Previously, I spoke about change management from a bystander's point of view in my previous organisation.
In this organisation, I am a change agent. Trust me, you can never be graded for emotional management.
To me, change management = emotional management. If you can manage the emotions of the people, then you have aced the "module", if not, good luck!
Today, my colleague and I went into a room filled with boiling-blooded creatures. I don't know, I thought hot was an understatement, hence boiling should be more apt. It started off like any other briefing, it reached the middle with spices & even more spicy spices, and ended off chao tar.
There was the cynical, the critic, the conventionalist, the contortionist, the case-builder, oh man, but thank God, there were some compassionates. For the time I was in there, I really just had eyes on one person, the cynical one, and I really felt like walking over to strangle him. And of all things, we were in the same colour shade - purple. Gosh.
As my colleague and I walked out of the room, all I could think of was. If only we had this filmed down, perhaps, my appraisal for FY 07 will have more compassionate points to add. It was also the perfect video for a change management consultant to use, captioned - 10 things you should never do as a change agent.
It was a good experience. Good, perhaps, an understatement? As that visa advert goes. Salary -peanuts. The experience earned - Priceless....
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bittersweet
First, I shall start with the bitter.
Someone close to me was accused of something that could not be proven. Really felt for her. I guess, if there's one thing that I cannot tolerate is that of being given a tag that I shouldn't have "earned". It made me realize how difficult it is to be wronged. It made me realized how He was totally wronged, yet still see beyond that, for a purpose greater than His own pride, and status.
It was a very angsty day yesterday. It still is today, as I met her in the morning. Hopefully, things will get better as she cools down, and sees beyond as well. It made me sit up, and reflect more about my purpose in this place as well.
Now the sweet. One of my colleagues came to church last sunday. A personal breakthrough. Had been asking God over time that though I seem to keep sharing His word, and love, but then, why is there not much progress, not much fruitfulness? He gave me some encouragement through this colleague last week. She's a new friend I made, and also one I am beginning to know better and find that we can "click", even though she's six years junior.
I'm looking forward to having more of His presence at work, be it through me or others. Yet, I wish to be a vessel of love for Him. That's one of my purpose in this place.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Facets About Taipei
I guess, I won't do justice to my trip if I don't talk more about the interesting things in this bustling city of Taipei. Some after-trip thoughts about the culture, architecture and idiosyncrasies.
Before I begin, I think, I should add a disclaimer - The below are merely what I observed in Taipei. It is not a full representative of the place.
1. The toilet cisterns do not take in toilet paper, tissue paper and whatever rubbish. Perhaps, the pipes underground are too small, or too fragile? Mainly, though, I believe that they are just very environmentally friendly.
2. Recycle bins for various objects are all over the place, and rubbish bins are labelled if they are for every kind of junk, or specific junk. Yep, they are quite organised. And, they seem to use those recycle bins quite seriously!
3. People are very colourful in their dressing. They don't seem to like plain colours. There must be stripes, dots, etc of some sort.
4. They speak mainly mandarin, hokkien, hakka and minnanese. The MRT train announcements also revolve around this few dialects.
5. They speak American - accented English a la mei yu.
6. They seem to love to read. Chen pin bookstore cum departmental stores are all over the place.
7. Quite a number of mountains.
8. Sales people have saccharine sweet and persuasive antics. Customer service is definitely very good. (which i find surprising, thought it was just towards tourists)
9. Buildings are rather old, to the extent of dilapidated. Cost of living is low. Salary is also low. Minimum income for a gold credit card is approx S$9K per annum (vis a vis S'pore)
10. The only acceptable coffee you can find is at cafes such as Starbucks, Dante's Coffee and those NT35 coffee stalls....the rest, CMI! Boo hoo hoo....
11. Shilin night market is any girl's paradise. Wufenpu wholesale market, provided you buy in bulk.
12. Those with a penchance for sweet stuff and fruits will find this place heavenly. They give you extra topping for milk for your ice shavings.
13. Snacks galore, food galore and nuff said. Just eat!
14. If you are in a hurry, forget about the lifts at the MRT stations....walk is faster. Even the cleaning auntie told us to walk "kah ging". =p
That should be the main points...till I think of more...
Before I begin, I think, I should add a disclaimer - The below are merely what I observed in Taipei. It is not a full representative of the place.
1. The toilet cisterns do not take in toilet paper, tissue paper and whatever rubbish. Perhaps, the pipes underground are too small, or too fragile? Mainly, though, I believe that they are just very environmentally friendly.
2. Recycle bins for various objects are all over the place, and rubbish bins are labelled if they are for every kind of junk, or specific junk. Yep, they are quite organised. And, they seem to use those recycle bins quite seriously!
3. People are very colourful in their dressing. They don't seem to like plain colours. There must be stripes, dots, etc of some sort.
4. They speak mainly mandarin, hokkien, hakka and minnanese. The MRT train announcements also revolve around this few dialects.
5. They speak American - accented English a la mei yu.
6. They seem to love to read. Chen pin bookstore cum departmental stores are all over the place.
7. Quite a number of mountains.
8. Sales people have saccharine sweet and persuasive antics. Customer service is definitely very good. (which i find surprising, thought it was just towards tourists)
9. Buildings are rather old, to the extent of dilapidated. Cost of living is low. Salary is also low. Minimum income for a gold credit card is approx S$9K per annum (vis a vis S'pore)
10. The only acceptable coffee you can find is at cafes such as Starbucks, Dante's Coffee and those NT35 coffee stalls....the rest, CMI! Boo hoo hoo....
11. Shilin night market is any girl's paradise. Wufenpu wholesale market, provided you buy in bulk.
12. Those with a penchance for sweet stuff and fruits will find this place heavenly. They give you extra topping for milk for your ice shavings.
13. Snacks galore, food galore and nuff said. Just eat!
14. If you are in a hurry, forget about the lifts at the MRT stations....walk is faster. Even the cleaning auntie told us to walk "kah ging". =p
That should be the main points...till I think of more...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Refreshed, Renewed, Recharged
I am just back from my holiday. Six days of getaway. One which gave me an injection of new energy for the upcoming months ahead.
Taipei - beautiful place, friendly people, environmentally friendly, delectable delights, breath-taking views, weather to die for. Sounds like I should just move over there, right? On hindsight, perhaps, it's because I am only there 6 days, so everything looks nice? Ha ha..
As I am typing this, am really thinking, what should I write about? The experiences that I had at each destination I went? The description of the things I did, felt and enjoyed? The bottom line is - the trip's really satisfying. A time for me to smell the flowers, feel myself walking, breathing, thinking. Seriously, when I slow down, I realize that walking is something to give thanks for too.
Many interesting and quirky things happened in Taipei, which I believe my travel buddies will also agree with me. A number of firsts, in this trip, including places which were not on our itinerary, and happenings that never thought would occur. Then again, all the experiences lived up to the plan that we had - free and easy. It was a myriad of experiences and feelings.
Through the time in Taipei, one thing that came to my mind most was this. How you want something to be like, how you want your mood to be like, how you hope to see something - it is a decision to make at each point.
As I marvelled at God's creation of nature, the culture of the place, the lifestyle of the people, many things ran through my mind. The differences are rampant. The geographic location is different. The systems are different. One can keep focusing on differences, or find the binding point that brings people, things and faith together. Which one do I want to look at?
It was a fruitful trip. All the way.
Oh, and this I must add. We bought enough shoes, bags, clothes, pastries and instant cup noodles to probably open a store at the pasar malam!
Enjoy the photos on flickr. (=
Taipei - beautiful place, friendly people, environmentally friendly, delectable delights, breath-taking views, weather to die for. Sounds like I should just move over there, right? On hindsight, perhaps, it's because I am only there 6 days, so everything looks nice? Ha ha..
As I am typing this, am really thinking, what should I write about? The experiences that I had at each destination I went? The description of the things I did, felt and enjoyed? The bottom line is - the trip's really satisfying. A time for me to smell the flowers, feel myself walking, breathing, thinking. Seriously, when I slow down, I realize that walking is something to give thanks for too.
Many interesting and quirky things happened in Taipei, which I believe my travel buddies will also agree with me. A number of firsts, in this trip, including places which were not on our itinerary, and happenings that never thought would occur. Then again, all the experiences lived up to the plan that we had - free and easy. It was a myriad of experiences and feelings.
Through the time in Taipei, one thing that came to my mind most was this. How you want something to be like, how you want your mood to be like, how you hope to see something - it is a decision to make at each point.
As I marvelled at God's creation of nature, the culture of the place, the lifestyle of the people, many things ran through my mind. The differences are rampant. The geographic location is different. The systems are different. One can keep focusing on differences, or find the binding point that brings people, things and faith together. Which one do I want to look at?
It was a fruitful trip. All the way.
Oh, and this I must add. We bought enough shoes, bags, clothes, pastries and instant cup noodles to probably open a store at the pasar malam!
Enjoy the photos on flickr. (=
Thursday, May 3, 2007
FareWell
"do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can,
at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can....."
This was the farewell quote that a particular Dep Dir sent to all the staff in my company. I was rather amazed by it, and I believe, many others too.
The above quote, can be shown forth in his life. Anyone who knows him, knows that he has somewhat described what he lives for. The man who walks the talk. The above quote, describes how he treats people around him, how he lives his life. For the 11 years that he has been in this organisation, he left a great impression and impact in this place, and the people.
For my department, who used to be led by him, tears were shed, and many memories were talked about regarding this man. He is a man whom I had come to know briefly this period of time, and I can just say that he is a man who puts a few "F"s first in his life. Faith, Family and Friends.
You don't meet such people often. But when you do meet one, your life's changed, just merely being around him.
at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can....."
This was the farewell quote that a particular Dep Dir sent to all the staff in my company. I was rather amazed by it, and I believe, many others too.
The above quote, can be shown forth in his life. Anyone who knows him, knows that he has somewhat described what he lives for. The man who walks the talk. The above quote, describes how he treats people around him, how he lives his life. For the 11 years that he has been in this organisation, he left a great impression and impact in this place, and the people.
For my department, who used to be led by him, tears were shed, and many memories were talked about regarding this man. He is a man whom I had come to know briefly this period of time, and I can just say that he is a man who puts a few "F"s first in his life. Faith, Family and Friends.
You don't meet such people often. But when you do meet one, your life's changed, just merely being around him.
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