The Compass in your Hand

Focused Reading

2008-11-16T03:28:00.004+08:00

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.

Updates

2008-11-16T02:08:00.005+08:00

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.

My Dream Team

2008-08-03T11:36:00.003+08:00

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.

Faith that Flies

2008-07-06T13:19:00.003+08:00

The Karate Kid's Faith helps the Eagle, Angel to Fly.

Has your faith done the same for your cadets under you?

Everyone Knows About Leadership

2008-06-21T11:31:00.008+08:00

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.

Some Servings of Big M and L

2008-06-15T14:09:00.008+08:00

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.

Investment in Lives

2008-06-15T13:37:00.004+08:00

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?

Of Kopi and Kaya Toast

2008-06-01T18:19:00.003+08:00

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!"

It is about Connection

2008-06-01T17:42:00.003+08:00

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".

The Three "Threes"

2008-05-29T18:51:00.012+08:00

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?

The Compasses in Their Hands

2008-05-27T20:33:00.003+08:00

One of the purposes of Leadership Training can be illustrated simply in this way :

If you know how to use a compass and find directions, you can use it to lead people to the directions, reaching their goals and advancing in life. However, you can just do that much ... if you do not teach them to use the compass and find the directions for themselves. Let's say your leadership capacity is to lead 5 people in life and you do not train them to be leaders - all that you can produce in this life is just .... five followers.

BUT ... if you teach your five followers to use the compass and find directions, and teach them to teach others - you are multiplying your own capacity. Your five followers become leaders, and then this group of five leaders can train five more under their individual charge and so on ....

get it? =)

The Compass in Your Hand can only do that much ...

But by putting The Compass in Their Hands,

It multiplies your capacity,

It multiplies their capacity,

Creating explosive growths. (in the unit, and whichever organisation one is leading).

Such is the excitement of Leadership Training ... but it has its costs and it demands sacrifices too. I will talk more about that in the next few posts.

Can we?

2008-05-25T12:07:00.004+08:00

Can we stop leading?

Is there a choice in Leadership?

It depends on your definition of this word. If you consider Leadership as positions, ranks and appointments, you can stop leading when you want (of course). However, positional leadership is just a part of Leadership - the word, "Leadership" demands a wider scope of definition. In fact, it encompasses almost all aspects of life.

In my previous post, New Chapters - The Compass in Your Hand, I talked about leaders are only leaders when they have people following them. So, in each aspect of your life, do you need people to follow you? Do not think "big" yet ... let's start from things very basic :

a) Elder brothers and sisters need to make their youngers ones listen to and follow them.

b) Couples need to follow each other. And when they are married, they need to lead their families.

c) Teachers need to make their students listen and follow them, so that lessons can be conducted and learnt.

d) Positional leaders need to make their teams of followers and leaders work together and achieve great things.

Almost everywhere, anytime and in any situation, Leadership is involved and required.

So, can we stop leading and being leaders?

....

....

....

.... Can we live when we stop breathing?

If you picture Leadership as the Breath of Your Life ...

you know,

you can't stop leading.

...

...

It is either you are weak or strong in this Life with Leadership.

Remote Controlled Leadership

2008-05-24T22:34:00.004+08:00

It happened recently.

We were in the school hall - someone important was on the stage, giving a message. There were a few groups of students talking and having private chit-chats - not interested in what went on the stage. I looked around and spotted a student leader in the midst of the "talking groups".

I called her up and asked her why she did not stop the people from talking and giving some dued respect to the speaker on the stage.

Her reply was saddening :

"Because I am not on duty."

I call that "Remote Controlled Leadership".

You need Leadership - you press the "On" button. And when you do not need it, hit the "Off" one. Remote Controlled Leadership has a controlled time span, a fixed time table - when it is "on" it will be really "on", The LEADER springs forth in action, commanding, demanding respect and wants attention. And when Leadership is not required, the "off button" suppresses its potential, making The LEADER, an ordinary person - a follower.

Remoted Controlled Leadership will make you an ineffective leader in the long run - because Leaders are expected to be consistent - walking the talk. Time-tabled leadership devalues leaders' credibility.

So next time when you walk the talk :

a) You will tuck in your school uniform all the time - because Remote Controlled Leadership devalues your effort in mentoring someone seeking discipline.

b) You submit your work on time - because Remote Controlled Leadership devalues your effort in mentoring someone seeking time management and priorities.

c) You watch your tongue - because Remote Controlled Leadership devalues your effort in mentoring someone seeking integrity and graciousness of speech.

and so the list goes on ...

in short, Remote Controlled Leadership should be flushed down in the drain completely. It is not needed and leaders who want to grow and continue leading should never practise that

.... at all.

New Chapters - The Compass in Your Hand

2008-05-24T22:09:00.002+08:00

And so, it have been ages since the last time I posted on this blog.

I am back - with new chapters of thoughts on Leadership. I have grown and am prepared to share again. I hope that the new chapters can help you to grow too. I use "Growth (in Leadership)" instead of "Improvement (in Leadership)" because the word "Growing" or "Growth" helps us to know that development in leadership skills is not an option - we must attain more and more Leadership Skills as time passes. Otherwise, if we stop growing - the next option is "Decay".

And so, we are going to start a NPCC Mentoring Team - Invitation has been sent out to some of you to come on board to develop and train leaders - our very own Damai NPCC Leaders. I had given you three points to consider and think about :

a) Leaders are only leaders if there are people following them. Without a group of followers, who does a leader lead? Can he be considered a leader at all?

b) People will naturally choose to follow people who are stronger in leadership than them.

c) A Good Leader will choose to grow and continue growing. That is the only way to remain effective in leading people - no other option.

And so ... I will write again.

I invite you to read through the chapters with me and explore new and higher grounds.

Stay Tuned.

The Right Approach - Before Discipline

2006-09-30T11:30:00.000+08:00

Is it easier to train Army Commandoes or NPCC Cadets? Or should I rephrase the question, Which one of these two groups of people is easier to ..... discipline?

Personally, I feel that NPCC Cadets (or other student uniformed groups) are harder to discipline. Army Commandoes or other elite fighting groups are easier to discipline and train simply because they have :

1) The Heart to follow.

2) The Belief (or the Mindset) that discipline is necessary.

Being a teacher, I have come to terms that shouting, screaming and threats are not the tools to get students to be disciplined. They may work for a short while but after that, the misbehaviour will come back again. So I spend more time with them, talking to them, explaining to them why the need for discipline. I want to win their hearts first before getting them to be disciplined. I find that once that rapport and understanding between my students and me are built, discipline comes so much easier. Barriers against understanding and changing mindsets of the students will be removed, and they will accept whatever I say and teach.

To move people, move their hearts first.

Once your charges know that you have their interests in mind, they will take whatever you give to them. A lot of effort and time have to be put in to build that rapport before you set out to discipline them. The ground works need to be laid first before they obey.

You have to remember that some of the cadets do not join NPCC by choice. They would not have the heart and mind to follow the regimental side of this CCA. That is why NPCC Cadets are more difficult to train than Commandoes. If you really wanted to reach out to them you have to win their hearts first, after that, change their mindset ... THEN you can talk about discipline.

For a start, do you remember ALL the names of your cadets under you? Are you interested in them at all? If not, can you build discipline in them?

... Can You?

The Right Approach - Authentic Discipline

2006-09-23T11:50:00.000+08:00

I got worried when cadets respond to CIs or NCOs, shouting, "YES SIR/MDM!" or "NO SIR/MDM!" promptly without much thinking. For eg,

CI asked the cadets, "HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!!???" (maybe after making the cadets did 20 push ups for being slow) ...

usually, the cadets would reply dutifully, "YES SIR!!!!" and even louder if the former were real angry with his charges.

CI would shout again, "I CANNOT HEAR YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!!!????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Cadets, "YES SIR!!!!!"

Did the cadets really understand what the CI was trying to teach them? Or did they give that answer because they were afraid of given more push ups? Or was the answer given to make the CI stop shouting?

It is not healthy discipline. It may not be discipline at all. When the shouting or punishment stops, the "ill disciplined" cadets will be back.

Discipline comes when the cadets understand what the instructors are trying to teach them, accept the values, internalise them and make the values part of their lives and demonstrate that thinking with or without the presence of the shouting CIs and NCOs.

It should be something that all CIs, NCOs and instructors should strive for and build in cadets. Discipline of fear for punishment yield short termed goals but discipline of understanding and acceptance makes the management of the unit so much easier and efficient (you do not need to shout at the cadets anymore, they love discipline.)

That is Authentic Discipline.

The Right Approach - Definition and Goals

2006-09-16T18:07:00.000+08:00

Someone asked me ...

"How to discipline cadets without using corporal punishment?"

That question covers a very wide scope. I will break the entry on that question into different posts on different days. We will check out the key words in this question now ...

Discipline - What is discipline to you? What do you hope to see when you say "I want a group of cadets that is disciplined."? What are your goals when you discipline a cadet? You need to define that overly used word but rarely thought about or understood by people.

Punishment - Usually, punishment is tied in together with Discipline. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Yet, remember and watch out for that last straw that breaks the camel's back. We have to be careful to not to over use punishment whether corporal style or just scolding/reprimanding.

Take some time to digest what I have written. I must say that I am not a "Mr Know-All" on discipline. I am just writting down my personal thoughts here. Feel free to counter my views with yours.

Stay tuned.

Movement and Wind

2006-09-16T17:52:00.000+08:00

I like to run in the past, until my knees said it was time to slow down. It "creaks" these days. I love running, I liked the homerun, the last lap when I sprinted with anticipation ...

I felt the Wind brushing my face - there was Movement.

Now I take on cycling. I love cycling down slopes. It is relaxing and cooling, it is fast. I wish those moments will never end.

I felt the Wind brushing my face - there was Movement.

When things move - you can feel it. It creates excitment and is usually more positive than negative. When humans move, we should be able to feel it too. When people work together, makes things happen and results come in, we can feel, we can see.

Think a bit deeper - do you feel the Wind in NPCC? in the NCO Squad (I am not talking about Berlisa running)? or in the various squads? Are we producing results like we should? Is there any Movement at all?

Measuring Worth

2006-09-02T12:17:00.000+08:00

How much does your credibility as a leader measure today?

Are you really proud to be a leader?

... Then again, how do you understand about BEING PROUD and PRIDE OF (leadership)?

Do you understand that leadership comes with a price ... or two, or maybe ... three?

Are you convinced that to serve is to lead ... and to lead is serve?

'
'
'
'
'
'

Was it difficult to bring in NPCC uniform early in the morning and perform crowd control duties that day? That moment of laziness and the reluctance to don on THE Uniform for the public duty measured the worth of your leadership commitment that day. So what if you can give clear drill commands and know every single knot in NPCC? Leadership is not just about being in the frontline and on stage. It is about background work too ... hardwork.

When duties call, READINESS and PROMPTNESS should be our only responses. Not that of giving excuses and finding ways to avoid the responsibility.

We put on ranks ...

They are worth something and certainly worth more, when the stripes increase.

If you are not ready for the worth,

do not ask for it.

If you had asked for it,

Do take some time to measure the worth of your ranks today.

How to Lead?

2006-07-21T23:13:00.000+08:00

I asked someone to "take the lead" today. To solve her present problems with her team ... she asked me in return, "Can you give me a solution to how to lead?" ...

I looked at her sms, thought deep, then replied her message. I gave her three points :

You must have the CONFIDENCE (courage to face your problems)

then,

you must have that NEVER-SAY-DIE attitude (persist to face your problems)

and finally,

you must have that BELIEF that things will turn for the better (to overcome and transform your problems to hope).

Dear NCOs ... try to internalise those three points and

grow as leaders. The process is never easy but if we run with perseverance and continue to serve with courage, those bed of trials will become bed of roses one day. The rose fragrance of leadership comes sweeter and nicer when you have been through much setbacks.

Leadership Bottles

2006-07-08T22:57:00.000+08:00

Leadership is often discussed more than Servanthood.

Some of us prefer to lead than to serve.

Others try to contain leadership in a bottle and unless they have everything in that bottle, they would not want to lead and do not feel confident to lead. They must have "this" and "that" to feel qualified as a leader. Often,

"I am no good.",

"People do not listen to me.",

"I do not seem to get people moving."

are obstacles to them. They would not feel good unless they collect those and put them in their Leadership Bottle. They will look high and low for those, neglecting their duties, trying to be someone they are not. Time passes, life goes on, they are found lagging behind.

Waste no more time.

What do you have in your hands? Which area are you heading, leading or serving now?

If it is organising a hike, do your best.

If it is conducting drill, simply do your best.

If it is leading games, just do your best.

So long as you maximise whatever you do, doing your best in what you are given ...

you have comprehended Leadership.

These are Important Too.

2006-06-17T09:51:00.000+08:00

I will get worry for cadets whose cadet days are smooth sailing, success after sucess, achievement after achievement.

These cadets may never grow up well eventually. When something real painful comes along the way and strike them, it will be fatal.

On the other hand, I embrace defeats and setbacks as important allies for cadets to grow strong and tall through NPCC days. These are important too. Without defeats and setbacks, how would a cadet actually learn to bounce back and ... simply, to try again? Without the stinging wounds of such, how would a cadet feel the pain and learn how to handle them when they come, whether in NPCC or later in life?

Thus, Defeats and Setbacks are important ... the nursing back and followup, are important too.

Mentors and the more experience ones need to take time, effort and love to nurse these cadets back to their feet again. Neglect them, you will lose them.

One of my hopes for my cadets is for them to look at their setbacks as temporal, valuable life lessons, friends instead of foes - something that is priceless if they want to build their lives on strong foundation.

The Many Faces of Leadership

2006-05-28T10:45:00.000+08:00

You cannot simply define Leadership in just a sentence or two ... or one word or words.

The scope of Leadership is just too wide and broad. Its meaning differs from situation to situation.

Yesterday was Passing Out Parade for the NCOs. Obstacles met, problems solved, problems unsolved and lessons learnt. The portable PA was not working. The Sec 3 pitted their resources and wits together to try to solve the problem. It was finally solved but not after some hard running, perspiration and tension.

To them, Leadership could have meant, "Detailed", "Meticulous"... to have back ups next time, should it happen again. "Courage" came in too last evening ... without a strong heart, those Sec 3 NCOs would have given up soon after about 2 hours of running in vain.

A problem was not solved though - the key to the AVA Room mic cabinet was never found. There was no PA in that farewell concert last night - So what was Leadership to them then? ... "Give and Take"? "Retreat (when necessary)" ? or something negative like ..... "My Fault"?

The POP clashes with the peer leader camp last night. The camp commandant was kind to lend us the school for our function. Our programmes over-run way beyond our schedule time. She called me to say that the school was going to close at 8:30 pm .... the concert started at about 7:55 pm? ...30 min for concert was not enough.

I was sandwiched between the two events. I needed to be accountable to the camp commandant of the peer leader camp for the use of the school premises and also taking care not to let the POP affect the camp programmes. On the other hand, I was soft-hearted to say ... "ok, Sec 1, 2 and 3 do not need to perform ... we will have our farewell speech by the NCOs now." huh? ... after all those hard preparations by the cadets and now I needed to say "stop"? I needed to think of solutions on the spot and tried to solve that "sandwiched problem." It was solved eventually .... lessons learnt ...

Leadership suddenly dawned on me as "Sacrifices". While the cadets were enjoying themselves in the AVA room ... I was trying to make the best of the situation out there. "Quick thinking", "Negotiation Skills" also came in ... "Prepare to Be TOTALLY Responsible" also hit me last night. I also needed to take care that the NCOs and cadets were not disturbed and unaware of what was going on, in order that the mood was not dampened, it was the NCOs' special night afterall. So, "Care and Concern, Protection" also came in.

So what is Leadership to you today when you are in NPCC?

How about tomorrow, when you leave NPCC?

Do not underestimate that MIND

2006-05-20T12:48:00.000+08:00

When I was serving my NS, my platoon SGT would keep telling us ... "It is all in your MIND." When it came to clearing obstacles course, "It is all in your MIND." When it came to long route marches, "It is all in your MIND." I cannot remember how I actually reacted to that, "It is all in your MIND." preaching .... cos' it was about twenty years since I left those pulau tekong recruit days.

Does it work? The MIND? ... Yes.

Does it make a difference? The MIND?... Yes.

Your mind controls what you do, how you react, how you think (you can, and cannot). It is the engine that pushes the heart and passion of yours for the unit. Both work hand in hand together.

Without the Heart, no Passion and Commitment ... without the Mind, no Courage and Will Power.

I remember that I had to shift a NPCC room two years ago to another new room ALL BY MYSELF. It contained three steel cupboards, dummy rifles, table, chairs and a personal PC. I have to shift all those within one day. I did not know what got into me that day ...

I refused to say, "No, I cannot do it." ...

my MIND was ..."I would shift and move all those by today, no matter what." ...

So armed with just a trolley, I removed the things in the cupboards and moved them down on that trolley, one by one. Bit by bit .. with a little bit of perspiration and mind, I managed to finish the shifting at about 9 pm. I started at about 1 pm. That included packing up the things in the new room and sweeping and clearing the old one.

The Heart says, "It is impossible."

The Mind says, "Just do it, you can do it."

The Heart says, "I am happy and delighted."

The Mind says, "Lean on me next time, I will carry your passion and commitment through again."

The Heart says, "Yes, with my passion and with your guts, nothing is too difficult for us."

You have the heart and passion to win, let's say in a Campcraft Competition. But it will be the Mind that helps you to have an edge over the rest of the competition teams. When the goings get tough and the pressure and tension of the heated competition is immense, the winning team is often the one that has the guts and will power to carry them through.

It can decide whether you are the winner for that day or not.

Paper Leader

2006-05-12T19:18:00.000+08:00

There are leaders who only sit in a room discussing and mapping out directions and visions. They do not bother to take a look at their charges' needs and study the situation. They come out with detailed planning, almost perfect agenda for the whole year or even two or three years ahead. "THIS IS THE DIRECTION" - they will say. I will call these leaders, Paper Leaders. They discuss what is on the paper, not bothering what is really happening out there.

I will want my NCOs to come out first with objectives for the programmes that they are conducting before planning. These are important.

Two persons in a room,

one ask the other to "Go out" ...

The latter ask, "Go where?"

The former replies, "Just go .. "

The latter ask ... "Where???"

You need to have a direction before you go. The objectives of any program that you plan are important to for any success that you want and good for evaluation at the end of the programmes too.

So ... we have Objectives. But where do objectives come from? ... Do not be too quick to map out objectives for say, "Leadership Course for the NCOs". You must study the needs of your cadets first before deciding. Know the current needs and situation, study in detail ... do not be a Paper Leader. It is easy to throw in a few objectives for "Leadership Course" I can give you some in a flash ...

1) To train future leaders and prepare them to take over the unit.

2) To train them in campcraft and drills. (that they might be good enough for NCOship)

3) To build strong bonds among NCOs.

or ... objectives for a BBQ ? ... Here's goes ...

1) To foster strong bonds among the NCOs and cadets.

2) To have a fun time together.

3) To bid farewell to the outgoing CIs and NCOs.

But wait .....

Have you studied the situation? Do you really know the needs and wants of the cadets or NCOs now? Have you asked them and done a survey?

Are you a ...

Paper Leader?