Thursday, October 25, 2007

Traits of successful leaders

In fact, the title of the article was "Wanted: Workers who can think".

Nevertheless, this segment caught my attention... thought over it... yes, I have things to say for each... relating from my experience over these years... yes, have gone through different kinds of leaderships - I must say, the leaders are easy ones... each has their own style... (OK, will take time to slowly input my thoughts in blue.... till have all said, this bracket will remain to remind me of the unfinished thoughts....)
  • They help people decide for themselves what to do; they don't tell people what to do...
  • They lead in the creation of corporate visions. They align their personal visions with the corporate vision and help others in the company to do the same.
  • This is definitely important, when the leader knows what he wants, and it aligns with the organisation's vision. Of course, how to get the rest to do the same? The challenge is others should see them working towards achieving the organisation's vision and not working "for" the leader to help him "achieving his vision"! Came across colleagues who ever said, "He is driving everybody to fill up his 'achievement list' during his stay... let's see how long that will last - sure he'll come and go... Yes, every leader who's here have to do something to show progress lah!"... See? the focus was on the leader instead of being helping the organisation to achieve its milestone. People failed to see they are 'working' for the organisation! On the other hand, just wonder... why do people want to be so sceptical?
  • They expect excellence in those around them, and they made those expectations known. The people on their teams usually live up to these expectations.
  • Yes, leaders expect good work, at least a decent piece of work from their subordinates. On the other hand, leaders would also model, they walk the talk by demonstrating they are capable of delivering excellent work. On the other hand, to get subordinates to perform, it's not a "by default" or a "given"... it's not automatic! Do not take for granted! It takes leadership to lead, to influence the behaviour and thought of the subordinates.
  • They invite people to speak up, and they listen and respond to those who do. They welcome good news and bad news from their associates, knowing that they can't lead wisely unless they are fully informed.
  • True, having a listening ear is important, so that people know that their leader listens. However, one must be mindful, too... When the leader has decided on what it ought to be, yet, wanted to go through the exercise, for the sake of doing so, so as to 'demonstrate' that he listens... yet, ignore the ground's inputs... it backfires!!! People will soon feel it and what else will they coin 'him' with? "Hypocrite"!!!
  • They don't bark orders. They use positive reinforcement to influence people toward the behaviour they desire.
  • They don't isolate themselves from the people they lead. they mingle with tehm, ask about their problems and concerns, and look for ways to help them. They promote a sense of "family".
  • They don't pretend to have all the answers. They ask for information and advice before making decisions.
  • They don't try to do it all themselves. They make full use of the talents of those around them.
  • They don't lord it over others. They treat employees, clients, customers and associates with respect. they are not condescending toward any of the corporate stakeholders, but regard them all as members of the team.
  • They encourage a constant search for improvement and constant quest for excellence. They provide the educational and developmental programmes need to achieve these goals.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Talk about Love and Liking

This morning, the article "Desires, Pleasures and the gift of Love" caught my attention.

The interesting point is, the author brought up some 'grey' terms - love and liking. So, what's the difference? He brought in CS Lewis' "The Four Loves" which further arouses my interest to look at it further - so, they are namely: Affection (storge), Friendship (philia), Eros and Caritas (agape).

A new way of expressing - when we say we like/love.... it means we take pleasure in... and there are 2 groups of pleasures! those that are preceded by desire, and those that are not... hahaha... sounds chim I thought. But the example that follows explains pretty clearly (I thought):
  • An example when the pleasure is preceded by desire - that I thought it's linked to the need - water - a glass of water is a great pleasure when one's desire to have it is because of thirst... when the need is addressed, the degree of pleasure it brings with it drops tremendously.
  • On the other hand, a pleasure not preceded by desire would be the frangrance of flowers... oh yes, that reminded me of the mornings when I was greeted by the donkey, the frangrance of the wild flowers and wild grass, the glittering sounds of the river - water dashing across... the sunshine that's accompanied by the cool breeze... those were the days in Paro... I miss them! The smell of the ancient wooden bridge... It was really great pleasure :D

Friday, October 19, 2007

那天,“天气”变得 灰暗,
抬头,遥望天空,没有什么色泽。。。同时衬托了那天的心情 - 灰色。

不觉,想起 徐志摩的《歌》。
有感而发。。。人生数载。。。到头来,是什么呢?
无论是多么的精彩,最终,仍是个句号。
无论是多么的平乏,最终,还是个句号。

人生。。。 是一个接力赛。
接过了棒子,要如何的走。。。掌握在我们的决择。
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

《歌》 徐志摩(1896-1931)

当我死去的时候,亲爱的,
别为我唱悲伤的歌。
我坟上不必安插蔷薇,
也无需浓荫的柏树。

让盖着我的轻轻的草,
淋着雨,也沾着露珠。
假如你愿意,请记着我。
要是你甘心,忘了我。

在悠久的坟墓中迷惘,
阳光不升起,也不消翳。
我也许,也许,我还记得你。
我也许,把你忘记。

我再见不到地面的青荫,
觉不到雨露的甜蜜;
我再听不到夜莺的歌喉,
在黑夜里倾诉悲啼。

在悠久的坟墓中迷惘,
阳光不升起,也不消翳。
我也许,也许,我还记得你。
我也许,把你忘记。

Thursday, October 18, 2007

悄悄的我走了,不带走一片云彩。

喜欢《再别康桥》 里的那两句:
悄悄的我走了,不带走一片云彩。
不是忘了中间的那两句。。。就是钟爱这两句。

是的,无论到哪里,都不需要敲锣打鼓的。。。
我来了,

是希望能够为周围的人,环境造福。。。

我走了,

是因为该做的,可做的,可奉献的,已告一个段落。。。
或许,

是耐力,已到的顶限,无法在坚持下去。。。
也许,

同时,又更“行" 的人物出现了。。。
可能,
是环境改变了,喧哗起来了,是我不习惯的。。。
是的,我要求摇篮四周 - 宁静。
当然,
感觉告诉自己,已经受够了,该接受的磨练,已够了。。。

在与否,或许已不重要了。。。
该是时候画上一个休止符了。。。
留下了脚印,是离去了时候了。。。

不如去寻觅另一个可让我发挥我的擅长,去做另一番的建设。。。

该开始眺望,寻觅另一待开发的天地了。。。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
徐志摩(1896-1931)

《再别康桥》
轻轻的我走了,正如我轻轻的来;
我轻轻的招手,作别西天的云彩。
那河畔的金柳,是夕阳中的新娘;
波光里的艳影,在我的心头荡漾。
软泥上的青荇,油油的在水底招摇;
在康河的柔波里,我甘心做一条水草!
那榆荫下的一潭,不是清泉,
是天上虹揉碎在浮藻间,沉淀着彩虹似的梦。
寻梦?撑一支长篙,向青草更青处漫溯,
满载一船星辉,在星辉斑斓里放歌。
但我不能放歌,悄悄是别离的笙箫
夏虫也为我沉默,沉默是今晚的康桥。
悄悄的我走了,正如我悄悄的来;
我挥一挥衣袖,不带走一片云彩。


Monday, October 15, 2007

韩流? 日风?偶像!

整个周末,就坐在四方箱面前,就这样的度过了。
不同的是,尽入眼帘的,是一部部的韩剧。已经很久没这么的享受过了。
最后一次,应该是“该死的爱”吧!是去年的事吧!
哦!那是突然又有了“追偶像”的那种感觉。犹如回到学生时代呢!
天啊!这个年纪还像年轻人一样那么疯狂吗?当然不啦!
无可否认,会多看几眼那张好看的脸,哦!有时,还会目不转睛的看呢!

年轻时,崇拜的(是崇拜吗?)的偶像不少。当时,已经刮起了日风。。。 当然,少不了“山口百惠”,“三浦友和”。。。可是,昨天,偶然的看了“恋人", 却让我看到了貌似”,“三浦友和”的“李瑞振”。。。 当然多看了几眼,结果,一口气就看了整个下午。

啊!看来, 又开始跟韩流结下不解之缘了!
在好奇心的驱使下,到网络里“捞针”。。。结果,捞到了一个网站, 可在那里重温看过的剧集,也可预先看精彩的画面。

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

己所不欲,勿施于人

有时, 想:人与人之间的相处之道, 到底是什么?
相敬如宾,并不仅限于夫妻的相处之道。也是人与人,对彼此的态度。

在这个世界里,并没有是谁欠了谁。当然,我不是指向他人借了东西后不还。

我是指“对待”,对他人发脾气。

当然,有些人发脾气是有理由的。

可是在对他人发脾气之前,是不是应该看一下自己是否有充分的理由去发别人的脾气,自己已经做了该做的,尽了该尽的责任了吗?

上司对下属发脾气,是理所当然的吗?是一种权力吗?是施压的一种手段吗?

当自己向下属发牢骚,说多么的受不了上司的脾气时,却同时依样画葫芦时,那不是五十步笑一百步?

当自己还没看清楚手上的资料时,别理直气壮地向他人质问。。。
当自己还没尽该尽的责任时,别理直气壮地向他人质问。。。
当自己没法子对答如流时,被把责任推卸在羔羊的身上。。。

在还没发脾气时,在还没把纸张甩在别人面前时,用很不友善的语气时,是不是该先心平气和,冷静一下呢?你的“情商”户口,很快的就会出现赤字。

己所不欲,勿施于人也!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

A Travel Guide to Heaven

The title caught my attention! In fact, I was searching through Read @ TN's catalog for a travel guide for an upcoming trip, to a real place.

A guide to Heaven - that will not be as 'attractive'.... but a "Travel Guide"? Oops, my travel bugs suddenly become active!

Well, have been openly declared that I'm not a book reader - won't say that I'm not a book lover 'cos I love to buy and shelf books! hahaha... that's where I can dig out a number of handy and useful resources (at least once in a while!). That becomes a hobby? Well, some people thought that I waste money... hm... in chinese, it says 各花入各眼。

Back to the book... I've not read the whole book, except that 10 odd pages... One thing that strikes me is the description of 'heaven' - it's being described as something very "fun" & "fill with excitement". Well, well, it comes another level of interpretation, I think... that is, it's really a 'state' of what one enjoys... it could be something that is quiet... peaceful... not fun, but calm and harmony are some adjectives to it...

Fined by NLB? Oops! I remember!

Fines, fines, fines... Singapore is a "fine" city... Oh yes, I remember! and I'm reminded just recently!

Was reading the newspaper article the other day - ok, it's more like a complaint - that the writer owed the National Library $0.20 many years back and recently received a reminder to pay up the fine! And she had to undergo so much hassle (though asking her daughter to run the errands for her!)

Immediately, I mind said, "Oops!" that reminded me of the long-time fine that was yet paid up. Yep, of 2 books borrowed for my 2nd Paris trip! Oops! That was how many years back? It amounted up to less than $2.00. Why did I owe $??? Well, it's not because I don't want to pay, but the 'payment' system did not accept the mode of payment. Strange? Unbelievable!!!! In Singapore, we have problem paying??? Yes!!! When in the public library that librarians no longer handle cash???? The library only accepted cash card then... So, poor me tried with several NLBs but of not avail... and was further told my the librarians not to be worry!

Was on my way home... "Will I receive the notification?" I wondered.
Indeed, it's so 'efficient' that it appeared before my eyes when I entered the house!
Oops... no change, still have to go through cash card! Sigh!