People Management

Part 1. Simply because I think I will write about this topic again in future. Never short of experiences to write about when it comes to this.

There are a lot of books out there on leadership and specifically on managing people. The ones I have read almost always talks about the same things, the same tips. I can't remember when I stopped buying them. Nowadays, I think the Harvard Business Review keeps me updated enough on the new adaptations (I say adaptation because people management principles don't change, we just need to flexibly adapt to the generation and lifestyle we live in), latest research and management fads. And more so since over the years of being a people manager, nothing is like truly experiencing it on the job, everyday. Obvious, you could say.

I realized managing people has many similarities with managing your own children. Except in this case you have many (many many) more and that they're all adults who have been nurtured differently, come from different environments, have different perspectives on life and other people in general. Nevertheless, there is one dilemma about people management I find consistent with raising my own children. When do you be all supportive, encouraging, motivating and when do you be firm, demanding i.e. tough without necessarily meaning you 'love' them any less?

It's situational. 

There are times when a little bit of unreasonable-ness is needed to drive change. Else, everything stays status quo because it is the path of least resistance. 

There are times when you are extra supportive because you feel guilt that you have somewhat 'neglected' that particular area and your team is obviously trying hard.

There are times you need to be more motivating and understanding, not because you want to be popular and be liked but because we are all humans, and we need that encouragement occasionally.

..and there are times when toughness and 'guru besar' discipline is just needed. period.

Nevertheless, a key condition to situational leadership is professionalism. It's not personal and should not be.

Also, the further we climb up the ladder, expect that you will 'receive' TLC and 'tough'ness in a whole different light (darkness sometimes :P) and in different form than before. But that is fair, as demands and expectations of you are also higher.

Agree to disagree with me?

What have we done for our country lately?

So I had 'fans' who noticed I haven't written in days..more than 10 days to be exact. Truth is  I have been 'busy inspired' (I'll tell you what that means) but also uninspired to write. Takde mood lah! as a typical Malaysian would say. Anyways, 'busy inspired' is a term I coined for myself when work is overwhelming but in an interesting, inspiring way that it gets me so preoccupied, I pretty much don't do any philosophical observations about anything. No reflections, no stories so no writing. But I am back today!  

It's also been a busy week of reading and watching more news, speculations, theories and stumbling upon social 'pop up aviation experts'. Admittedly, some of the comments I read from so-called 'Malaysians' and neighbors alike made me feel angry (pissed off is more like it) and even disgusted.

I had an interesting discussion with a bunch of people from diverse career backgrounds and nationalities earlier this week. There seems to be a common observation that Malaysians have become a bunch of whiners and complainers. We are unhappy over everything and do not talk enough of the good things. Now, some of you will relate this to politics but put that aside for now, this is beyond politics. Try and do a bit of 'social listening' *read trolling through social media like FB, Twitter* and I think you would agree.

Then someone said that he comes from a country relatively under developed than Malaysia and he asked, when did you guys gain independence? Someone in the group said 1957 (thank God no one got it wrong!). The guy then said, well my country gained independence in the 1950s too and if you guys try to compare where Malaysia is with countries who gained independence about the same time are today, you should be proud of what Malaysia has achieved, how good your life is and how much opportunities your children get.

I didn't do my comparison, intentionally so, because deep inside I want to believe he is right. Because I am proud and whilst I may not be a seasoned traveller like Ian Wright, I too have seen enough places to be proud of where I call home. 

Nationalism is second to religion. If we don't have it, why call ourself a citizen of the country. Look at Japan and how, even when not threatened, wherever they are, they rally behind nationalism. Imagine if you try and threaten them.. But some of us, when the foreign media mocks us, without checking facts or knowing what goes on, we join them in the mockery! Just because it is an opportunity to capitalize on a weak moment. Sad.

It's not that I believe challenging ourselves and others isn't good. I believe in that. I believe we should always challenge the status quo so we don't get complacent. What is bad is bad, what is wrong is wrong but we can do this constructively. And drive that change where you can (even behind keyboards, effectively). But I also believe when something is good, it's got to be acknowledged. This is true in business too.

So, before we utter our next complaint let's ask ourselves. What have we done for our country lately?

Picture courtesy of Google Images

My prayers for MH 370, please Allah show us the answer...

Prayers

Saddened to hear the news of missing MH370. Someone's husband, wife, parent, child and lover was on board and it's unimaginable what they must be going through.

Let's pray for their safety and stop spreading information for unofficial sources. Social media is a powerful multiplier, let's use it wisely.

One of those days..

'Where I am' vs 'Where I'd like to be'

Yes, even as chairwoman. I'm human :)

Moral of the story:
Sometimes, try to see bosses and staff as normal human beings and not just as the boss or employee. It can lead to better understanding and working environment for both sides.

Having fun

What a day. Started the morning performing a Grease musical. Yeah you read that right. Performing. As in singing and dancing. In a roomful of 200 people.

But I ain't quitting my day job for Broadway...not yet (p/s: talent agencies can contact me directly please :/)

Thereafter, it's serious business of course with our partners...but on occasions such as this we try to make sure we have fun too. Life is short, why be so serious :)

Eat your heart out Olivia!

Bosses do get bullied I tell ya....

When you can't find them, go where the food is...tsk tsk

At least someone got my opening speech

I can even get beauty tips from this bunch

Ok we actually mean business too!! 

Shutting down

So I get asked this question a lot. "How do you manage everything?"

It may be disappointing to those expecting that I have the formula all worked out in a list I post on my fridge and look at everyday, but no..there is no formula, there is no right way

It's a combination of many things that I hope this blog, in every topic I write about will enlighten you. 

It's a concoction of choices I make as I live my life everyday. Many many wrong choices but the few right ones make it all worthwhile. I guess the most important is self awareness.. being aware and acknowledging the mistakes you made and learning from it, the things that went right and being grateful for them. But this requires one to pause, think and do some reflection of our life constantly (best time is after prayers I tell ya, so you immediately ask for forgiveness too. 2 in 1!)

I must say I only became more conscious of the importance to 'shut down' after going through a life changing moment that changed my perspective about jobs and employers.. (I'll blog about that some other time). Some also refer shutting down to 'being present' wholly and not just physically. This balance, to totally enjoy after work hours and weekends has now become very important to me and I am bothered when I can't have it (though I admit I still can do better to balance between 'me' time and everything else during these leisure hours..those celebrity and personal shopper IGs are hard to ignore!) 

some of whom and what I shut down for 

I still haven't perfected 'shutting down'. Especially when, as I walk into my house, I get an email that seems to have had 200 discussion trails and 80 people in the list (ok I am exaggerating but you get the point). Those things bother me. Stop discussing it and start doing something about it already will you!! In those situations, I would still be glued to my email at home until the matter is resolved completely, ignoring the people and everything around me. Whilst I am grateful for understanding husband, children and family, I know I should not take it for granted.

Ok time stop blogging and be a good wife now.... (I know my husband reads this) 

Have a good weekend folks!