If you are coming in regularly to this blog to read the posts here, you may want to know that it may not be updated so regularly now.
Much of the updating will be done at the specific and categorised blogs that I have just started (see links on the right hand side). Through these blog - I hope to give all of you more focused readings.
So, "The Compass in Your Hand" has grown into another stage - this time round, coming to you in six parts, namely :
1) Leadership Journal
2) Leadership Parables
3) Leadership NPCC
4) Leadership Lifestyle
5) Leadership Concepts
6) Leadership Snippets
The tagboard would stay - meaning that I would still come by here to reply your tags. You can actually leave your comments about my writings here too.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Updates
Hi, it has been a long time since I have last updated.
I was having a break and ya, coming back to blog again. I have been busy with school work - now that it is holidays' time, I will have more time to reflect and pen my thoughts on my blogSSssssss.
If you have noticed, I have added a few more links to this blog - more blogs on Leadership. Now categorised to suit different readers. Each of these blogs is set up for different purposes :
1) Leadership Journal - Random notes on Leadership. Some of it would be used to compile a book (or books) which I hope to write so as to pass down my knowledge and experience.
2) Leadership Parables - Leadership concepts made simple and relevant through illustrations and stories.
3) Leadership Lifestyle - Of how some of the things we do can actually build or destroy our leadership foundation.
4) Leadership Concepts - Contains heavy reading stuff on Leadership (ya, I will nag more here.)
5) Leadership NPCC - I will try to relate leadership concepts to NPCC CIship and NCOship and whatever ships that navigate the seas of NPCC.
6) Leadership Snippets - Short notes on Leadership that allows quick reading and the rest is up to the readers to reflect and apply.
You can still leave your comments on the tagboard. And so sorry for neglecting this blog for so long.
Stay Tuned.
I was having a break and ya, coming back to blog again. I have been busy with school work - now that it is holidays' time, I will have more time to reflect and pen my thoughts on my blogSSssssss.
If you have noticed, I have added a few more links to this blog - more blogs on Leadership. Now categorised to suit different readers. Each of these blogs is set up for different purposes :
1) Leadership Journal - Random notes on Leadership. Some of it would be used to compile a book (or books) which I hope to write so as to pass down my knowledge and experience.
2) Leadership Parables - Leadership concepts made simple and relevant through illustrations and stories.
3) Leadership Lifestyle - Of how some of the things we do can actually build or destroy our leadership foundation.
4) Leadership Concepts - Contains heavy reading stuff on Leadership (ya, I will nag more here.)
5) Leadership NPCC - I will try to relate leadership concepts to NPCC CIship and NCOship and whatever ships that navigate the seas of NPCC.
6) Leadership Snippets - Short notes on Leadership that allows quick reading and the rest is up to the readers to reflect and apply.
You can still leave your comments on the tagboard. And so sorry for neglecting this blog for so long.
Stay Tuned.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
My Dream Team
If I were to establish a dream team among the staff of Damai Sec, a team that I can work with, dream and realise big dreams together, it will consist of the following members :
a) Mdm Yeo and Mdm Salinah from the school general office - They excel in administration work and finance, are detailed, hardworking and trustworthy. They can help to strengthen my inadequacy in admin work - an area which I often neglect in my leadership and management.
b) Mrs Loke (Maths teacher) and Mr Shah (the school IT executive) - These two colleagues of mine will provide the backbones of the team. They are extremely focused, stable in all they are doing and possess great leadership skills. I can trust them in areas where I falter and fail, they will be there to advise, make up and even carry the team through.
c) Mrs Chan (Physics teacher) - This teacher will be my "spiritual" consultant. She is devoted to her religion. With her faith, prayers and timely reminders - the team will remain focused in people ministry. Why "people ministry"? Aren't leaders suppose to lead people? and when there is people ... there will be people ministry.
d) Every team needs youthful energy, a positive spirit and a "dare to try" attitude. So contributing to this area will be, Mr Edwin Cho (PE teacher), Mr Ho (Maths and Science teacher) and Mrs Eileen Lee (Science teacher).
Above all - the reason that I choose these staff to be in my "dream team" is that I know deep in them there is care and concern for the people that they will be working with and for.
So if you were to form your dream team - who will be in your team?
A working team should fill your gaps of inadequacy as a leader, people-focused and understand the "why" of the existence of the team.
a) Mdm Yeo and Mdm Salinah from the school general office - They excel in administration work and finance, are detailed, hardworking and trustworthy. They can help to strengthen my inadequacy in admin work - an area which I often neglect in my leadership and management.
b) Mrs Loke (Maths teacher) and Mr Shah (the school IT executive) - These two colleagues of mine will provide the backbones of the team. They are extremely focused, stable in all they are doing and possess great leadership skills. I can trust them in areas where I falter and fail, they will be there to advise, make up and even carry the team through.
c) Mrs Chan (Physics teacher) - This teacher will be my "spiritual" consultant. She is devoted to her religion. With her faith, prayers and timely reminders - the team will remain focused in people ministry. Why "people ministry"? Aren't leaders suppose to lead people? and when there is people ... there will be people ministry.
d) Every team needs youthful energy, a positive spirit and a "dare to try" attitude. So contributing to this area will be, Mr Edwin Cho (PE teacher), Mr Ho (Maths and Science teacher) and Mrs Eileen Lee (Science teacher).
Above all - the reason that I choose these staff to be in my "dream team" is that I know deep in them there is care and concern for the people that they will be working with and for.
So if you were to form your dream team - who will be in your team?
A working team should fill your gaps of inadequacy as a leader, people-focused and understand the "why" of the existence of the team.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Faith that Flies
The Karate Kid's Faith helps the Eagle, Angel to Fly.
Has your faith done the same for your cadets under you?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Everyone Knows About Leadership
So, the Sec 3 cadets had attended the Leadership and Mentoring Skills Course (LMSC) for the past 2 days. Lectures, Methods of Instruction (MOI), Team Building games, etc. Some of the topics and lessons covered seem all so familiar to you. You seem to have heard of these words before - "teamwork", "confidence", "lead", "encourage", etc. You seem to even have experienced them somewhere in time before too. When the lecturers asked for "responses" - almost immediately, some of the answers would be those "all too familiar" words.
I am not surprised.
Everyone knows about Leadership - maybe not all of it but likely some of it. Some are better at it, some need to read up more and improve. Still, everyone knows about Leadership. If I ask you to write down points that relate to Leadership - you probably would be able to list down a page of words that relates to it after much thinking and reflection. If I push you harder a bit to think - some of you probably would be able to categorise the words, organise them and make a powerpoint presentation on "Leadership". The confident ones would then be able to stand out and present the slides to a group of cadets and show that they have comprehended "Leadership".
I am not surprised either ...
the truth is that everyone knows about Leadership.
It is the practice of leadership that is hard.
For example, "all good leaders are consistent in words and actions". It takes energy and effort to remain "consistent at all times". How about "leaders must be good role models at all times"? Everyone knows it is rather impossible to be good role models at all times. It takes lots of discipline and effort too.
So, some give up on Leadership and stop growing after some time and trying.
It is difficult.
Everyone knows about Leadership,
Few truly practise It.
Passion Drives a Leader, Mind Sets his Direction, Discipline Keeps Him On Course.
I am not surprised.
Everyone knows about Leadership - maybe not all of it but likely some of it. Some are better at it, some need to read up more and improve. Still, everyone knows about Leadership. If I ask you to write down points that relate to Leadership - you probably would be able to list down a page of words that relates to it after much thinking and reflection. If I push you harder a bit to think - some of you probably would be able to categorise the words, organise them and make a powerpoint presentation on "Leadership". The confident ones would then be able to stand out and present the slides to a group of cadets and show that they have comprehended "Leadership".
I am not surprised either ...
the truth is that everyone knows about Leadership.
It is the practice of leadership that is hard.
For example, "all good leaders are consistent in words and actions". It takes energy and effort to remain "consistent at all times". How about "leaders must be good role models at all times"? Everyone knows it is rather impossible to be good role models at all times. It takes lots of discipline and effort too.
So, some give up on Leadership and stop growing after some time and trying.
It is difficult.
Everyone knows about Leadership,
Few truly practise It.
Passion Drives a Leader, Mind Sets his Direction, Discipline Keeps Him On Course.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Some Servings of Big M and L
Management and Leadership ... what have I gathered about them through the years? Here's some of my personal thoughts :
a) Giving the Minimum to Achieve the Maximum.
Learn to strike a balance - overdoing something like organising an event, planning to every detail may not be good. It may mean that we are not reserving our energy and attention to other "things" which we sometimes conveniently described them as "unforeseen" . When we give minimum to achieve the maximum, we are good managers.
b) A Godly Person makes a Good Leader.
Some of the respected leaders that I know are religious people. The values that they acquired from their religions influence them to make decisions, often for the benefits for the people under their charge. Their belief in God helps them to tide over difficult situations and times.
c) RAMS is Redundant if we do not Internalise It.
Risk Analysis and Management System (RAMS) is necessary because it helps us to run through the risks involve when we are running an activity. Then again, if we go through the motion of just filling up the forms for every activity and are not really prepared for emergencies - we are only wasting our time.
d) Flexibility and Adaptability (F and A)
In planning events, there must be some rooms for Flexibility. Do not plan details A to Z for every single event. Leave some grounds for flexibility. Plan A to C, then F to L, and W to Z instead. Otherwise, we are not giving us room for mobility. And when we are carrying out our plans - be prepared for adaptability - be quick to think solutions on the spot, go around things when necessary.
e) Some Leaders are Borned, Some not - one thing common is ...
all leaders must not stop growing. It is the rate of growth that determines a good leader not natural talents. You can be a very good leader with inborn gifts but will eventually be outrun by others who cannot help not wanting to keep growing.
f) For NPCC (or any organisation) to keep growing ...
we need to keep building leaders in units, Areas and HQ. We must not get too distracted by badge schemes or big events/projects that we neglect the leadership building of our cadets, cadet inspectors, honorary instructors/inspectors, teacher and staff officers.
A Leader can be a Good Manager ... but a Good Manager may not necessary be a good Leader.
a) Giving the Minimum to Achieve the Maximum.
Learn to strike a balance - overdoing something like organising an event, planning to every detail may not be good. It may mean that we are not reserving our energy and attention to other "things" which we sometimes conveniently described them as "unforeseen" . When we give minimum to achieve the maximum, we are good managers.
b) A Godly Person makes a Good Leader.
Some of the respected leaders that I know are religious people. The values that they acquired from their religions influence them to make decisions, often for the benefits for the people under their charge. Their belief in God helps them to tide over difficult situations and times.
c) RAMS is Redundant if we do not Internalise It.
Risk Analysis and Management System (RAMS) is necessary because it helps us to run through the risks involve when we are running an activity. Then again, if we go through the motion of just filling up the forms for every activity and are not really prepared for emergencies - we are only wasting our time.
d) Flexibility and Adaptability (F and A)
In planning events, there must be some rooms for Flexibility. Do not plan details A to Z for every single event. Leave some grounds for flexibility. Plan A to C, then F to L, and W to Z instead. Otherwise, we are not giving us room for mobility. And when we are carrying out our plans - be prepared for adaptability - be quick to think solutions on the spot, go around things when necessary.
e) Some Leaders are Borned, Some not - one thing common is ...
all leaders must not stop growing. It is the rate of growth that determines a good leader not natural talents. You can be a very good leader with inborn gifts but will eventually be outrun by others who cannot help not wanting to keep growing.
f) For NPCC (or any organisation) to keep growing ...
we need to keep building leaders in units, Areas and HQ. We must not get too distracted by badge schemes or big events/projects that we neglect the leadership building of our cadets, cadet inspectors, honorary instructors/inspectors, teacher and staff officers.
A Leader can be a Good Manager ... but a Good Manager may not necessary be a good Leader.
Investment in Lives
Investment yields Returns.
Leadership Training is about investment in lives.
And when a life is invested in another - both multiply and grow. That is the returns of Leadership Training. The rewards can be intangible, you need to get involved before experiencing it.
Leadership Training is more than just training your cadets in running an unit well, able to shout commands, teach tying of knots and give lectures on crime prevention. When you take on a cadet for leadership training and mentoring - you are expected to invest your lives in them, committing time and energy.
Some potential good mentors are apprehensive about taking on a mentee because of the commitment involves. Some others think that they are not good enough.
Rightly so.
We need to count the cost before building a house. Otherwise, if we run out of funds before completing the house, the loss will be greater.
On the other hand, remember Leadership Bottles? We do not need to wait for our leadership bottles to be filled before taking on mentorship. Otherwise when opportunity slips past us, it may never return to us again.
What I want to encourage some of you who are still considering leadership training and mentoring is to examine your heart and ask the following questions :
a) Do you want your cadets under you to grow?
b) Do you have something to give to your cadets (that they do not have)?
c) Do you have about 20 to 30 min of time per week to give to your cadets?
If you answered "Yes" to every question ...
Then, what is holding you back? ... Leadership Bottles?
Leadership Training is about investment in lives.
And when a life is invested in another - both multiply and grow. That is the returns of Leadership Training. The rewards can be intangible, you need to get involved before experiencing it.
Leadership Training is more than just training your cadets in running an unit well, able to shout commands, teach tying of knots and give lectures on crime prevention. When you take on a cadet for leadership training and mentoring - you are expected to invest your lives in them, committing time and energy.
Some potential good mentors are apprehensive about taking on a mentee because of the commitment involves. Some others think that they are not good enough.
Rightly so.
We need to count the cost before building a house. Otherwise, if we run out of funds before completing the house, the loss will be greater.
On the other hand, remember Leadership Bottles? We do not need to wait for our leadership bottles to be filled before taking on mentorship. Otherwise when opportunity slips past us, it may never return to us again.
What I want to encourage some of you who are still considering leadership training and mentoring is to examine your heart and ask the following questions :
a) Do you want your cadets under you to grow?
b) Do you have something to give to your cadets (that they do not have)?
c) Do you have about 20 to 30 min of time per week to give to your cadets?
If you answered "Yes" to every question ...
Then, what is holding you back? ... Leadership Bottles?
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Of Kopi and Kaya Toast
Ya .. ya .. often you have heard me mentioning that in your face. Some of you got bored or even irritated by me when I said, "Life is simple with just one cup of Kopi and a piece of Kaya Toast."
What does it really mean to me when I said that?
Picture me sitting in a "KopiTiam" drinking one cup of kopi and eating kaya toast for my daily meals while the rest of the world are craving for "better food" and delicacies in poised restaurants and ... swensens! Both Kaya Toasts and " Delicacies" can fill the stomach ... if I can choose between the two, I will still want Kopi and Kaya Toast.
"Mr Chua, you are so stupid."
Ya, I am foolish - to eat Kaya Toast instead of Sharkfins.
I was foolish when I turned down positional leadership in the past, in my career when I had the chances. Recently, I had the chance to learn that most of my peers now are Heads of Departments, Vice-Principal, Senior Lecturers in Institutions, etc ... and here I am, still trapped in "Chasing Students for Coursework at this time of the Year".
Any regrets? If I would have the chance to live my life all over again, would I still want Kopi and Kaya Toast?
Ya, no regret. That is my primary mission in life - to be with the students, helping and guiding them.
When I drink Kopi - it gives me quiet time of reflection. It rejuvenates me, bringing back the primary goals in my life to me. Times that I wander away, the moments of quietness and solitude help me to map out the next few steps that I should take to reach those goals. And when I sink my teeth into the kaya toasts, it helps me to remember gratitude, of basic things - that life is not about chasing after the wind.
Do not get me wrong.
I am not preaching that you must be poor in this life.
I am not encouraging you to drink kopi and eat kaya toast.
I am trying to say ...
1) Reflect
2) Goals in Life
3) Gratitude
4) Think basic - some of the things we desire in life, may not be what we want.
So, next time when I say, "Life's Simple with one cup of Kopi and and a piece of Kaya Toast."
... please smile and say, "Ya, cheers to that!"
What does it really mean to me when I said that?
Picture me sitting in a "KopiTiam" drinking one cup of kopi and eating kaya toast for my daily meals while the rest of the world are craving for "better food" and delicacies in poised restaurants and ... swensens! Both Kaya Toasts and " Delicacies" can fill the stomach ... if I can choose between the two, I will still want Kopi and Kaya Toast.
"Mr Chua, you are so stupid."
Ya, I am foolish - to eat Kaya Toast instead of Sharkfins.
I was foolish when I turned down positional leadership in the past, in my career when I had the chances. Recently, I had the chance to learn that most of my peers now are Heads of Departments, Vice-Principal, Senior Lecturers in Institutions, etc ... and here I am, still trapped in "Chasing Students for Coursework at this time of the Year".
Any regrets? If I would have the chance to live my life all over again, would I still want Kopi and Kaya Toast?
Ya, no regret. That is my primary mission in life - to be with the students, helping and guiding them.
When I drink Kopi - it gives me quiet time of reflection. It rejuvenates me, bringing back the primary goals in my life to me. Times that I wander away, the moments of quietness and solitude help me to map out the next few steps that I should take to reach those goals. And when I sink my teeth into the kaya toasts, it helps me to remember gratitude, of basic things - that life is not about chasing after the wind.
Do not get me wrong.
I am not preaching that you must be poor in this life.
I am not encouraging you to drink kopi and eat kaya toast.
I am trying to say ...
1) Reflect
2) Goals in Life
3) Gratitude
4) Think basic - some of the things we desire in life, may not be what we want.
So, next time when I say, "Life's Simple with one cup of Kopi and and a piece of Kaya Toast."
... please smile and say, "Ya, cheers to that!"
It is about Connection
If I were to ask you to name someone whom you like to have him/her as your mentor - you probably will mention a person :
a) whom you admire or respect (because of .... "lots of things").
b) whom you know you can relate to or feel comfortable with him/her being your mentor.
If you allow me to summarise that "something" that made you think of the name of your potential mentor using one word ... I will use the word, "Connection".
Let's face it ....
Without that admiration, respect or rapport/relationship for/with a leader, even though how competent and capable that person is (in leadership), you would not choose to follow him/her.
Dynamic and inspirative speakers capture the hearts of their audience (connection) first, before the message sink into their minds.
When a general cries, "Charge" in a battlefield, the soldiers must be able to "connect" with him/her before they obey (no matter what the outcome of the battle be).
Ever wonder, why a particular Squad IC can gain the respect of his/her squad while no matter how hard another one tries, the squad will not be moved? It is connection.
I helped one of my students when she lost her handphone in school one day. Even though I did not manage to recover that handphone for her, I discovered after that day, she seemed to be closer to me. Before that, she was always at a distance from me. Now, she gave me a smile whenever I see her in school.
I used to be very close to my niece and nephew. When I shifted to the east, I rarely have the chance to meet and chat with them. Now when they come over to my house, the young ones do not even dare to look at me in the face and greet me.
Connection was at play in those two examples that I mentioned.
Take some time to think about the word, "Connection" now and relate that to your ideal mentor (the one whom you want to be your mentor) ...
a) Does it (the connection) just happen by chance?
b) What really makes you connect to him/her? Maybe one of these? .... The way he/she speaks? The things that he/she does? The things that he/she does for you? The smile or pat on the back that he/she gives to you? or more?
c) How would that "connection" be broken if that should happen?
To Lead - Build that Influence.
To Influence, one of the crucial things you need, is that "Connection".
a) whom you admire or respect (because of .... "lots of things").
b) whom you know you can relate to or feel comfortable with him/her being your mentor.
If you allow me to summarise that "something" that made you think of the name of your potential mentor using one word ... I will use the word, "Connection".
Let's face it ....
Without that admiration, respect or rapport/relationship for/with a leader, even though how competent and capable that person is (in leadership), you would not choose to follow him/her.
Dynamic and inspirative speakers capture the hearts of their audience (connection) first, before the message sink into their minds.
When a general cries, "Charge" in a battlefield, the soldiers must be able to "connect" with him/her before they obey (no matter what the outcome of the battle be).
Ever wonder, why a particular Squad IC can gain the respect of his/her squad while no matter how hard another one tries, the squad will not be moved? It is connection.
I helped one of my students when she lost her handphone in school one day. Even though I did not manage to recover that handphone for her, I discovered after that day, she seemed to be closer to me. Before that, she was always at a distance from me. Now, she gave me a smile whenever I see her in school.
I used to be very close to my niece and nephew. When I shifted to the east, I rarely have the chance to meet and chat with them. Now when they come over to my house, the young ones do not even dare to look at me in the face and greet me.
Connection was at play in those two examples that I mentioned.
Take some time to think about the word, "Connection" now and relate that to your ideal mentor (the one whom you want to be your mentor) ...
a) Does it (the connection) just happen by chance?
b) What really makes you connect to him/her? Maybe one of these? .... The way he/she speaks? The things that he/she does? The things that he/she does for you? The smile or pat on the back that he/she gives to you? or more?
c) How would that "connection" be broken if that should happen?
To Lead - Build that Influence.
To Influence, one of the crucial things you need, is that "Connection".
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Three "Threes"
I have learnt that to communicate well, I would have to limit my messages to just 3 points. So, here are three "three points" of Leadership - crucial points which I feel that we must remember if we want to excel in Leadership.
Key Points of Leadership
1) It is all about how you can win people and make them follow you (Influence).
2) Establishing a good rapport or relationship with people is important (Connection).
3) We need to keep growing in order to lead well (Growth). There can be a good or very good leader but never a "perfect" one.
Things that will make you Fail in Leadership
1) A Flawed Character (Bad Conscience, Wrong Values).
2) "Mental Blocks" (Anger, Grudges, Bad Experiences, Soured Relationships, etc).
3) Inconsistency in Words and Actions.
Misconceptions about Leadership
1) It is not about ranks or how well you can scream or shout.
2) It is not about being in the frontline all the time.
3) It is not "One" (but about "Teams").
I will explain more in the next few posts - I have lots of things to write. Hope it is not getting too dry, bear with me will you?
Key Points of Leadership
1) It is all about how you can win people and make them follow you (Influence).
2) Establishing a good rapport or relationship with people is important (Connection).
3) We need to keep growing in order to lead well (Growth). There can be a good or very good leader but never a "perfect" one.
Things that will make you Fail in Leadership
1) A Flawed Character (Bad Conscience, Wrong Values).
2) "Mental Blocks" (Anger, Grudges, Bad Experiences, Soured Relationships, etc).
3) Inconsistency in Words and Actions.
Misconceptions about Leadership
1) It is not about ranks or how well you can scream or shout.
2) It is not about being in the frontline all the time.
3) It is not "One" (but about "Teams").
I will explain more in the next few posts - I have lots of things to write. Hope it is not getting too dry, bear with me will you?
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