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Had a chance to chat with our boss over lunch today! together with a few of the other temp staff.. really can learn so much, and i think it's more of her spirit than anything else.. she's a woman who lives out what she believes in, and leads by example. (just like how everyone talked abt catching the spirit of the guy who spoke at last ywa =))
just to write down the things she shared.. we somehow mentioned 'leaders'.. and anita spoke and said, to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower, and good servant. you've gotta go down to their level and try out the things before you ask others to do them, otherwise how can you be sure that it's a good method, or that it even works? be willing to do hands on work, and there is nothing to low for you to do.
what she feels has blessed her is the time she was born - just before the hi-tech age came about, and till now where so many things have become hi-tech, computers and all. for some of the more senior folks, it's difficult to learn the new technology. and for us younger ones, we're in tune with the Singapore system of getting results, of striving to be always at the top. what's gonna happen in the future when everyone wants to be at the top, and no one's happy doing the so-called 'low-level' jobs? everyone naturally has their place, but if all are striving for the same high positions, there's gonna be imbalance and discontentment.
so what can we young ones do? one of the things we can do, as she suggests, is to just hone our relational skills, and to work with a purpose and a meaning in everything we do..becoming the best in smthg isn't what life's about; lots of people in their 30s-40s actually start going more and more on mission trips bcos they found that out, that to give is better, and life is about giving. singaporean parents fret when their kid has a slight cut, but what about kids in India who have to lose a leg? so it's quite easy to spot a singaporean anywhere haha.
for example, if you're doing sales, you first gotta talk to the person and ask questions instead of saying what you think.. find out about their problems, then you can actually effectively suggest to them the materials they need. otherwise they'll just say 'thank you' and 'gdbye' when you're done talking. =)
also was qt surprised when she mentioned she cleans up her own bed in hotel rooms! hahaha. she feels that all people should be treated with respect, not needing them to clean up after u if you can do it yourself. You don't over-dirty your home even if you have a domestic helper, so that when she sees that you respect her and try to help with her workload in that sense, she will respect you in turn. anita doesn't have a maid btw.. haha. a school principal, mum with 4 kids, and having to do all the housework..so many things to do, yet she could still find time to talk and share with us. when i asked her, she just said it's time management, prioritising things you need to finish, and not rushing things that don't. cos there'll never be a time when you actually complete EVERY task you have. i liked that, like Jesus.. always got time to stop just for the Samaritan woman in the midst of a busy day.
also realised that there are people who seem busy and stressed, even though they don't have much work. conversely, people who are somebodies are able to come down to other people's level, to serve, and not act like they are somebodies even tho they are. they are busy people who don't need to show that they're busy.
so we know when it's wise to keep a low profile.. no need to tell the whole world everything, no need to try to be everything, or make your presence known, or even to say too many words, but when help is needed, you're there. my side will be the flip side - to talk more and be socialble haha. she said that many tend to be reserved and on their guard when they talk to new people (that's me..).. and that's not gd. even if you consider office politics.. as long as you're not conscious of politics as you act, it'll be okay. just be yourself, and learn to be more open, more childlike. spending time with the kids now is a great way to develop all these.. learnng how to relate to people.. becos in many senses, adults are not that much different.
on leadership... the best leadership is that by example. and it's really true.. i was thinking of how Jen leads haha.. how he's such a meticulous guy, in music for instance, but yet doesn't impose this on others. this is smthg i'm learning haha. leading by example..
yup, so yes.. we can really thrive on 'adversity', because it's in these situations that we can really grow and be moulded. might be hard, but it just moulds you to be a better person. been reading on short biblios of many many film composers! most have such talent, but had a tough journey, especially during their time when everything was more difficult, tedious, without the current sophisticated softwares.. one of the common denominators is that they REALLY work hard. really really. work for hours, super short deadlines (cos music's apparently one of the last in many a director's mind). many also have great PR skills, having to work with various sorts of people who can't really appreciate good music, and they love what they do and really put all of themselves into it.. one of the many rushes is when the score they compose is finally recorded by super talented musicians who'll blow you off your socks. the feeling's just like magic. =)) wonderful. but they're also the people who stick with what they do, even though circumstances aren't always favourable.. they persevere, and also keep learning.
many things to grapple with! but a journey that will produce a sweet result. :)
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