Sunday Blues - Injured and Aching

I was feeling moody and tired from all that activity in the week until Kong shared with me this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Ephp%3Fref%3Dhome&feature=player_embedded

This brigthened up my day somehow.

Leadership Essentials

I spent the last 3 days undergoing this course which i found to be really useful. Being the youngest of the lot, I have learnt a lot about myself and from others through sharing, experimenting and role-playing.

Though I do not have direct reports unlike most others in the course, I have 15 indirect reports consisting of the in-country risk managers. It has been difficult to influence them as they are more senior and more experienced than I am. Besides, I do not have power over them in deciding their job scope, workload and bonuses.

One of the more common mistakes managers fall prey when delegating is that they forget to provide the reasons for the task assign. With the big picture in mind, the staff will find meaning in performing the assignment, leading to greater motivation and productivity.

Basically, there are 6 ways of influencing others

• Reciprocation
• Commitment and Consistency
• Social Proof
• Authority
• Liking
• Scarcity

I find myself using the technique of reciprocation mostly, followed by liking, then Commitment and Consistency. I treat my team with care, consciously making time for them in attending their queries, always standing by them offering assistance whenever possible. I am doing alright so far. However, I feel that to become a more effective leader, I will need to learn how to successfully influence people using the 6 ways above rather than relying on the same few techniques.

My challenge is that I need to know the business in each country really well. This, I find it extremely difficult given the workload that I have. Preparing all sorts of MIS Reports and following up with risk issues takes up quite a bit of time. Against this, I have to complete the global uploads to make it in time for the rollout by the end of month.

I am going to start applying the rock, pebbles, sand perspective when I go to work tomorrow which will set the right priorities for me. Hopefully, it will lead to massive improvement in my productivity.

Happy Ending

I'm a free bird. No more disappointments and headaches. Woots!

Life is still good as we're both still friends. :)

Break Up

I finally broke up after withholding for so long ...

I hope things will get better.

True love

I have Chinese music blasting in the background as I write this. Though I don’t know the songs, it’s so melodic and heart spoken, makes me think about love.

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrong doing. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres." --1 Corinthians 13

I know what I have with Dan is not...

David and Gina's Wedding

Yesterday was the big day for David and Gina. I remembered her gushing about him every week in church before they got together 3.5 years ago. I can’t believe how time has flies. Since then, each time we meet as group, they never fail to be radiating with happiness. They really looked their best in everyway and most importantly as one. I almost cried for Gina and David during solemnization as they pledging their love before God. It’s an amazing feeling I can’t describe. I am just so happy for them.

Above you see one precious group picture of us… it’s seems like our group is getting bigger. :)

Post CFA

I am so tired… I wanted to blog after my cfa paper but I was always carried away by something else more exciting. This is especially so since now that Daniel is back, I rather talk to him than write my blog. I seriously hope that I’ll pass as I have been putting so much effort into studying for it. Failing it and having to study for the next 6 months would be a suicidal. I try to remind myself that I have FRM and RMI courses coming up. I am just too lazy to start.

I have been working my ass off after cfa and have recently completed the integration of reports from 3 systems within a week which I am very proud of.

I have started to work out intensively at True Fitness. Instead of losing weight, my weight seems to be increasing after, not sure if it’s due to water retention or new formed muscles.

I just went to Chapter 2 today – pretty decent I would say. It’s one of the first few times that I am actually happy with the results. I cut and dyed my hair copper, all just in time for Gina’s wedding. Ah… so happy for her that she’s found someone so perfect for her. Can’t wait for the actual day!