The following message was delivered by Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales before the youth leaders of St. James Academy on their Student Leadership Training on November 21, 2008.

Good afternoon, teachers and students of St. James Academy.

This afternoon, I would like to invite you to ponder upon the story of one of the first heroes our parents told us about – that is, the story of David. I am sure that many of you were delighted and even amazed to hear about a young boy who valiantly defeated a giant in a battle using only a sling. However, David’s journey towards greatness and prominence did not end when he triumphed over Goliath. As I begin, I would like to tell you more about David in the hope that you will be further inspired by his example and aspire to be one of the greatest leaders of this nation, of this generation.

David was the last of eight sons to be born to Jesse. In consequence to his being the youngest in the family, the task of keeping his father’s small flock of sheep fell to David. Years before he became king, David killed the bears and the lions that sought to steal his father’s sheep, and he stood up to Goliath in a battle. Both experiences strengthened his character and filled his heart with a spirit of valor and bravery. David also enjoyed hours of solitude so that he could meditate upon his faith, so that he could become skillful on the lyre, and so that he could learn to use the sling with great precision. And being skillful in all these things brought David into close contact with Saul, the very person from whom he learned how to rule. Sometimes, he would learn by imitating what Saul did. Often, he would learn by seeing how badly Saul did his job. But in all these things, David was being shaped for the years and tasks ahead – when he would be anointed as King by Samuel.

This story is not just true of David, years ago. It is also true for YOU TODAY. Leadership development program is one that begins very early in your life. It is not accomplished in the classroom, or through a formal program. It actually takes place in the school called life. You will be put in difficult and challenging circumstances to deepen your yearning for a brighter future and to strengthen your character – and in all these things, you will be molded into an exemplary strong leader.

Why do I say exemplary strong leader? Well, there are many kinds of leadership. Some are weak; some are strong, and there are those which are exemplarily strong. I do not wish to compare and contrast the weak leader and the strong leader --- I simply want to raise our standards this day by making us choose as to who we would want to emulate: the strong leader or the exemplarily strong leader.

The strong leader is able to lead and manage his team or organization in the way that is expected of him. He decides with a firm resolve to achieve the organization's goals and to make an impact in the community he wishes to connect with. The strong leader is able to command respect--even reverential fear, perhaps. People undoubtedly follow him. People submit to him. Because he is a strong leader, you can be a strong leader, too.

In contrast, the exemplarily strong leader sparks action among the people who follow him. He doesn't merely command. He sparks initiative. Because he is an inspiration worth imitating, his followers act for the good of the organization without him having to laboriously lay down excruciating commands left and right.

The exemplarily strong leader is trustworthy. He is trustworthy because his followers know him. They know who he is; they know where he came from; they know the values he cherishes; they are aware that their leader is imbued with undisputed integrity and unstained honesty. Unlike the strong leader, the exemplarily strong leader does not merely keep his positive values to himself. Instead, he transmits his values to his followers. His charisma is infectious. And he uses his influence to motivate and positively impact the lives of his people. Because of so much positivity and optimism that emanates from him, the exemplarily strong leader effortlessly fosters collaboration in the organization. He is able to promote unity because he himself is a model of solid character and consistency.

At the end of the day, what makes the big difference between the strong and the exemplarily strong is accountability, transparency, integrity and the legacy he leaves behind. Any leader cannot be said exemplary when the people around him do not have access to his ideals, beliefs, work ethics and convictions. To be exemplary is to be a good example. And an example is not an example unless you see it, see through it and come to the knowledge of it.

Let every leader in this place who desires to be exemplarily strong bear these ideals. I challenge you to be accountable to your followers and to the community and institution you serve. Accept responsibility for every task you undertake.

Be bold in facing the consequences of your actions. I challenge you to be transparent. Let your people know you; give them access to your ideals, access to your convictions, access to every information they have a right to be privy to.

I challenge you to possess integrity of character. Exercise truthfulness and justice in every dealing you make.

And at the end of it all, your valuable legacy and contribution to this institution is that you would have inspired and trained up a leader who will take your place when you move on to higher grounds and who will continue what you have begun.

To end, I would like to tell you of another king, who, unlike David, is unfamiliar to most of you. His name is Shutruk-Nakhkhunte (read as Shutruk Nahunte). He is a virtually unknown king who speaks of his list of conquests, but speaks nothing about the benefits. This king is unknown in history, because "great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance."