When asked what shaped his leadership, Fr. Ben points to his ascetical training, “There was little money in the Vigan Seminary and we lived on an Ilocano diet of rice and fish and lots of patis[1]. In the seminary we had no radio, no TV, no newspapers, silence, including during meals, except during recreation time after meals and for an hour in the afternoon, lights out at 9:30 pm. Add to this my Ilocano[2] upbringing - a philosophy of life that you really need very little in terms of material things – you should do without. What counts is yourself and your inner strength.”
Beyond his environment, Fr. Ben talks about the importance of self-awareness in a leader. “Heifetz[3] calls it being able to stand on the balcony, watching yourself on the dance floor. Even in my grade school years, I was always aware of another self watching me. I think our self-awareness and self-image is important, because in great part it determines what gifts we share.”
Fr. Ben’s simplicity, strength of character and self-awareness is complemented by a mind of a mathematician and strategist. He explains, “My recollection is that I was most aware of gifts of intellect and efficiency. I thought the main gifts I could give as Dean was to help shape strategic vision and direction. I saw my contribution as a reading of the national and international environment for the Ateneo and shaping our response. I also felt that I could ensure greater efficiency in the school through precise budgets, scheduling, etc.”
Beyond the leadership skills, is his spirituality, “In the Spiritual Exercises we are asked to find joy and peace in suffering with Christ. In the novitiate, our spirituality encouraged acceptance of physical pain. In some ways, your ability to be an effective leader depends on how much pain you can take.” Not surprisingly, Fr. Ben has shepherded the university through some controversial and painful changes – the transition from an all-boys college to a co-ed university; the restructuring from one Arts and Sciences college to that of four schools; the revision of the core curriculum, to name a few.
Many leaders think about legacies – things they want to be remembered for or leave behind. Yet for Fr. Ben, what’s important to him is not the past, but the future, “To the younger generation, I would like to tell you that it is your mission to read the world of your time and what the next decades are likely to be and to help the unit you lead to engage that world effectively. I hope you will not be trapped in a vision and mission simply shaped by the past, but you will read the trends of your times and shape vision and mission that prepare your department, your school, your unit for the coming 10, 20, 30 years.”
Simple. Strong. Visionary. Jesuit. Servant leader.
I am honored to have served you and call you friend.