Page 3 - Dash of SPiCE (December 14, 2018)

Graduates’ Testimonials

The passion and commitment for learning emanated from ASPiRE graduates at the OEA. As they expressed their appreciation
and gratitude through powerful stories about their journey towards pursuing the path of leaders, we hope their testimonials will
inspire employees to enroll in the ASPiRE Medal programs.

Head, Heart, and Hand.
by Kirby Del Socorro Ramos, Dumaguete
For most of us, as you can tell, these are what comprise the Leadership DNA. True enough, these very components are the
metaphors that would also sum up the learnings and teachings I’ve acquired throughout the course of my Bronze Leadership
Training Program journey. Allow me to sum up my experience during the whole duration of this endeavor with my very own
definition of the three.
Head: Before joining the roster of future SPi Global leaders, I’ve always had a deep fascination with further knowledge or studies.
Somehow, I knew the program would be relevant and tailor-fit for me. In addition, I’ve always had a positive attitude as regards tackling and dealing with
things; as a matter of fact, I was so eager and ecstatic to start my first day at bronze. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew for certain that it was going
to be fun. This thought too has been reinforced by the idea that attitude is altitude, which is one of the take-home pearls I’ll always cherish. Everything starts
within yourself and proper mindset is key. Optimism should always prosper in everything that you set your mind into even when clouded with negative
thoughts. During the early phase of our training, this has always been inculcated in us: that once you start within yourself, literally from the way you dress
and how you present yourself, people will take notice and the rest will follow; thus you can be of greater influence to those that surround you. I’ve also
learned to broaden my horizon and to widen my thinking when it came to dealing with certain situations that requires utmost discernment, because at
times we can be very impulsive. It is then when I learned that you should always practice having a growth mindset rather than a fixed one. Instead of
focusing on how things can go crash, burn, and go downhill, always know that there will always be avenues to learn and improve upon. Things can go a
positive route despite negative setbacks.
Heart: For me, this is where compassion and respect towards my fellow companion come in. I knew for a fact that, coming into Bronze, I would rub
shoulders with people from different walks of life with different circumstances and different but interesting stories to tell. The Bronze Leadership Training
Program has helped me humble myself and realize that we may come various accounts, but the respect and friendship we have for one another would
always remain steadfast. This training has helped me and my batch mates to work closely with one another to reach a common goal, and that is not only
to merely graduate but to come out as holistic and driven individuals clothed and equipped with the SPI moral values.
Hand: Lending a helping hand to my peers is always something that I will always champion. As a quality assurance analyst for Springer Books, I always make
it a point to provide constructive feedback to language editors as it is not only customary but vital for one’s improvement. With the Bronze Leadership
Training Program, it has taught me that providing feedback does not necessarily equate to trampling on their confidence, marginalizing their abilities, and
belittling their capacities; instead proper feedback should encourage people to do better, work better, and perform better, thus creating a more effective
and efficient system benefitting not only employees but the
organization as a whole.

In totality, the Bronze Leadership Training Program is more than just a program for me; it is an avenue where I can express and develop myself in every facet
of life. It has taught me to be driven and systematic and to attack thing “S-M-A-R-Tly” Never were there any dull memories especially with the mentorship
of Miss Jherl and the ever-hilumon Arvin. I’m proud to have graduated amongst the likes of individuals in front of me, passionate and driven individuals, for
I know that after this program shall have ended, we will still ASPiRE to reach for our stars and ASPiRE to be the best.
Message to Fellow Graduates

by Josh Fuentes, Parañaque
On behalf of the Bronze Class of SPi Global – Paranaque, I would like to success of an organization lies in its people. Let us all continue to be risk
thank all our colleagues, team leaders, managers, facilitators, administrators takers, for as long as we know that it would benefit the majority. Because as
and everyone who has been part of this journey. Most of all I want to future leaders, we don’t just represent ourselves anymore; we represent our
acknowledge all of YOU; the ambitious, brilliant, talented, accomplished people.
and outstanding graduates of Aspire University class of 2018. Why don’t we
all give ourselves a big round of applause for a job well done! Congratula- The future has so much more in store for us, no matter where our journey
tions to all of us! started, we all have made it here today – that is because of our great
determination, unwavering commitment, and sacrifices. And in no time, the
My name is Joshua Fuentes, I am a Subject Matter Researcher from SPi goals that we presented, be it personal or professional – won’t be just goals,
Global – Paranaque. During the start of our training, we were asked: “As but realities. Because we are now equipped to be quick problem solvers, to
future leaders, what is our purpose?” According to former U.S. President, determine risks, and to be disruptive leaders. Let us continue to push ideas
John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn out of the box and embrace these changes.
more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
We now embody the DNA of a LEADER, the HEAD that drives the vision, the
So that time I asked myself, do I have what it takes to be a leader? I don’t HEART that executes with passion, and the HANDS that build and promote
think this is for me. As a graduate of Communication Arts, whenever I cover lasting relationships.
success stories of personalities, people around them would always say, “Oh!
He/She was born to be a leader” that has always been the case but with Now, the learning doesn’t stop here. This is just the beginning.
Aspire University my outlook has changed, I realized it is not always right
because “Leaders are not born, but made.” You may not be a born leader, We must continue to aspire, to inspire our colleagues to be I AM MoRE. A
but you can be made as a leader. ASPiRE University has given us a platform person who has INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILTY, MALASAKIT, MERITOCRACY,
where shy people become bold, and quiet people begin to speak. It is and RESPECT. And for me, that is my purpose as a leader. Always find your
already a privilege in its self to be selected to be a part of Bronze Training motivation – it maybe your family, a country you want to visit someday, or
because as we all know, only a few chosen team members are enrolled future investment. Whatever it is, hold on to it very tightly that whenever you
every year – and you are chosen because someone saw a potential in you are dragging yourself to work, just look at it and always find the reason for
to be a LEADER but for me I believe that we all have that potential in all of everything.
us, we just need someone or something like Aspire to ignite that fire within
us. With that being said, I would like to thank ASPiRE University and SPi Global,
for giving me the chance to be a global leader, now I am more confident
We have come so far to reach this milestone in our lives, the past 7 to 11 that wherever my career takes me, I now have a sense of purpose.
weeks of training went by too fast. With Bronze Training, I further realized the
value of TEAMWORK, HARDWORK and PERSEVERANCE. It is true that the

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