CHANGE FOR BETTER....

Today many of us take life for granted.  This is especially true of those holding good jobs, and are rich and with families to return home to every day.

Even when things are not going well, they choose to ignore advice.  Power goes to their heads and they become egoists.

An egoistic person will use words like these: “I did this, I’m in charge.”

Well ego, anger is initiated and we get angry about minute details because of inner turbulence and conflicts.

Scenes are created and we lose our balance, peace and happiness. We begin to enforce authority and law blindly resulting in more tension and clashes.

In almost every office today, there are one or two difficult person.  They cannot get along with others or agree on certain issues.

They send rude emails and create a lot of chaos.  Some efficient people there suffer because of them. (This is based on my interaction with people.)

Are you ready to change? If not now, then when?  Are you waiting for the drums to beat? It may be too late.

Remember, this is the time to change.

Are you ready to challenge your beliefs?  It is not other people, or the systems that keep you locked in stressful patterns of thoughts and behaviour.  It is your beliefs.

Change your beliefs, politics or science, all there authorities are in extreme upheaval today.

Even science is now not able to make the matter function accurately.

Today, science is at its peak and has given us a lot of comfort, yet it cannot control matter.

At such a time, only the power of silence will work.

When we remain quiet and align our thoughts with God, we can sow the seeds of peace and give strength and comfort to many who are in pain.

Article by Bridget Menerez in the sun, april 2 ’12.

Today I would like to relate a story of my experience dealing with difficult person in the office. Way back in mid '90's, I was just promoted and transferred to this department in another district.  My predecessor briefted about the staffs’s performance. There was this one ‘stubborn’ staff who would go all out to make things difficult for you. Had been given too many warning letters of his behaviour but none improved. Due to that, he was sidelined from the rest of the staffs. It was as though he didn’t exist in that office. He would came in and go as he pleased. He was always being sneered at – being called bank manager (for coming late). Never attended our 15 min once a month gathering with the director.  I was asked to follow-up with the warning letters. 

To deal with this kind of character in the office was a real pain in the neck. The more warning letters issued, the more he would retaliate and it will be   irritating.  So I have to put this warning letters aside and think of other ways. I had a serious talk with him of his problems and we agreed to meet  halfway.

I was just promoted and need a good start in my work.   A real challenge and I put this as a test of my leadership.  First step that I took was to learn his  job. I understudied his job and that needed a lot of interaction  with him.  I noticed that there was this backlog of the 3-year work that was not done by the staff before.  We discussed on how to clear this backlog and he was willing to help.  He started to show his trust in me and that was a good start. One day to everyone’s surprise, he attended the monthly gathering for the 1^st time. That was improvement indeed. 

I noticed that in our staff meeting, he gave good opinions.  It was just that nobody wanted to hear him out.  In fact, he managed to clear the 3-year backlog and he did a good job out of it.  And I know that I have won his confidence.  

I transfered him to another unit and he just refused to acknowledge the supervision of that unit.  He insisted that he would only take work instruction from me and no one else. Another problem that I have to deal with. 

Then came the football season of that district.  He was a very good midfield player and the department needed him. He obliged to play and...guess what? I was selected as the team manager. I think it was his doing. Another additional job that I have to do - taking care of the team, being at the field early for the morning game and waiting for the game to end the evening.  I was the only female manager in the competition. It was really time-consuming, but I did it to build his confidence.

Later on I was transferred back to Johor Bahru and I heard that he later resigned to do his ‘pasar malam’ business.  

Well  Zul, wherever you are now, I hope that you have a good life and enjoy with whatever you are doing.    It was indeed nice having you in my team and I for one believed that you have turned a better person than when I first met you.  You gave me an early challenge to my leadership experience, that I use as a guide should the situation occur again. And I bet you..it happened  quiet a number of times after that.