TALK OVER A MEAL WITH THE POLICE PERSONNEL OF BAUAN MPS

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Participating in the everyday routines of the police personnel during the cadet attachment program was a memorable and enlightening experience. The opportunity to interact with them allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of their lives, challenges, and responsibilities that come with their profession. It was a humbling experience, as I realized the immense sacrifice that these brave men and women make on a daily basis to ensure the safety and security of our communities.

During my time with them, I learned that leadership is not just about commanding and giving orders, but also about listening and empathizing with the people under your command. As aspiring leaders, we must always remember that our subordinates are also people with families, aspirations, and struggles of their own. By understanding their situation and being there to help them, we can build a stronger, more cohesive team that can better fulfill the organization's mandate.

The interaction with the personnel also highlighted the importance of building trust and camaraderie within an organization. In times of crisis, it is the trust and bond between team members that can make all the difference in achieving success. The time spent eating and laughing with them, as well as observing how they worked together, allowed me to appreciate the value of this bond, and I realize that this is something that must be continuously nurtured in any organization.

It was a profound experience that left a lasting impact on me. It has taught me the importance of leadership, trust, camaraderie, and the value of being a servant leader. These lessons will serve me well as I continue on my path toward becoming a leader in the Philippine National Police. It’s important to maintain a culture of inclusiveness and trust. And that requires relationships within the workplace. When you eat lunch with your coworkers virtually or face to face, in return you’ll get a closer team. It’s an effortless and natural team-building exercise.

This experience has instilled in me the importance of being a servant leader, one who puts the needs of others before their own. This kind of leadership requires humility, empathy, and the willingness to lead by example. As aspiring leaders, we must always strive to put ourselves in the shoes of those under our command, understand their situations, and provide support and assistance whenever needed.

MindTools | Home. (n.d.). https://www.mindtools.com/ad648ub/servant-leadership

Peterson, M. (2022, May 2). Why it’s Still Important to Have Lunch with Coworkers. Limeade. https://www.limeade.com/resources/blog/eating-lunch-coworkers-good-well/