Societal structures requires that it's makeup not only comprises of businessmen. But also of other sociological roles such as admin people, political leaders, thinkers, philosophers, artisans, craftsmen and artists!
Somehow, having observed the trend, I believe our people falls into the last 3 categories.
And I think, in order to combat povery amongst our people, we need now to find our specific niche in this global marketplace of ours, hone that niche to perfection and make it viable to the rest of the world. Once we find such, it will be our identity -and legacy we leave behind.
To date the best candidate for such is our communication skills par excellence. The other is our ability to weather political storms after storms that befall the country.
Perhaps other people can learn a thing or two how to survive in a society plagued with abhorrently inefficient political leaders making political surgery to our incurably ill institution. Sorry for the strong words, just my personal thoughts.
Solution? Leaders to run the country with exceptional commitment, extraordinary willpower, above average competence, unrelentless vision and unquestionable authority to rule the country.
Intention, interest and character above all matters too. It will be an added bonus if that person is a Christ-fearing and Christ-abiding being!
Monday, April 30, 2007
DNA for Business
I admire the Chinese and the Jews. There are beautiful and excellent traits they have in common. For one, both are exemplary and unusually astute businessmen, highy respected and immaculately proud of their culture. Not to mention, their business acumen are simply remarkable!
Everywhere you go, the control of economy is somehow underpinned and hinges on the wealth they have created. From Seattle to Saigon, they are dominant in their business dealings.
It is not incidental that both groups of people are also the most hardworking of all. Well, its biblical to begin with - Lazy hands makes a man poor - diligent hands make him rich...
Call it a DNA, but I believe the secret to their success is the hardwired motivation for wealth creation, cultivated since childhood.
Time and time again, their ancestors speak of success being 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. A brilliant engr. named Thomas Edison espoused such idea long ago and such idea hasn't waned a bit.
Hence, given the right environment to flourish, I believe all people are capable to such wealth creation.
I don't know about you but if I were to possess such passion and drive in business, think about the laborious process one has to undergo. Think hard and make sure one has the extreme enthusiasm to put in loong hours without any waning of interest.
As one passage puts it - if you have enthusiasm for 30 minutes, fine - 30 days, great - 30 years - success!!
Think about it!!
Everywhere you go, the control of economy is somehow underpinned and hinges on the wealth they have created. From Seattle to Saigon, they are dominant in their business dealings.
It is not incidental that both groups of people are also the most hardworking of all. Well, its biblical to begin with - Lazy hands makes a man poor - diligent hands make him rich...
Call it a DNA, but I believe the secret to their success is the hardwired motivation for wealth creation, cultivated since childhood.
Time and time again, their ancestors speak of success being 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. A brilliant engr. named Thomas Edison espoused such idea long ago and such idea hasn't waned a bit.
Hence, given the right environment to flourish, I believe all people are capable to such wealth creation.
I don't know about you but if I were to possess such passion and drive in business, think about the laborious process one has to undergo. Think hard and make sure one has the extreme enthusiasm to put in loong hours without any waning of interest.
As one passage puts it - if you have enthusiasm for 30 minutes, fine - 30 days, great - 30 years - success!!
Think about it!!
Of Retreat and Re-treat
A follow up leadership retreat sponsored by our local religious affiliation is around the corner. As I reflect back on various aspects of the previous one (a) whether objectives have been met (2) whether leaders come out of the experience more equipped and more passionate to inspire others, 2 challenges came to mind. I thought it best to share with you-
Challenges are:
1. We were asked to think of the very first individual who has introduced us to the faith.
2. We were asked to create an environment to attract more newcomers and new believers in the faith to flock and hence experience the savior's saving grace.
By the goodness of the Lord, I have completed both challenges! First of all, I have written to the person who shared with me the Christian doctrine! Boy, and he was ecstatic!! We touchbase after 13 years of separation (since High school). I'm equally delighted to find out he is likewise passionately running the race he started decades ago. God is GREAT!
Second, over the last 2 months, i have followed up with organizing sports activities on weekends specifically designed to attract newcomers.
But, my bigger questions and personal challenge I set forth are:
1. Have I inspired my co-leaders to do the same?
2. Have I encouraged my co-leaders to take the same path?
3. Have I treated my co-leaders with the same passion I hold and energize them to initiate the same?
Until I have satisfactorily answered 1, 2 and 3, I think my role as leader of leaders hasn't been fully utilized. I am again asking for my Savior to grant me the desires of my heart and press on!
Challenges are:
1. We were asked to think of the very first individual who has introduced us to the faith.
2. We were asked to create an environment to attract more newcomers and new believers in the faith to flock and hence experience the savior's saving grace.
By the goodness of the Lord, I have completed both challenges! First of all, I have written to the person who shared with me the Christian doctrine! Boy, and he was ecstatic!! We touchbase after 13 years of separation (since High school). I'm equally delighted to find out he is likewise passionately running the race he started decades ago. God is GREAT!
Second, over the last 2 months, i have followed up with organizing sports activities on weekends specifically designed to attract newcomers.
But, my bigger questions and personal challenge I set forth are:
1. Have I inspired my co-leaders to do the same?
2. Have I encouraged my co-leaders to take the same path?
3. Have I treated my co-leaders with the same passion I hold and energize them to initiate the same?
Until I have satisfactorily answered 1, 2 and 3, I think my role as leader of leaders hasn't been fully utilized. I am again asking for my Savior to grant me the desires of my heart and press on!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Faith and Reason
Somehow, I just couldn't get enough of Dr. Chao's speech! I quote what he said " Faith is leaping into the Light".Here's why..
Often, most christians believe reason and faith is like oil and water. They don't go together. However he (Dr. chao ) said that "faith is seeing BEYOND reason." Faith takes over when a phenomenon could no longer reach the farthest and deepest of logical reason. Faith in fact is leaping into THE LIGHT!! The "I don't know" answer is NOT the same as " There are NO answers" he elaborated.
To end, it's biblical also. Jesus said in Matthew 13;13, "this is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Now, do you have faith?
Often, most christians believe reason and faith is like oil and water. They don't go together. However he (Dr. chao ) said that "faith is seeing BEYOND reason." Faith takes over when a phenomenon could no longer reach the farthest and deepest of logical reason. Faith in fact is leaping into THE LIGHT!! The "I don't know" answer is NOT the same as " There are NO answers" he elaborated.
To end, it's biblical also. Jesus said in Matthew 13;13, "this is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Now, do you have faith?
Authentic Leadership
I learned 5 principles of Authentic Ministry Leadership from Dr. Peter Chao. According to him, aspiring ministry leaders should possess or at least strive hard to build 5 character traits namely:
1. Authority: In order to have the authority, one must be competent and capable. You are only able to wield such authority if you have demonstrated skillfully your wares in solving problems and offering solutions to pressing issues.
2. Trust: the tricky part. If you need to be trusted by your followers you need to be capable and has shown consistent track record thru your past achievements. Similar to a good doctor diagnosing your condition or a skiled pilot manuevering the airplane you're riding on.
3. Integrity: A leader should not have duplicity in character. Cultivate what you see is what you get trait. Genuine. No phonyness. Authentic. If there are, strive to eliminate those rough edges until you're a well polished gem. A diamond is a diamond by cutting rough edges.
4. Commitment: This entails discipline. Show up. Lead by example. Energize and inspire by being early on everything you do.
5. Hard Work : Walk your talk. When all things are said and done - DO SOMETHING!
To end, I like the verses He quoted. One of my all time favorites 1 Cor 24-29 and 1Timothy 3:1. Now it's APPLICATION TIME!!! Gotta go!
1. Authority: In order to have the authority, one must be competent and capable. You are only able to wield such authority if you have demonstrated skillfully your wares in solving problems and offering solutions to pressing issues.
2. Trust: the tricky part. If you need to be trusted by your followers you need to be capable and has shown consistent track record thru your past achievements. Similar to a good doctor diagnosing your condition or a skiled pilot manuevering the airplane you're riding on.
3. Integrity: A leader should not have duplicity in character. Cultivate what you see is what you get trait. Genuine. No phonyness. Authentic. If there are, strive to eliminate those rough edges until you're a well polished gem. A diamond is a diamond by cutting rough edges.
4. Commitment: This entails discipline. Show up. Lead by example. Energize and inspire by being early on everything you do.
5. Hard Work : Walk your talk. When all things are said and done - DO SOMETHING!
To end, I like the verses He quoted. One of my all time favorites 1 Cor 24-29 and 1Timothy 3:1. Now it's APPLICATION TIME!!! Gotta go!
Quick to Trumpet - Slow to change
Why oh why??
People from my indigenous racial ties have the tendency for quickness in associating ties with international personalities.
The sad thing is back home, (and probably elsewhere??) my people continue to possess so called "crab mentality'. This is the phenomenon where people pull each other down in times of achievements instead of pushing each other up.
The good news is, we also tend to thrive and achieve remarkable accomplishments when we are in an environment full of oppression, discrimination and tyranny. Paradox to say the least.
Again, this is my observation and does not represent the sentiment of the general majority.
Does this mean we need to cultivate such an environment (oppression, tyranny and discrimination) in our own homes in order for people to step up and achieve unprecedented heights???
Food for thought!
People from my indigenous racial ties have the tendency for quickness in associating ties with international personalities.
The sad thing is back home, (and probably elsewhere??) my people continue to possess so called "crab mentality'. This is the phenomenon where people pull each other down in times of achievements instead of pushing each other up.
The good news is, we also tend to thrive and achieve remarkable accomplishments when we are in an environment full of oppression, discrimination and tyranny. Paradox to say the least.
Again, this is my observation and does not represent the sentiment of the general majority.
Does this mean we need to cultivate such an environment (oppression, tyranny and discrimination) in our own homes in order for people to step up and achieve unprecedented heights???
Food for thought!
Visual and Vocal
A career enhancement article trumpets this title. People are essentially drawn to presenters who can command a presence with their visual and vocal skills.
Ponder.
Ponder.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Success Secrets
Great ideas to start taking control of your life, be a winner and live fruitfully.
1) I will not say yes to everything people ask of me because it takes away from my personal growth.
2) I will accomplish these 3 things this month…come hell or high water.
3) I will read one positive or influential book each month
4) I will NOT allow others to dictate my time
5) I will begin to give myself 5-10 minutes each day to reflect and think about what my goals
6) I will NOT compromise my family or personal time for work
7) I will begin to reduce my economic debts with the goal of being debt free by ________
1) I will not say yes to everything people ask of me because it takes away from my personal growth.
2) I will accomplish these 3 things this month…come hell or high water.
3) I will read one positive or influential book each month
4) I will NOT allow others to dictate my time
5) I will begin to give myself 5-10 minutes each day to reflect and think about what my goals
6) I will NOT compromise my family or personal time for work
7) I will begin to reduce my economic debts with the goal of being debt free by ________
Friday, April 20, 2007
Manage people’s desires, not their position.
"Manage people’s desires, not their position".
Thus said Victor Gonzales. A hugely popular motivational speaker in the U.S. It is said in the context of managing change and proper management behavior. Question is -what drives people? If what drives them are the same (i.e $$), then how will we manage?
I quote Victor Gonzalez again" But let's be honest with ourselves for a second, how many times have we really tried to understand the motivation behind an employee? Many of us ask our employees; well what is it that you want to do? But here’s a secret, sometimes, if not the majority of the times, THEY don’t even know. They think they do...or is it maybe that the when they see others doing well they think it's what they want. The grass certainly looks greener."
I believe the answer falls on leadership. Effective leadership that is. Effective leaders who do the right things. (John Maxwell said: Doing things right is efficiency. While doing right things is effectiveness. Managers are efficient people while leaders are an effective lot. )
Bottomline, managers needs to strive to becoming an effective leaders. Leaders who can inspire people. Leaders who can draw their followers to share the same vision and values for the betterment of the organization. Because at the end of the day, people want to led, not managed!
Food for thought...
Thus said Victor Gonzales. A hugely popular motivational speaker in the U.S. It is said in the context of managing change and proper management behavior. Question is -what drives people? If what drives them are the same (i.e $$), then how will we manage?
I quote Victor Gonzalez again" But let's be honest with ourselves for a second, how many times have we really tried to understand the motivation behind an employee? Many of us ask our employees; well what is it that you want to do? But here’s a secret, sometimes, if not the majority of the times, THEY don’t even know. They think they do...or is it maybe that the when they see others doing well they think it's what they want. The grass certainly looks greener."
I believe the answer falls on leadership. Effective leadership that is. Effective leaders who do the right things. (John Maxwell said: Doing things right is efficiency. While doing right things is effectiveness. Managers are efficient people while leaders are an effective lot. )
Bottomline, managers needs to strive to becoming an effective leaders. Leaders who can inspire people. Leaders who can draw their followers to share the same vision and values for the betterment of the organization. Because at the end of the day, people want to led, not managed!
Food for thought...
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Leadership is Action - Not Position
Often, people aspire to lead. Only to end up disgrunted when they start to perspire to lead.
- Mark Boado-
- Mark Boado-
Deprivation vs Abundance
I can't exactly remember wheter I heard or read a passage which said " problem today is not so much rootcaused on deprivation but in abundance".
Wars have been started due to abundance of natural resources (oil, minerals) of one country over the other. Territorial conflicts have been ignited also because of abundance of land.
Question now is: Depending on which side of the fence you are, I think at the end of the day, for who's benefit is it anyway - the greater mass or the handful rich?
Wars have been started due to abundance of natural resources (oil, minerals) of one country over the other. Territorial conflicts have been ignited also because of abundance of land.
Question now is: Depending on which side of the fence you are, I think at the end of the day, for who's benefit is it anyway - the greater mass or the handful rich?
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Anniversary
In a few more days and I will celebrate 1 year of blogging. Hooray! Looking back, here's what I have learned on this newage self-publishing called blogging:
1. Stories are aplenty. But time is not. Hence, penning your thoughts is hardly a walk in the park.
2. Writing becomes a tough nut to crack. Especially when you're caught battling with conflicting priorites.
3. Reason for writing. Without which, even the mightiest swordsmith will find difficulty composing his thoughts online.
4. Passion. The keyword of all.
I salute those people who have endured many years of blogging.
1. Stories are aplenty. But time is not. Hence, penning your thoughts is hardly a walk in the park.
2. Writing becomes a tough nut to crack. Especially when you're caught battling with conflicting priorites.
3. Reason for writing. Without which, even the mightiest swordsmith will find difficulty composing his thoughts online.
4. Passion. The keyword of all.
I salute those people who have endured many years of blogging.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)