Nope, LOW MO doesn't refer to MOJO and all that THAT connotes. It refers to MOrale and MOtivation, both of which have been low lately. It's probably attributed to the recent change in the HUMAN landscape in my section.
It's been a long time I felt such LOW MO... The 1st time (since working) I had this feeling of incapacity was in 2001. I had a change of working environment and I couldn't agree with the person leading the school I was in. I quit at the end of that year. The 2nd time was in 2004-2005, during which I had a change of 2 supervisors, both of whom I didn't particularly thought very fit to lead... erm ... lead me. One of them was pretty nice but being nice is not enough for me. I had a much higher expectation for MY supervisor. I quit end of 2005. The 1st half of 2006 was by far the WORST time of my working life. I had to report to a boss direct from hell, whose dictionary doesn't contain the word, decency. I quit after being bullied on a daily basis for 6 months. I wondered where I found the strength to have stayed and yet not murder her.
So early 2006 was the last time I felt really down and very very SIAN, until recently.
I think when you have someone nice/good/worthy to work under, it makes work very doable and even when work is tough, you don't really mind slogging for the person. I have been working hard and going the extra extra miles for many bosses, without complaining. In fact, I relish in the fact that I valued-added and did my work well, even if it meant many sleepless nights and many over-time. I was happy to do so. The reverse is true when you don't have someone whom you think you ought to be slaving for. Doable work becomes unbearable, coming to work becomes quite a drag and you have the LOW MO. And the LOW MO doesn't go away despite the tons of chocolate you eat, the holidays you take and whatever it is you do to combat LOW MO.
A HR expert once told me, "people don't leave jobs, they leave bosses". How true... ...
Thursday 26 February 2009
Sunday 22 February 2009
Leadership
Today, I had a big event which involved Prime Minister and 10 other Ministers and many other MPs and big shots. To begin with, the event was quite a nightmare with HUGE changes being made 2 days prior to the event, on a Friday no less. Reaction time was critical. What was originally quite a simple affair became a mammoth monster. To complicate things, Mrs Prime Minister came along.
But it was a good learning process. It taught me alot of things about leadership and how leaders should react esp. in a a crisis.
1. Build an Arsenal of Personal Favours
- Because of the last minute changes, I had to mobilise many people on short notice. It was difficult as the event falls on a Sunday. It did not help that my bosses didn't want to be the bad guys to shoot the arrows. I needed people, and I needed them fast. So I had to call on personal favours. It was a good thing I do not shit in the place that feeds me. :) In times like this, you could tell who your allies are.
2. Equal Misery is BAD
- Who ever invented the logic of equal misery doesn't work in the corporate world. This is a selfish theory. More work can be done if someone can be a little more self-sacrificial and get something unpleasant done, rather than dragging 2-3 other people through the mud just so he has company. It is a sheer waste of time and effort.
3. Don't Act Smart (aka Mia Gei Kiang)
- I witness how some leaders love to claim the credit and tries to sound intelligent only to have their bluff called. If you are already not very bright, don't act bright because when the switch if flipped, it will obvious you are not just dim, but there isn't even a tungsten within.
4. Be at least Nice or Smart
- Leaders should be nice... and if not nice, then better be smart. The worse combination is one who is not nice and not smart. You lose the respect and you make people pissed with you. At least if you are nice, even if you are not too clever, people will help you because they felt obliged too.
5. Admit Mistakes
- The worst trait a leader can have is to be too egoistical and insist on being correct when proven wrong. This has huge repurcussions. If you are wrong, admit it, apologise and get on with life.
6. Trust your subordinates
- Most subordinates have best intentions and will try their best to get the job done to the best of their abilities. Their own reputation is at stake so trust them. And when mistakes occur, don't be too quick to point the finger. It could be someone else's fault or even your own.
7. Respect
- Being a leader doesn't mean you don't have to respect those who work for you. They deserve even more respect precisely because they are working for you. How else will you get things done? Respect them and earn their respect for you.
8. LEAD Wisely
- Leaders are there to lead. What good is a leader who cowers and hides when you need directions to charge? At the same time, it is also not enough to lead blindly. A leader should have the courage to take unprecendented measures, be accountable for them and do so in good time.
Leadership is difficult. But I hope I can build up enough skills so that the people I lead one day, will follow me, but not blindly and will question, but not doubt me. And most of all, respect me because I have earned it.
But it was a good learning process. It taught me alot of things about leadership and how leaders should react esp. in a a crisis.
1. Build an Arsenal of Personal Favours
- Because of the last minute changes, I had to mobilise many people on short notice. It was difficult as the event falls on a Sunday. It did not help that my bosses didn't want to be the bad guys to shoot the arrows. I needed people, and I needed them fast. So I had to call on personal favours. It was a good thing I do not shit in the place that feeds me. :) In times like this, you could tell who your allies are.
2. Equal Misery is BAD
- Who ever invented the logic of equal misery doesn't work in the corporate world. This is a selfish theory. More work can be done if someone can be a little more self-sacrificial and get something unpleasant done, rather than dragging 2-3 other people through the mud just so he has company. It is a sheer waste of time and effort.
3. Don't Act Smart (aka Mia Gei Kiang)
- I witness how some leaders love to claim the credit and tries to sound intelligent only to have their bluff called. If you are already not very bright, don't act bright because when the switch if flipped, it will obvious you are not just dim, but there isn't even a tungsten within.
4. Be at least Nice or Smart
- Leaders should be nice... and if not nice, then better be smart. The worse combination is one who is not nice and not smart. You lose the respect and you make people pissed with you. At least if you are nice, even if you are not too clever, people will help you because they felt obliged too.
5. Admit Mistakes
- The worst trait a leader can have is to be too egoistical and insist on being correct when proven wrong. This has huge repurcussions. If you are wrong, admit it, apologise and get on with life.
6. Trust your subordinates
- Most subordinates have best intentions and will try their best to get the job done to the best of their abilities. Their own reputation is at stake so trust them. And when mistakes occur, don't be too quick to point the finger. It could be someone else's fault or even your own.
7. Respect
- Being a leader doesn't mean you don't have to respect those who work for you. They deserve even more respect precisely because they are working for you. How else will you get things done? Respect them and earn their respect for you.
8. LEAD Wisely
- Leaders are there to lead. What good is a leader who cowers and hides when you need directions to charge? At the same time, it is also not enough to lead blindly. A leader should have the courage to take unprecendented measures, be accountable for them and do so in good time.
Leadership is difficult. But I hope I can build up enough skills so that the people I lead one day, will follow me, but not blindly and will question, but not doubt me. And most of all, respect me because I have earned it.
Saturday 14 February 2009
Loud, noisy, crazy...
Recently I moved to a District 10 cube. It is a tad bigger than my previous hole, like 1/2 a foot bigger. And it has good amenities in that it faces the aisle instead of my previous cube where my back faces the aisle. So privacy is ensured in this prime and landed property.
But I supposed I wasn't deemed to be deserving of the cube since I have not met the grade for sitting there and there are more eligible people who ought to sit there. The only reason why I was able to move there was because of 1) Proximity; it was right next to me and 2) thick-skin: I asked the previous owner and the right bosses.
Anyway, this cube started a chain of events which weren't so nice and ended up with name calling.
Apparently, a particular person had labeled me as "loud, noisy, crazy woman" when asked who had moved into the prime cube. This particular person, though not very close to me, wasn't very distant either. So when others overheard him/her saying it, they were appalled and informed me of the offending remarks.
The assessment of me being loud, noisy and crazy is obsolutely accurate of course (ask Ms Sui), and I'm not affected by it in the least. I don't really give a hoot or even 1/2 hoot to what others in my office think. I was actually quite amused by it. I could have come up with more creative labels. And of course I was quite touched by the indignation and defensiveness a couple felt towards the remarks.
At the same time, I thought it was important to do some self-reflection. Perhaps my loud and noisy ways had affected the way others seated near me work? I know Ms Sui had to make some adjustments... maybe that why she had earphones plugged in last time :P. I should probably ask around my other neighbouring cubes. And if so, I should probably make some changes. Yes, this is not like me at all, trying to accomodate others... but age does strange things to people. It blunts your claws and makes you see things in better, hopefully wiser, perspective.
Anyways, ... I have a good friend coming in soon and I'm looking forward to that. She would be parked right next to me, in my previous non-landed cube! She used to have a habit of sudden exclamations when pissed too. So I won't be alone in doing such things soon.
Hmmm,... I do wonder though if that person who labeled me would also label her. Although I doubt it... because in this case, I do think this particular person had always been prejudiced against me and more so recently. I guess time will tell if I'm right.
But I supposed I wasn't deemed to be deserving of the cube since I have not met the grade for sitting there and there are more eligible people who ought to sit there. The only reason why I was able to move there was because of 1) Proximity; it was right next to me and 2) thick-skin: I asked the previous owner and the right bosses.
Anyway, this cube started a chain of events which weren't so nice and ended up with name calling.
Apparently, a particular person had labeled me as "loud, noisy, crazy woman" when asked who had moved into the prime cube. This particular person, though not very close to me, wasn't very distant either. So when others overheard him/her saying it, they were appalled and informed me of the offending remarks.
The assessment of me being loud, noisy and crazy is obsolutely accurate of course (ask Ms Sui), and I'm not affected by it in the least. I don't really give a hoot or even 1/2 hoot to what others in my office think. I was actually quite amused by it. I could have come up with more creative labels. And of course I was quite touched by the indignation and defensiveness a couple felt towards the remarks.
At the same time, I thought it was important to do some self-reflection. Perhaps my loud and noisy ways had affected the way others seated near me work? I know Ms Sui had to make some adjustments... maybe that why she had earphones plugged in last time :P. I should probably ask around my other neighbouring cubes. And if so, I should probably make some changes. Yes, this is not like me at all, trying to accomodate others... but age does strange things to people. It blunts your claws and makes you see things in better, hopefully wiser, perspective.
Anyways, ... I have a good friend coming in soon and I'm looking forward to that. She would be parked right next to me, in my previous non-landed cube! She used to have a habit of sudden exclamations when pissed too. So I won't be alone in doing such things soon.
Hmmm,... I do wonder though if that person who labeled me would also label her. Although I doubt it... because in this case, I do think this particular person had always been prejudiced against me and more so recently. I guess time will tell if I'm right.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
Why so like that?
Today, I gave an idiotic parent a piece of my mind.
I was on the train when this mom, her maid and her boy (estimated 2-3 years) boarded the train and sat beside me. Immediately after they sat down, the maid whipped out a stick of fishballs and nuggets from Old Chang Kee for the boy to eat. I struggled within if I should say something. But my big mouth blabbered before my mind could decide... I told the maid (since she was the one who offered the food, although I know it is the Ma'am who is at fault), that she shouldn't feed the child in the train as eating is not allowed. I pointed to the "No Eating" sign. The maid naturally looked at the Ma'am. The Mom who was busily smsing took a look at me and said, "Aiyah, nevermind lah. Little children hungry what!" To the onlookers, I must have seem like some child-bully, depriving a kid of his fishballs and nuggest... how terrible.
But I stood my ground. I pointed to the sign and repeated what I said. The Mom also refused to back down and raised her voice saying something to the effect that I should mind my own business. Well,... since a challenge has been issued. I can't possibly decline a good fight, esp. with rude parents. I told her in a very firm (but not impolite) voice that what she is doing is that she is setting a bad example for the child. That she is teaching the child that rules and even laws can be disregarded and broken. I asked her how she would expect her child to behave responsibly in future when she has clearly sent the message that being irresponsible is okay. Then I ended saying, "Look, your child is already observing you now... and your helper too. You think they will respect your houserules in future?"
I think she was embarrassed and scolded the maid for giving food to the kid. I felt sorry for the maid.
Had the child been very young and do not understand what are rules and law, I wouldn't have said a peep. But this child is in preschool uniform and is clearly of the age when he can be made to understand rules and consequences. I hope this kid will not grow up to be one of the many disturbing, selfish teens who litter and spit in public places without shame.
And yes, I was extremely proud of myself..., I will admit unabashed that it was very 'shiok' feeling.
I was on the train when this mom, her maid and her boy (estimated 2-3 years) boarded the train and sat beside me. Immediately after they sat down, the maid whipped out a stick of fishballs and nuggets from Old Chang Kee for the boy to eat. I struggled within if I should say something. But my big mouth blabbered before my mind could decide... I told the maid (since she was the one who offered the food, although I know it is the Ma'am who is at fault), that she shouldn't feed the child in the train as eating is not allowed. I pointed to the "No Eating" sign. The maid naturally looked at the Ma'am. The Mom who was busily smsing took a look at me and said, "Aiyah, nevermind lah. Little children hungry what!" To the onlookers, I must have seem like some child-bully, depriving a kid of his fishballs and nuggest... how terrible.
But I stood my ground. I pointed to the sign and repeated what I said. The Mom also refused to back down and raised her voice saying something to the effect that I should mind my own business. Well,... since a challenge has been issued. I can't possibly decline a good fight, esp. with rude parents. I told her in a very firm (but not impolite) voice that what she is doing is that she is setting a bad example for the child. That she is teaching the child that rules and even laws can be disregarded and broken. I asked her how she would expect her child to behave responsibly in future when she has clearly sent the message that being irresponsible is okay. Then I ended saying, "Look, your child is already observing you now... and your helper too. You think they will respect your houserules in future?"
I think she was embarrassed and scolded the maid for giving food to the kid. I felt sorry for the maid.
Had the child been very young and do not understand what are rules and law, I wouldn't have said a peep. But this child is in preschool uniform and is clearly of the age when he can be made to understand rules and consequences. I hope this kid will not grow up to be one of the many disturbing, selfish teens who litter and spit in public places without shame.
And yes, I was extremely proud of myself..., I will admit unabashed that it was very 'shiok' feeling.
Monday 2 February 2009
An excerpt
My excerpt from an imaginary book...
My mind is the clearest at night. Like mice, I feel my thoughts burrowing the deepest in the quiet hours when others slumber. (Hence, why this blog is titled such.)
Long ago when my home was up North and my bed beside the window, I could observe the moon and stars right where I lie. I could see the shades of grey on the face of the moon, the bright glitter of some stars and the wanning light of others. I wondered from childhood what it would be like to live on the moon, as I wondered the same about clouds... a clear brainwashed effect from CareBears. I wondered if I would like the solitude esp. when I get tired and weary of the hustle and bustle and the incessant 'noise' around me. Naturally, logic and good sense prevails. It's not possible to live on the moon or in the clouds.
Tonight, I thought about the book I had wanted to write. The book about a boy who was stranded on a silver whale and his many advantures. I am still at Chapter 1. I have all the plots and intricate details worked out. But words fail me when I try to pen it. I don't think my thoughts would ever get inked. I don't want to excuse it as writer's block; I'm not a writer. It's just plain laziness and procrastination.
And I procrastinate too often, so often that it is becoming a habit. I think if I'm not careful, Procrastination will feast away my life. Already, I knew in my deepest soul, I had stopped living.
My mind is the clearest at night. Like mice, I feel my thoughts burrowing the deepest in the quiet hours when others slumber. (Hence, why this blog is titled such.)
Long ago when my home was up North and my bed beside the window, I could observe the moon and stars right where I lie. I could see the shades of grey on the face of the moon, the bright glitter of some stars and the wanning light of others. I wondered from childhood what it would be like to live on the moon, as I wondered the same about clouds... a clear brainwashed effect from CareBears. I wondered if I would like the solitude esp. when I get tired and weary of the hustle and bustle and the incessant 'noise' around me. Naturally, logic and good sense prevails. It's not possible to live on the moon or in the clouds.
Tonight, I thought about the book I had wanted to write. The book about a boy who was stranded on a silver whale and his many advantures. I am still at Chapter 1. I have all the plots and intricate details worked out. But words fail me when I try to pen it. I don't think my thoughts would ever get inked. I don't want to excuse it as writer's block; I'm not a writer. It's just plain laziness and procrastination.
And I procrastinate too often, so often that it is becoming a habit. I think if I'm not careful, Procrastination will feast away my life. Already, I knew in my deepest soul, I had stopped living.
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