Traits to look for in the next Philippines president

If Presidential candidates undergo a job interview before they get hired, what questions should voters ask? PMAP President Grace Zata tells us.

For the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), a human resource management group, it’s all about educating voters on how to pick worthy presidential candidates in the 2010 polls, just like company managers would – by careful evaluation.

The PMAP narrowed down 5 essential qualities that each Philippine president must have, including political and people skills.

These criteria, based on job competency frameworks used in the corporate sector, were identified based on extensive research and interviews by the PMAP and a member-company, SGV-Development Dimensions International.

The organization spoke with past presidents, chief justices, executive secretaries, and media about what it takes for the president to lead a country.

President’s roles

Grace Abella-Zata, PMAP President, said in a press conference on Wednesday that any would-be president must perform each of the following roles in order to succeed:

1. Navigator.
- Able to steer the country towards a just and humane society, and knows how to get the country there.
- Has specific plans of action in solving problems like poverty, education, or corruption.
- Is decisive when faced with complex issues and hence, must be intelligent.

2. Mobilizer
- Must be good at building alliances to achieve consensus
- Must work well with Congress and Senate

3. Servant leader
- Must serve the people with a caring heart
- Must put the public interest first before vested interests
- Works hard and well to achieve the goals of government

4. Inspirational leader
- Must know how to work well with the press
- Can inspire unity, trust, and optimism among the people by being a good and moral leader

5. Guardian of national wealth and resources
- Allocates and uses the country’s resources properly
- Demonstrates strong political will, and is able to make right decisions for the common good, even if the decision is unpopular.

Source: top-5-things-look-president