The True Leader

I read a book many years ago, it was a book on profiles of successful Amway distributors. This was in the mid-90s when I was actively conducting that business.

The book started with a phrase: the truest measurement of success of a leader is who he brings with him.

I recall that phrase now, as I am faced with a situation where a colleague of mine has recently been a victim of the exact opposite of the phrase mentioned above. Although this person has accepted the 'defeat' graciously, I still think that the 'leader' should have done a better job in extending his full self in terms of energy, efforts, and more importantly, the heart, to ensure that this person succeeds.

Yes, this person has numerous short-comings. However, a true leader will work to identify various traits of those in his lead, strengthen all positives attributes and nurture traits of success.

I am saddened that this has happened. I am not able to do anything at this moment for this person, however, will offer my strong shoulders and a listening heart to understand more.

It is essential, that if you are in a position of leadership: a parent, a teacher, an up-line, a manager, a supervisor or a CEO, or even a political leader, that we realize that the truest measurement of a leader is who he brings with him to succeed equally. Then the achievement becomes more fun and meaningful. Not to mention loyalty attained in the process.

Thinking on a lazy Saturday

I have been thinking after reading an excerpt from a book yesterday, the difference between having knowledge and understanding.

There are many instances where I have been caught short as a result of thinking that it too rigid (having knowledge) as opposed to fluidity in decisions and action (after understanding).

I am unsure if you get my drift here, but this is an area where I am seeking more understanding myself so I can better express myself to my team members. As importantly, enabling and empowering myself as well as my team members to the next level.

The lowest common denominators are as follows:

Making common sense into common practice - whereby an action or a decision is taken to benefit most people without having to wait for instructions or validation.

Another one is, as simply explained by futuristic architect, the late R. Buckminster Fuller (fondly known as Bucky Fuller among student of the Excellerated Business Schools) is the law of precession where if you see the need to do something, and even if no one else sees the need, then you take action anyway. This is vehicle to reaching the highest good to serve others, be they human, animals or environment.

It's going to be an exciting journey for me and my team members.... this is beyond what they would expect from their business relationships with me, but then, this is something that I see the need even if they don't yet. I am serving to achieve my highest good.

Thinking on a lazy Saturday is good!

The wonderful phone call

Some days are often better than others.

Yesterday was one better day where I received a phone call from a new member in one of the referral groups I am leading.

He said: 'Riyaz, I am not sure if I have done the right thing'.

'What's going on?' I enquired.

'Is it okay if I invite my company secretary and accountant firm manager to visit our group tomorrow? Will it cause the present member (who is the accountant) to get upset?'

'Not at all, in fact it will be a good networking experience for your accountant friend'.

'Yes, that's what I was thinking, he could be a customer to some of our members there. That was the plan, and I called you to enquire if this is okay'.

And then we spent a few minutes conversing on various matters.

More importantly, I was so pleased and impressed with this person's initiatives.

So, I consider this as the wonderful phone call for the day.

Ching-ching continues - always pay yourself first

Tomorrow, I'll be paying myself.

I should have done it on Friday last week, but was caught short on time. So, Monday it is.

I have to pay myself first. And so should you. Pay yourself first.

Tomorrow, I shall be visiting my bank and adding to my investment account, which holds my Financial Freedom Account. Like all previous time, as soon as the transaction is completed, I'll say it aloud 'Ching-ching!' although it is to the amusement of the officer and other customers.

Hey, when you add to your Financial Freedom Account, it's time to celebrate! And what better way than to do so with a loud sound of 'Ching-ching!!'.

And then I will also add to my Long Term Saving for Spending (LTTS) account. This account holds money for things big-ticket items I desire such as a new flat-screen TV in time for next year's FIFA 2010 World Cup, a new lazy chair to sit on while watching Mishal Husain on BBC, and even a new ergonomic spine friendly chair that I use to work.

Ching-ching!!

And I will also add a deposit to my Education account. Thus, I will have monies available when I intend to buy new titles of books, or travel for a conference abroad. Birmingham is calling me in 2010 for a European BNI Directors Conference, a space I really learn new distinctions for my BNI business.

I discovered that cutting out this money pizza is a discipline. Something done deliberately. At every moment money comes in for whatever purpose: salaries, commissions, windfalls, profits.

This round of deposits I am making is from monies derived from my sales commissions and from profits from sale of books.

No amount is too big or too small. What's important is the habit.

I am cutting my money pizza, and it's fun. I see a bright future for myself. I hope to see you bright in my bright future.

What time do you start work?

Sounds like a trick question, but it's not.

I was speaking to a group of business people at a networking meeting this morning.

Because it was raining, many were either late or didn't attend at all.

I explained to all that, say for example, you have a potential client who want to meet you at 3pm today. What time would you be at this meeting this client? Almost all answered slightly earlier than 3pm.

Exactly right!

If it was raining, or if your car was blocked by an idiot who double parked (this happened to me sometime back), what would you do?

All answered that they would get there anyhow, and in the event of their car being blocked, even take a cab to the client meeting.

Why? Because it is work.

Then I explained that in a networking environment, it is no different from work.

Networking is work. Literally, the word Network is Net-WORK.

So when networking, get there on time or earlier to assist where you can.

Today, many people discovered that at least one day in a week, you start work at 6am!

Influenza A (H1N1) only spreads during office hours

It was reported on Malaysia Kini news portal that so far, 26 deaths were reported owing to H1N1, with the last 8 deaths within the past 24 hours itself. An upward spiral in numbers.

Now here's my part of the story:

I was away to Hat Yai for a short R&R trip, for some shopping and a long train ride, something I enjoy very much.

On the return journey, our train was scheduled to leave Hat Yai at 2.20pm local time, or 3.20pm Malaysian time (we are an hour ahead). The journey from Hat Yai to Padang Besar (our side of the border) where the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) is located takes about 55 minutes.

Importantly, as part of Influenza A (H1N1) control, we were given forms to be filled out, and be screened by our local health officers at the border on arrival, and be given health advise briefing, etc.

But then the Thai State Railway were out of locomotives so our journey was delayed by 2-hours! Which means that we left Hat Yai at 4.40pm local time and yes, you worked it out by now, 5.40pm Malaysian time. The Thai locomotive that eventually pulled us to Padang Besar did speed up and I believe we arrived Padang Besar in 40-minutes. So we arrived at 6.20pm Malaysian time to Padang Besar.

In a similar trip made in 2003, when the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare was in force, the first order of business on arrival at Hat Yai was health screening.

But this time, we were told to clear immigration first: yes get that passport stamped and officially leave Thailand. Then proceed to the Malaysian immigration counter to check-back into Malaysia.

Alright, so when was the H1N1 screening was going to take place?

You think it was the next order of business, right? Wrong!

Straight to Royal Customs and as usual the custom officers were pretty jolly in asking us boisterously, 'Can you please open your bags?'

To which I asked: Do we get screened for H1N1 now?

The reply from the jolly officer was very animated: 'Oh, ko punya train mai lambat, depa dah balik dah!'

Yes, the 'pegawai kesihatan' went back because the train was delayed.

I asked in jest: 'Kenapa Kastam tak balik dulu, tau-tau lah dah lambat ni?'

And then came in the reply I already expected: 'Kita dah biasa dah kerja sampai lewat. Itu orang klinik tak biasa, kot?'

Yes, the immigration, customs and border police were all there, albeit wearing a mask, but our health officers were not. And is it any wonder why this H1N1 thing is spreading so rapidly?

So, the morale of the story is, H1N1 only spreads during office hours, in Malaysia at least.

Working a 'To Do List' Backwards

In view of a short R&R trip I am taking this later week, there was tons of work to complete by Wednesday evening.

Therefore, yesterday early morning, I wrote out my 'To Do List' of all the work I needed to complete by Wednesday.

I must admit it was daunting at first. I was overwhelmed.

But an idea struck me:

I started doing all the work which was due only on Wednesday and worked backwards.

To my amazement, by lunch time yesterday (Monday), I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In fact by 3pm on Monday, all work for the entire week was complete!

I took the opportunity to spend some time conducting some housekeeping and even had time to spend on me Facebook!

I got it: next time when there's much to do with little time, work backwards!

Shorter week this week!

It is a short week this week for me as I have planned a short R&R trip, by train to Hat Yai. My wife wants to get some shopping done there, so, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get away for a while.

But then, the shorter time available till Wednesday, means more work is compressed into that space of time. And I need to deliver without compromising quality!

For my BNI Business:

I am due to make no lesser than 18 phone calls this morning itself. A majority of them would be to follow-through on the guests who visited Suria Chapter last Tuesday.

A few are prospecting calls. Followed by a phone conversations with the Membership Officers from Alliance and Suria.

I have some banking work for the company which needs to be done as well, and later to instruct the forms of some applicants to be processed.

For Supreme Chapter, I am chairing the meeting this week while getting as many roles in that Chapter operating as we move along. By next week, the Chapter needs to run on its own by it's own members.

For Ampang Chapter, a regular management meeting later today to sort out some issues.

Ramadan is also around the corner in August, so, I have to announce the meeting dues for members who are fasting. Gosh, another phone call to a meeting premise manager!

Lastly, to organize a Chapter growth sessions for all Chapters, and this will be done via team-phone calls. All members will be encouraged to participate to invite their contacts to their Chapters for a Visitor Day for the purpose of adding at least 6 new members.

My Business Consulting practice:

This week, I am meeting my client for the purpose of completing her company mission statement.

I will also have to send in an invoice for two on-going projects done in July. Ching-ching!!

Family:

Lots to do before I leave. This includes concluding a spring cleaning of my study room.

I can't wait to get on that train! Have to leave for the station by 6.30pm on Wednesday