Prior deciding to pursue my MBA here in De La Salle University, I have reviewed different program offers from other universities in the metro and even abroad. Aside from wanting to finish this graduate degree in the soonest possible time, I want to develop a progressive leadership style wherein I wouldn’t compromise my established principles and moral compass that my previous institutions have instilled. While reviewing DLSU’s curriculum flow chart, I was intrigued when I saw BUS560M (Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility) under the foundation courses that is required for the program. This was something uniquely offered by the university.
I started my MBA journey in DLSU last September 2019. However, I was not able to enroll in this course on my first term since classes were already full when I decided to enter and reserve my slot. There were also many hesitations on pursuing MBA with just the minimum work experience required, coupled by the need to enroll ManAcc (which definitely is not my strength) on my FIRST term since I got no other option left considering my work schedule. I was overwhelmed with the course requirements together with my fourth quarter brand planning for work. I faced so many deadlines and time went by so fast . I’m grateful that I finished the term with higher grades than what I was expecting! Now, I’m already on my second term and got the chance to enroll in BUS560M under Ms. Pia Manalastas’ class. Additionally, I’m starting to cope up with the transition process of juggling work and school through time management initiatives that I try to practice religiously.
My first day in LBL was very engaging and eye opening, it was expected to start off every term with getting to know the class. But this time it was quite different, everyone have to say Hello to all students that already introduced themselves. Thankfully I was seated on the second row since students from the last row have to memorize everyone’s names! When introducing ourselves, we need to briefly discuss our backgrounds in broad aspects (family, education, and career) to further understand influences that shaped us to the individuals that we are today. We then discussed the syllabus for the term and the learning outputs needed, which includes doing journal entries that aim to strengthen our reflection process through the lessons from the course. Thus, why I’m writing this in between breaks at work.
Through the discussion of the course overview, one lesson that stood out from me was tackling Pope Francis’ Laudato Si. I remember casually reading this material during undergraduate without much action plans in mind. This time, It was more impactful and I really felt the need to take steps for a “Bold cultural revolution” as mentioned by Pope Francis. In a nutshell, Laudato Si is an encyclical that converse tackling complex problems on life, livelihood, heritage, and culture through presentation of holistic views that compel everyone to have a change of heart and encourage positive impacts to the world.
One main highlight of the encyclical is the unbalanced effect of environmental change on developing countries. It was stated that the poor is one of the central themes of the passage wherein the pope provided injurious effects of climate change that are mostly felt by those from developing countries. Aside from concerns of richer and powerful countries not taking into account the plight of the poor with their decisions, the encyclical draw attention to fewer financial resources that enable the poor to adapt to climate change. Moreover, the natural resources of those poorer countries are being exploited by those in power and richer nations to advance their development at the expense of other’s future. Throughout the encyclical, the pope appeals to the Gospels to critique the exclusion of anyone from benefits of the goods of creation. Overall, in decisions regarding the environment and the use of earth’s common resources, the pope repeatedly calls for an appreciation of the “immense dignity of the poor”.
Going through the encyclical was very timely since numerous unfortunate events was happening on the first month of the year. I began to rethink my actions and changed my perspectives in a more holistic approach. Truly, being a Lasallian Business Leader does not only revolved in having great business acumen but most importantly having a well-rounded core values which will offer a positive change in the society. I’m now looking forward in going through ethical frameworks in this class and our service learning activity.
REFLECTIONS ON LASALLIAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP 