Thought 01NOV2007

A LEADERSHIP PRIMER - [lesson 4]
"Don't be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard"

Learn from the pros, observe them, seek them out as mentors and partners. But remember that even the pros may have leveled out in terms of their learning and skills. Sometimes even the pros can become complacent and lazy. Leadership does not emerge from blind obedience to anyone. Xerox's Barry Rand was right on target when he warned his people that if you have a yes-man working for you, one of you is redundant. Good leadership encourages everyone's evolution.
General Colin Powell - Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff - Former Secretary of State - USA

If a man fools me once, shame on him; if he fools me twice, shame on me - Irish Proverb

Thought 31OCT2007

A LEADERSHIP PRIMER - [lesson 3]
"Don't be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world"
Small companies and start-ups don't have the time for analytically detached experts. They don't have the money to subsidize lofty elites, either. The president answers the phone and drives the truck when necessary; everyone on the payroll visibly produces and contributes to bottom-line results or they're history. But as companies get bigger, they often forget who "brought them to the dance": things like all-hands involvement, egalitarianism, informality, market intimacy, daring, risk, speed, agility. Policies that emanate from ivory towers often have an adverse impact on the people out in the field who are fighting the wars or bringing in the revenues. Real leaders are vigilant, and combative, in the face of these trends.
General Colin Powell - Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff - Former Secretary of State - USA

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past - Irish Proverb

Thought 30OCT2007

A LEADERSHIP PRIMER - [lesson 2]
"The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership"
If this were a litmus test, the majority of CEOs would fail. One, they build so many barriers to upward communication that the very idea of someone lower in the hierarchy looking up to the leader for help is ludicrous. Two, the corporate culture they foster often defines asking for help as weakness or failure, so people cover up their gaps, and the organization suffers accordingly. Real leaders make themselves accessible and available. They show concern for the efforts and challenges faced by underlings, even as they demand high standards. Accordingly, they are more likely to create an environment where problem analysis replaces blame.
General Colin Powell - Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff - Former Secretary of State Secretary - USA

May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten - Irish Proverb

Thought 29OCT2007

A LEADERSHIP PRIMER - [lesson 1]
"Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off"
Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It's inevitable, if you're honorable. Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you'll avoid the tough decisions, you'll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted, and you'll avoid offering differential rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset. Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally "nicely" regardless of their contributions, you'll simply ensure that the only people you'll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization.
General Colin Powell - Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff - Former Secretary of State - USA

Those who play the game do not see it as clearly as those who watch - Irish Proverb

Small Gathering

Memanjangkan the TMS 1963 - 1973 Reuninon held at Kuala Pilah Rest House on 31st August, I decided to start the momentum on 'continued small gatherings' to ensure that the TMS 1963-1973 group grows and keep in touch. We had Dato' Fuad, Dato' Jamshah, Tahrim, Elfian & Mad Yusof over for the dean's favourite mee kari, lasagna and chocolate cake. Superb food! We'll continue this and have another one with more friends soon !!!

Blogging is easy ??? Child's play !!!

There must have 'Blogging For Idiots", but they don't. As we ease out on life, there must be something interesting to do. So I decided to join my daughter - blogging. Her blog has always been the guide to her well being; which we cherised very much. The indication of busyness, healthy, wealthy and wise. Well, coping up, steady, walking tall, humble and safe - any parents' nightmare. The cycle then continues - when they (the children) becomes parents. Figured out what to do, where to do (the templates, fonts, settings, postings and the what nots. What to show, not to show, what to say, not to say, what to peek, not to peek !!!! Hey presto - I am blogging !!! Here we go ...