AMID THE hustle and bustle of our organizational life in the Ateneo, echoes of the past often clash with the urgency of the present. Holding the position of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo – Manila (COA-M) President, I have been cautioned repeatedly by my predecessors. “Don’t do this,” they scold. “That’s not how we’ve done it before.”
Yet, in the aftermath of the pandemic, we find ourselves on the brink of a renaissance—a rebirth urging us to challenge norms and break new ground.
Emerging from the pandemic’s challenges, I’ve seen that org leaders face a blank canvas, unmarked by the familiar strokes of tradition. This presents us with the significant challenge of reshaping the landscape of student leadership in an era defined by uncertainty.
The journey of rediscovery is abundant with trials. The weight of legacies looms large, constantly reminding us of the expectations that precede us. However, amid the challenge, we can rely on our core values and principles—anchors that guide us through these uncharted waters. These values imbued in our organizations illuminate our path forward, offering clarity in the fog of uncertainty.
Clinging too tightly to the past can blind us to the opportunities of the present. Environments and communities evolve, necessitating our adaptation. I often come across a saying on social media: “To love someone long-term is to attend a thousand funerals of the people they used to be.” This metaphor can apply to org culture too, suggesting that holding onto our organizational identity might sometimes mean letting go of outdated practices that hinder progress.
Traditions and memories hold importance—they can guide us. Yet, as I learned in Discerning Life Questions under Louie Julian’s course, there are two types of attachments: healthy attachments and disordered attachments. Healthy attachments encourage growth, whereas disordered attachments create an unhealthy dependence that can prevent us from fully flourishing and experiencing life.
That’s something we can strive to answer in our organizations: Are we clinging onto the past and what the predecessors and alumni think we should be doing, or are there certain calls for us to innovate and challenge the systems we belong to?
Are traditions we haven’t even had the chance to immerse ourselves in—serving as disordered attachments that become balls and chains we are stuck to—hindering us from seeing the future?
During my tenure as COA-M President, I found myself apologizing to a predecessor for shifting our focus from legislative initiatives to organizational development (OD). “I’m sorry,” I confessed. “I prioritized OD instead of legislation.”
Their response was simple yet it struck me. “It’s fine. Maybe you addressed what was needed right now, and that’s all that matters,” they said.
Indeed, what’s needed is our ability to adapt, evolve, and respond to the evolving needs of our communities. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is clear that the strategies of the past may no longer be sufficient. We must be willing to embrace change, challenge convention, and pioneer new avenues of leadership. While traditions hold intrinsic value, they alone cannot sustain us through change. True leadership lies not in preserving the status quo but in our capacity to innovate, inspire, and effect meaningful change.
As we stand on the point of transformation, reevaluating our ties to the past becomes essential. This discernment allows us to engage authentically with the challenges of the present and liberate ourselves from the allure of an idealized past.
We are not isolated in this journey; the strength of our community is the foundation of our collective success. This year, the vibrancy of our community was highlighted by our willingness to question the status quo and to probe deeply into issues the past could not have anticipated.
Every question we raise and every norm we challenge becomes a stepping stone toward a more adaptable, resilient, and inclusive community. By valuing questions as much as answers, we empower ourselves to tackle emerging challenges that were once beyond our scope.
Let us continue to embrace the spirit of renaissance that this moment demands. Let us ignite a flame of renewal to illuminate our path and cast light far into the future, creating a legacy of innovation and inclusiveness. The journey ahead is undoubtedly filled with uncertainty, but together, as a forward-thinking community built on harmony, we are poised to transform these challenges into opportunities that will define our era.
Ralf is a graduating 4th-year student from Communications Technology Management, poised to leave his mark in 2024. As the President of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo – Manila, he resides in MVP while nurturing a vibrant and empathetic organizational culture, driven by his unwavering passion and empathy.
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.
