Who’s Pat Gelsinger?
According to www.businessinsider.com, he’s the 15th
most powerful person in enterprise tech last 2014. With an industry that’s
about a $4 trillion, this no ordinary feat. He’s up there with Bill Gate’s and
Larry Ellison to name a few.
With just watching the video and
without googling him for more information about him, aside from those mentioned
in the video, I was already at awe on how was he able to be so successful in
his career while keeping a balance between his studies, work, family, and
faith. I have heard and read about other influential persons before but never
did I expect to hear from a Westerner giving great importance to faith. Not to
be discriminate, but, I have only heard from American business leaders how they
are ethical and respects human rights. However, hearing from them about faith
and God – I really can’t remember any.
Personally, I can relate to some
of his struggles as we both came from a farming back ground and had our primary
and secondary education from the country side. Coming to Manila for college, I
was really scared and excited at the same time. I still can remember that my
mom was somehow not keen on me moving out as we were never really been apart
before. This was also like Pat’s case, however, aside from the city lights, we
both know this is the right thing for us to do. He had also the insecurities
that I had before with the city kids that are educated from better schools.
Though he worked part-time for his studies while my education was entirely
funded by my parents, we both proved that even though we’re from the province,
with hard work, dedication and prayer we can prove that we can be at the same
level as the city kids if not better.
What I really admire about him
especially after reading also the 2 chapters of his book is he was really able
to have it all. Today, we often hear that if you’re unlucky with your career,
you will be lucky with your love-life or vice versa but very rarely be both. Personally,
I really think he is lucky! I’m saying this because when he explained to his
then girlfriend and now wife of so many years, Linda, why he’s only able to
spend Friday nights and Sunday church with her only while other couples are
seeing 4-5 times a week or more, she accepted. Having been in a couple of
relationships already and being in the same situation, it was really hard to be
in their situation. This is because I understand the fact that relationships
are built, but in their case if they are not seeing each other as much as
possible then, how will they build their relationship? Without being cheesy or
bias, I think this is where Christ came in. God must have rewarded for living a
Christian Life, with wisdom to understand each other’s situation and good
health as Pat was working long hours in the office while studying at the same
time and as result not having much sleep
or rest.
In his book, he describes life as
balancing act, to which we are currently balancing 3 tennis balls at the same
time. This represents career, family, and God. As time passes by and as our
situation changes these balls changes to other heavier and bigger balls like
softball and football, that makes it harder for us to balance our lives. There
are many schools of thoughts on how to have a balanced life. Fortunately, I am
in graduate school and I learned from Pat and this class that there’s really no
such thing as “work life balance.” Instead, there’s only “living an integrated
life.” That’s being the same person 7x a week wherever you are, whoever you are
with. Regardless, if you are in work, school, or in another country which has a
different culture. In his case, he has sights on his goals and has a plan,
however, when unexpected things happened like when the doctor advised Linda
that because of her health she has to have a child immediately, otherwise she
might be able to do so. He carefully thought the situation over and married
Linda the following summer. This is despite the fact that he barely has enough
time already as he is studying and working at the same time. Personally
speaking, experiencing having to work at the same time earn a graduate degree
is difficult. It’s really hard to squeeze some time for friends and family. But
looking back at Pat’s experience, it’s really possible as he was able to have a
family, graduate with honours, and be promoted every year in his work.
No comments:
Post a Comment