Posted by The WORD in other words (2016) by Fr Vic Rayco SVD – Saint Jude School, Manila
Thursday 3rd Week of Lent
Words: some spoken; some unspoken.
In the Chinese Filipino school where I am working as an administrator, we made a study on how the news about our school got around. With the dwindling population among the Chinese Filipino schools, we needed to know how best to advertise the school.
I was surprised at the result: it was primarily by word of mouth.
I, therefore, made repeated appeals, among the employees and parents to be conscious with what they say about the school. Any trivial comment that’s circulated becomes a defining characteristic, even if the school has more than enough news about its successes — nationally and internationally. Bad news gets around with more gusto than any good news, as anyone with a personal experience may confirm.
The school can opt to have a very expensive PR (Public Relations) group to sell it to the world. However, the best way to “sell” it will still be by being the best school it could be: teachers teaching well; office staff efficient; janitors clearing the spaces clean. Everybody should be doing the job in the best possible way. After all, what we do is not only work. It is a service, it is a mission.
Margaret Thatcher is quoted to have said: Greatness is like being a lady. If you spend too much time convincing others that you are, then you are not.
Yes, the mute speaks!
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