The Three Idiots the movie: A reflection

Leadership and management was indeed a paramount theme in the movie The Three Idiots. I have noticed a number of our classroom and textbook lessons to come to (virtual) life in the movie. It has boldly created a thick line in defining between being a mere manager and being a leader entirely. Of course, being a leader is much better.

The book about leadership and management by Huston and Marquis would define that managers have subordinates whose willingness are not at all considered. Leaders do not have subordinates, for leaders have willing followers. Many organizational leaders like the Virus do have subordinates, but only because he is authorized in position. His students respect him only by title. Virus failed as a leader because he was not able to give up formal authoritarian control and dealt with involuntarily engineering robots.

I came across the transactional style and transformational style of leading in my textbook, and the movie allowed me to see it in full view.

How virus maneuvered the Imperial College of Engineering was transactional. How parents in the Indian families of Rancho’s friends are in transactional styles as well; in that the manager (virus or the parents) tells the subordinate (students) what to do, and the subordinate immediately follows this “that is how it is and it has to be done”. The robots that they are accomplish tasks without knowing its value. This is where I saw the absence of a transformational leader in Virus and the parents. Dictating instructions does not light up the eyes of these students, they will do as they are told but not genuinely follow. There was an absence of appeal to their heart but an abundance of demand to their minds. Virus saw his students as nothing more than mere students, failing to give them transformation, just mere education.

In my readings, I have stumbled upon this quotation probably by an anonymous writer: “leadership is doing the right thing and management is doing things right” This elucidates the importance of transactional and transformational styles in leading.

A person must have the ability to manage the set and in ordered tasks and accomplish them, while allowing themselves to see the space for growth and learning in the process.

This was a pretty lengthy movie, jam-packed with quite a number of enticing and thought provoking scenes. I am tasked to narrow down scenes that were seriously got caught in the net of my mind and stayed there, and I simply refuse to stick to one. Let me share with you four particular scenes that I found most intriguing.

The first one was the Virus’ story about the keel/cuckoo bird. Virus gave high regards to this bird for it reflected his personality, thus his management skills. I clearly remember him saying, “The bird's life begins with murder. It rests on the nest of other birds and kills the competition, because there is only one place at the top”. The lack of transformational approach to his students is again seen here. Competition is healthy for every man but how Virus perceived it was ruthless.

The second is the scene I found fascinating was of Rancho in one of his engineering class and he had a dispute with his professor about the definition of machines. It is a sad reality that textbook definitions nowadays are the only ones considered correct by teachers. Rancho mentioned that they were being robots and machines themselves by conforming to the system. It leaves no space for students to absorb its meaning but rather requires students to photocopy it to their brains and say it out as it was in the textbooks. Like pretty little parrots.

“Give me some sunshine, give me some rain. Give me another chance to grow up once again”

The tune was haunting. The third scene that captivated me would be the one about Joy Lobo and his sad succumbing to suicide. He was so close to accomplishment but the door was slammed shut before him. He was killed before he got a chance to live. Rancho considered it to be murder, I would have to agree. Pressure is a vicious killer.

And lastly, the scene I consider worth mentioning about is the one when Rancho confronted Virus about the education system as a whole. Although considering the setting to be in India, I do believe it is still strongly relatable to the education mechanisms of the rest of the countries in the world. Grades create a divide, according to rancho. It disappoints rather than inspire. It frightens young minds, rather than inspire.

Leadership starts at home. In a household where command and power is a one-way stream, children could end up being prisoners of systems and conformists because that is how they were raised. Rancho’s two friends were raised in a typical Indian family setting where there was no voice for every member. They carried the fear they had at home to their school, to their social lives, to their life. Families are indeed the basic unit of communities. A child reared from a well-managed home will bring confidence to his school, will grow up non-conforming to his community, will be part of a transformational government and will be a citizen of a better world. This, I heartily dream of.

This film has changed the lens covering my eyes and I now see the word ‘success’ quite differently. I used to wear horse’s eye covers and focus on that bright light up ahead, not road, pavements and souls I am speeding on by. My don’t-commit-mistakes-everything-should-be-perfect father is an absolute example of a perfectionist and I have sadly adapted that. I see now the downside of just aiming for perfection. Perfection is inhumane. I should start becoming a realist more than a perfectionist. (Ok, I am not certain if ‘realist’ is an accepted word in the English language, but my definition I think is quite relatable).

I learned in this film that excellence, not success, should be intentional. The quality of my work in school and accomplishment of other tasks will shift from a conforming-standard to right down outstanding. This would help me shine brighter. Quality always stands out.

I also learned from this film that there is more to life than mere routines and schedules. From waking up, to coffee, to bathing, to school, to NCM classes, to meals and sleep, we all have routines. They help us accomplish what needs to be accomplished. They lessen levels of stress because we already know the what-to-do’s of the day. Familiarity is a safe comfortable ground, yes, but life is more than checking boxes in a checklist.

I realize now routines also allow many of us to get idle. Lethargic in our thinking, shiftless in our relationships, and indolent in the expectations we set for ourselves. I admire Rancho for being so spontaneous and open to every possibility that could be; not fearing any moment and enabling to convince himself that “All Izz Well”.

One thing that made Rancho stand out among a sea of dull engineering students was his passion for learning. I wish I had the same enthusiasm for nursing like how he was with engineering. I know I made the wrong turn by getting to a course I had no heart for. But since I am already here, might as well fall in love with it. I already am starting to. I have been reflecting on this since last year. I realize now why I got removed from section A last year. With my minor classes, from philosophy to English to sociology, history and all the sort, I would mark up not less than 95 in grade. But when it comes to my subjects relating to nursing, I define mediocrity. My realization is that, I declared my despise for nursing before I even gave it a chance.

To be brutally honest, in the early days of my college life, I regretted putting that Nike logo in the tiny box besides the print 'Nursing'. It came upon me that nursing was a crappy path to medical school. Literally, I had to wipe asses and clean crap. Often, I whined like the spoiled-brat that I am to my folks: "Why did you let me take up nursing? Why mom? Why dad? Why? Don't you love me?”. Pretty much, I had the lowest respect for my course. It was to me, domesticity gone pro. Clinical instructors would say "nursing is an art", boy, did that ever made me frown. I found the classroom lectures in my freshman year quite trivial. And the return-demos of procedures such as "proper hand washing", "bed making", and "proper shampooing to a patient"; I found extremely pathetic and thought-allergic.

I tended my patients needs as if patients were made up of nothing but physiologic. My heartless duties did not last too long though. Some patients got to me. I slowly opened my blinds and so how human they are, actually, more human than I was. They had needs, and it was my duty to take care of them. Slowly I saw them at a different light. I saw how fragile my patients are and how big my responsibility is. I began to have an actual appreciation for my course. I am slowly now giving it its much-deserved respect. Hopefully, this new found young love for nursing would help me excel, dragging my grades up of course (not that they mean the world); even if I only have one last year of chance left.

If I am fully committed to what I do, with passion and determination, my excellence with fruit out success. I will strive to be like Rancho, optimizing and living up his full potential.

Ross Ethics: An insight

This theory is not as stiff as the Utilitarianism theory and the Kantian theory; it allows space for the complexities of actual human situations. Ross believes that we should not stick to absolute rules alone when deciding on how to act; he said we must also consider reason and our understanding of the situation.

We are faced with a wide variety of cases in the area of health care everyday. Our patients are not manufactured in a uniform setting from some rusty factory in the universe. There really is diversity. Some patients are available for conformity to the ‘usual’ care given in health care units but a lot of patients have needs and situations that requires us health care providers to consider.

It is of great (considerable) value to the nursing profession because Ross Ethics considers the actual and prima facie duties. In most cases, especially here in the third world setting where the nurse:patient ratio is never one is to one, the fulfillment of our duties are usually tested. Even in dealing with a single patient, we have a split of going to the duty to the client, duty to our superiors or duty to ourselves. For example, we find out that the patient we are caring for is an HIV positive. This puts our safety as first line health care givers on the line. Our physician would say we must not yet inform the patient but then this also creates a conflict about the trust the patient gave to us by simply allowing himself be taken cared of by us.

Now as advocates of general human health, we consider also the family, especially the spouse, who is at highest risk of getting or already having the HIV. This kinds of dilemmas are often present in the areas. We have our duty to ourselves, our duty to out client, our suoerior, our fellow men, to whom do we take care of first? This is where Ross Ethics comes in. It asks us nurses not to stick to stiff heartless rules alone but consider all the aspects that could make our decision right and correct or wrong.

People Power Revolution to our own Revolution

Silent tears flooded Epifanio de los Santos Avenue as deafening prayers roared across the horizons of the Pearl of the Orient. For the freedom fighters, there was no assurance, no solid ground. Just a bunch of silky yellow ribbons dancing gracefully with the wind, a ton of hands clenched together, and more than two million hearts intertwined. This was the rebirth of our democracy. This was the Yellow Revolution.

More than two decades ago, the world watched with awe as the Filipinos awaken from their long wretched slumber and emerged to the realm of consciousness and thought. They stood dumbfounded as the Filipinos went out from the lurking shadows and bravely came marching down with heavy stomps towards the light armed with nothing but hope. We Filipinos were once taught, but that year, 1986, it was us who enlightened the world of what it means to be democratic. Of what it means to be free. Of what it means to be Filipino.

Ferdinand Marcos ruled the country for many never to be forgotten years. He did his job. Yes, he accomplished projects in great numbers. He made good relations with the rest of the world. He propelled the economy into greater heights. He was an intelligent man. But intelligence alone is not enough to rule a country. To emphasize it, intelligence alone is not enough to rule a ‘Philippines’.

Filipinos are neither robots nor puppets. This is the reality that probably gave Marcos dreary sleepless nights. Well, aside maybe from the nagging of his shoe-addicted hair-bee-hived over-dressed wife, Imelda.

Filipinos are indeed patient people but not doormats. They did not revolt for insignificant reasons; they revolted for their freedom. I am pretty sure FREEDOM is significant.

When then-president Ferdinand Marcos was barred from running a third-term presidency, he declared Martial Law. Just like that. In a single declaration, he stole the power off every Filipinos hands. He sliced of every Filipinos choice. He became a one-man show. No freedom of speech, no freedom of expression, no liberties, no nothing. The country was sticky pink gum under his soles. He held the strings of the puppet show, known before as the ‘Philippines’.

“Ibon mang may layang lumipad

Kulungin mo at umiiyak

Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag

Ang di magnasang makaalpas!

Pilipinas kong minumutya

Pugad ng luha ko't dalita

Aking adhika,

Makita kang sakdal laya!”

“Bayan Ko”, this was theme song that accompanied the struggles fought by the Filipinos. More than just a compilation of words, this song helped unite the Filipinos in ways most unexpected.

I read once, that a country is united by three major factors. One is faith; second is music; and third is the food. I agree with the article. But considering the condition and circumstances faced by the Filipinos 23 years ago, I believe that four principles embraced the hearts of the Filipinos that time, thus, giving People Power Revolution a page in history:

First is faith. Faith for God, faith for the country, and faith for fellow Filipinos. The hope that flares in the hearts of each citizen gave a speck of chance for change, for revolution. Citizens who stood bare for danger, well, stood there because they did not lose hope. They refused to surrender to conceited human power for they know there is an omnipotent power far more dominant than of Ferdinand’s. They believed in that power, in that God. Filipinos, as believers, came together as one united nation.

Second is the selflessness. The two million did not gather there for their own interest. They exposed themselves to the unexpected for they thought of something greater than themselves --their country. Filipinos were united by their altruism. Marching for the sake of others, praying for the sake of others, crying for the sake of others. This was a very vivid reality during the Yellow Revolution. This is what made every single one of those who went heroes. This is why we call ourselves Filipinos.

Third is courage. Fear is a natural enemy. But Marcos’ power was a far stronger and spine-chilling fear than the usual fear of spiders or darkness. Trepidation for the death of freedom caught every Filipino terror-stricken. A dark blanket of defeat and helplessness covered the country. But the bravery, the audacity of the Filipinos fought back for what is good. They fought a giant wave of power without any assurance of victory or even survival. They just knew they had to stand up, and with all their guts, they did. February 25, 1986, we made our dear Lapu-lapu proud.

And fourth is the acknowledgement of the citizens that they ARE indeed Filipinos. It was truly beautiful to see Filipinos recognize who they are. And for this, they know what they are capable of. They know what blood runs in their veins and what blood they protect. Being proud to be a Filipino, gave the boost the revolution needed. It was the acknowledgement of who we are, and what we will always proudly be.

These four things made the People Power 1 a slap in the face of the Marcos administration. There was no war like the ones in Iraq; there was no shoot out like the ones in Israel, all there was during the Yellow Revolution was sacrifice.

The sacrifice made by the ordinary people made the loudest and grandest impact of all. The Filipinos were rebels. They rebelled against injustice, against stripping of liberties. Filipinos were good rebels. Marcos saw the uprising as “a form of stupidity”. But for the rest of the country, it was peaceful cry for freedom. And that ‘stupidity’ has caused him his throne, oh how powerful citizens are.

Now, let’s go back to our time. Today, we cherish the stories, article clippings and pictures from the Yellow Revolution 23 years ago. We celebrate its anniversary over and over. We dedicate a holiday to what our two million heroes did for the country. We rejoice our freedom.

But all this, we totally forget as soon as the holiday is over. All this, we store in the back of our heads as soon as something shallow distracts our attention. We commemorate the people power but we live in a way that will make the ghosts of those two million haunt us.

The list:

corruption, check.

Graft, check.

Dirty politics, check.

Injustice, check.

Cheating, check.

Confused, uncaring and unaware citizens, giant check.

Isn’t shameful that we declare ourselves liberated when all this crap still exist in our country today? What difference does the revolution make if we still allow the things it once aimed to kill to grow back as weeds to the backbones of our country. What for were the yellow ribbons if we allow the injustice to happen right in front of our noses. What for was the revolution when we allow reasons to be born that would trigger another revolution. The trend is superficial. It will not stop unless we realize this.

We once elected Ferdinand Marcos but in the long run, he went against our principles. So we revolted. We once elected Joseph Estrada, but he did not seem to please every one. So we revolted. We elected Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, like Erap, not all are pleased. So what, are we going to revolt? Again?

The problem with present Filipinos is that, we complain too much but work far too little. What if the problem this time is not just with the government but with ourselves. What sacrifice are we willing to give our country?

During the Yellow revolution, citizens would make a hand gesture with their thumb and index finger to form a letter ‘L’. This represented “LABAN”. But today, we make that to pronounce “LOSER”. What happened to us? From fighters, we are now defeated dummies. We let the crimes go as long as we don’t feel the immediate effect. But when the sunburn finally appears, we complain.

The revolution did not end on February 25, 1986. Actually, the revolution never stopped at all. It is a continuous fight for what is right, not just freedom, but many other things. We can only be defeated once we stop.

The People Power Revolution was a silent cry for freedom. Now, it is our job to handle our own revolution, the continuous cry for action.