Biliran PSTC. Not only that our activities were focused on finalizing our implementation of ISO 9000:2008 for accreditation purposes, but also that my assistant, SRS II, is on leave for the entire month, and sadly he planned to resign starting July 2009; for greener pasture, I suppose.

The whole DOST-8 was occupied with series of events on ISO and provincial staff were required to join. We have our Internal Audit training last month, of course with MIRDC, and the actual conduct of Internal Audit.

Despite the time pressure, with me out of office most of the time, new projects are being worked out and are on the pipeline. I would mention them on the next post. Thanks to my job order staff, a janitorial employee who is able to cope the instant promotion (of work only, not pay) in becoming my SRS II. Things really are tough in the DOST. Well, that's science and technology.