Can I Do It Now ?

Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows. Michael Landon

The above just triggered some ideas. So the tip for today? Try reviewing your bucket list and see what you can do that can uplift your soul for today.

Also, continue reading, listening and watching good things to trigger good thoughts.

Do Things Out of Love

Today, I can finally say . . .

I appreciate my being a leader for the Lord is my guide. I have gained immeasurable and priceless wisdom through prayer. I have done things out of love, especially in dealing with people.

I can do everything in Christ who strengthens me.

We had our Grand High School Homecoming last weekend and had the opportunity to be together with my batch mates and teachers. Swell!

Success depends on how we personally measure it.

Disturbed?

Whenever disturbed, be it because of a decision or a confrontation with an associate, I remind myself of this:

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing make you afraid.
All things are passing.
God alone never changes.
Patience gains all things.
If you have God you will want for nothing.
God alone suffices.
~The bookmark of Teresa of Avila

Watch What You Focus on

As a leader, what do you focus on?

Whatever you focus on, think about, read about, and talk about intensely, you’re going to attract more of into your life. Jack Canfield

Feed your dreams.

I read that we should not feed our fears unless you want them to grow and overwhelm you and paralyze you.

Fill your minds with truth, fill your hearts with love, fill your lives with service. Thomas Monson

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. Philippians 4:8

Read, Then What?

I went to the bookstore the other day, this is a hobby of mine, and found an interesting book. The topic of the book is the common topic of Communication. Well, common as it is, it catches my attention without fail. I bought it right away (since it's on sale and because its about communication). I brought it home, went to my room and started reading it.

Got some enlightening points from this book "Effective Communication, The Most Important Management Skill Of All", by John Adair.

(1) The author mentioned that non-verbal communication is a natural or unconscious expression of our feelings and "one can only change non-verbal behaviour by changing the inner nature that it is expressing."

(2) John also defined what he calls the "Bore" in communication as "one who insists on monopolizing the conversation to transmit their messages, regardless of the needs or interests of their hearers". He emphasizes our lack of awareness of the importance of dialogue, "listening as well as speaking, of sharing instead of giving."

(3) "Communication creates relationships, relationships produce communication."

The book has 3 parts and I'm just at Part I, but I wanted to note down my learnings.

Faithfulness vs. Success

“God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” This I got from Mother Teresa. So just be faithful to your calling, being a supervisor, a mentor to your people.

Business Roles - On Being A Supervisor

Business Roles - On Being A Supervisor

" You think you are there to be the boss?" had this on my mind as I took on the position of a supervisor in a production line of about 12 people.

Well, I was quite wrong in my definition of my role. Knowing your role as supervisor is the first step to victory.

Here's the story on my 7 initial steps to victory.

Getting all the information about the company I wanted to work for was a plus for me. Good for me, I got to visit the site, interview the people there and ask about how the things work. Why? It was my part of my school project in College. The company I selected for a school project was also the company I wanted to work for. Step 1 is to know who you are working for, the company and its values.

When I became an employee of the said manufacturing plant, I found out that not knowing enough, "fast" was a "no, no". What kept reverberating in my mind was . . . "nakakahiya. Nakakahiya magtanong. Bago ako dito. Wala akong kakilala. Baka anong isipin nila." (I am ashamed to ask and I don't know anybody well enough. They might think little of me.) This just showed the importance of self-talk. This also mirrors my self-confidence, which was running a little low. Step 2 is to know the policies and how things are being run, the protocol, etc.

It is important to lift your self-confidence, I kept telling myself. How do you do that? Learn. Study who's who. Step 3 is to uncover who the big boss is, the one whom you should greet when you meet at the cafeteria. the medium or middle boss, your immediate superior and the little boss, the informal leader of your subordinates. Take a good peek of the "org chart". It pays to have a broad view of the reporting system.

I remember, I did not make clear some policies on workdays and pay and effective dates, thus I have no peace of my mind if I was paid correctly, or if I was given what was due me. That sucks!

I read the employee handbook, half asleep. Haba e. Anyway, that was Step 4. I need not memorize everything all at once, by letter. I can refer back to the handbook. I just have to be aware that there is such a provision about this and that.

On top of the browsing, I kept observing how things are done, listening carefully on people's way of communicating, the vocabulary and jargon used. That is Step 5, I observed.

Then, I met a co-supervisor whom I've become buddies with. She has no hang-ups with me , being the new kid in the block. She finds me of no threat to her. Try to find helpful people whom you can ask questions. Finding a good buddy is Step 6 for me.

You know what, this buddy of mine has become a good friend up to now, even if we got separated after her resignation and eventually mine. We are still good friends keeping in contact though we have not seen each other face-to-face for long while, not even in Facebook.

Watch out with stories given to you especially by subordinates. No harm in counter checking, especially negative things about co-workers. Build your own view of the situations and the people. You can check with your buddy, but have your own insights as well.

I was also fortunate to be part of the company's newsletter. I had then opportunity to interview people, another plus for me. I became a member of a productive group. I was given the excuse to be inquisitive. I get to hear different points of view.

Being new to your job or position has its good points, for you see with a pair of fresh eyes. You should be able to recommend sound suggestions on how to improve things, little by little. Not so fast lest you step on somebody's toes.

Finally, Step 7. You must know your role as a supervisor. What is expected of you? For the next 3 months and by the end of the year? What are your functions and what reports and projects do you have to submit.

I discovered too, that you must somehow be able to talk to the big boss and hear his expectations for he has a broader perspective of things.

My medium boss wants me to do a daily report. My big boss wants me to focus on improvements at the line. My subordinates just want someone to talk to and hear there pleas.

"If you are prepared, then you are able to feel confident".
Robert J. Ringer
"Confidence and courage come through preparation and practice".
Anonymous
"Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds winning".
Hubert Green

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Personel Trainer

Personel Trainer

Not a personel trainer, not even a personnel trainer but more of a personal trainer, that is the task on hand.

Do you believe messages can be sent in your dreams?

I woke up this morning with lots of thoughts in my head. I had a dream. My father who passed away in 2004, was the main character in the dream.

He was urging me to teach. In turn, I was telling him I had other plans, to engage in project-based activities. He was smiling like he was amused by my answer. He just said in a very cool way,"go and teach".

My father was an engineering professor. He was a well-loved person for he was simple, cheerful, a little talkative and an extrovert. He was also generous, though he was not rich. He gave what he can, not much but with much thoughtfulness.

I think I did not take from him, being outgoing, that is, but I used to be a trainer myself. Teaching is most probably in my blood because of him. I do love to share ideas, like in training people. I thought that liking has passed. I am currently into business.

However, deep inside me is a longing. I envision my people growing and being the best they can be. Mulling over it, I don't want to be their formal classroom trainer, I am not sure if that will work. Possibly, I can teach them in an informal manner. How do you go about it? Being stuck with this thoughts freezes me to inaction and directs me to procrastination, a bad alternative.

I was always waiting for the right time, for a full preparation, for the proper schedules, for the right person to conduct the training, for the budget, for the materials, for just about anything. If I really want this thing, what is important is to take that step towards its fulfillment. One step at a time, move towards the goal. Do anything just as long as it brings you to the direction of the goal. Good self-talk, by the way.

What I did was to have lunch with one of my supervisors. We talked about his job. I asked him how he sees his job at present, what he finds as his challenges, things he likes and doesn't like about it (sounds like a slum book question). I let him state his responsibilities and how he views himself as a member of the whole team.

You know what? Not all of his responses were direct and clear as I would expect them to be. Through time, people change and even the tasks assign to them changes. We somehow tailor fit the responsibilities being given to person based on his skills, dependability and honesty as well.

A person, who is able to accept and do certain tasks, is given even more tasks. We reduce the assignments for those who fall short of our standards. Well, possibly not for all, but in my case that was what happened to my people.

Good that we had this opportunity to clarify roles, duties and responsibilities. Sounds super basic, doesn't it?

I am thankful I did something today that I feel drew me a step to my mark. Because of this move, I have decided to talk to the rest of them this week. Kind of just repeat my discussion with this supervisor to the rest of the supervisors. Anyway, they are just a handful. I was even surprise why I did not do this earlier. Remember "the being frozen-to-inactivity" thingy?

I think I will go ahead and do some planning on the drawing board. I want to prepare a "growth road to success" for my people. No, no, stop. No super planning please. Just stick to the move of repeating the discussion with the others, right.

From what I will gather from the discussions, I can make more appropriate plans. I foresee that the probability of success can be high. Why? It is because I like what I am about to do. If I fail, then I will keep on trying. If this won't fly, then, I will just count the intangibles. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

I shall heed my father's instructions, "go and teach", and keep my fingers crossed, or clasped in prayer would be a better stance.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep.
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep.
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving,
If you keep on believing,
The dream that you wish will come true.

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're feeling small.
Alone in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all.
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you.
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow,
for all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true.

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Happiness, Defined

Supervisors or not, we are in pursue of happiness . . .

According to Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner, we have an experiencing self and a memory self.

From what I get, we define happiness based on our memory of the experience rather than the experience itself. This is something new to me and I find it really interesting.

A Winner

Four steps to achievement :
1. Plan purposefully
2. Prepare prayerfully
3. Proceed positively
4. Pursue persistently

A winner is just a dreamer who never gave up.

There is no short cut to success. It’s always toiling and striving and sweating it out and fighting the voice that rings in our head “Give up Francis, this is not getting you anywhere…” It’s refusing to give up when it seems like the effort is futile. Same thing in business, same thing in career and it’s certainly the same thing in the Christian life.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan says: "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot . . . and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Oliver Cromwell says it very well: “Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.”

Francis Kong
Success Option Publishing Co., President

Questions for Supervisors and Managers

Just listed things to ponder for leaders. Possibly, I can get responses from experienced people, little by little in the next posts.

• How to handle conflict in the workplace
• How to properly commit to a project
• How does one end up being a supervisor
• What is the most important responsibility of a supervisor
• What qualities are needed to succeed as a supervisor
• What motivates supervisors
• How do you handle a supervisor with a personal problem affecting the work
• What is a good manager
• What can help a supervisor do his job well
• Who is the usual role model of a supervisor
  
• How are regular long meetings viewed by a supervisor
  
• Given a chance, what department does a supervisor want to work for
• What system needs improvement in the company
• What training is considered most important
  
• What if people refuse to comply with new requirements

Bare Apparel, Dressing up for Success and Respect

Bare Apparel, Dressing up for Success and Respect

So how do I look?

Sounds familiar? Have you heard of that phrase on TV? You're right! How about "dressing up for success"? I have read about that, too. I never really thought much about appearance and supervision, but it does matter.

Lately, since I'm not getting younger and I got so accustomed to my workplace, I started choosing very comfortable get-ups over how they appear. Then, the moment came when I had to audit my staff on their grooming and uniforms. I suddenly experienced self-awareness as to how I look.

As a supervisor, you must earn respect and look respectable. Basic grooming is of utmost importance. Imagine counseling a staff or conducting a meeting with your people. As you speak or after your talk, instead of listening to you and remembering your words, they discuss how sloppy you looked or how horrifyingly loud your shirt color was that they were almost blinded by it.

When I mentioned basic grooming that would include the following:

• Neatly-combed hair and a professional hairstyle, no big ribbons or spikes
• No tattoos, day-old beard or bushy mustache
  
• Clean shoes (and with socks please and no to slippers)
  
• Clean, trimmed nails

Other simple suggestions would be:

• Preferably choose cool solid colors instead of overly-printed cloth.
• Check coordination of your top with pants/skirt.
• Keep polo or blouse properly tucked if so (no dangling undershirts).
  
• Wear neat clothes please (no stains, no rips, no visible excess threads and not crumpled, even if old).
• No flimsy tops on dark personal underclothing or thigh-high slits please.
  
• Pick simple jewelry (the lesser, the better for the workplace). No earrings for men.
  

New, expensive or fashionable clothes are not required. Simple, clean, crisp clothes are better appreciated.

Apparel, bare apparel, do not ignore.

What a strange power there is in clothing. Isaac Bashevis Singer

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. Lee Mildon

A Fruitful New Year

Let's welcome the new year with sparks in our heart in serving others and glorifying God. Welcome 2011!!!

Have a fruitful, happy new year!