Success Principles

As our national leaders talk about racial integration and tolerance of one another in a multi-racial country, some civil societies are practicing and serving the needy and less-fortunate in our communities without consciousness of their colours. Before I proceed further, let me clarify that I do not subscribe to people tolerating each other. I prefer that we understand, accept and respect each other as we are.

I would like to draw my readers' attention to non-governmental service organizations like the Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and the like, where it is distinctly incorporated in their constitutions that their members must rise above race, religion and creed in their membership and the service to the needy and less-fortunate. The most admirable thing is that these requirements are practiced and seen to be carried out.

Let me share my personal observations as a member of the Lions Club in Malaysia with you and why I stayed on for 33 years to serve with this organization.

Firstly, practically all the important document of this organization, from the Constitution, Statement of Purposes, and Code of Ethics, prescribed very clearly its non-racial, non-religous and non-sectarian nature.

Also, the constitution of every of its clubs prescribed that funds for community services (project funds) raised from their fund-raising activities must be kept separate from their administration account which consists mainly of its members' subscriptions. Thus, any examining its accounts will have a clear picture of its financial situation. Project funds can only be used for services that benefit the community and on no account can it be used for administrative purposes. This is the level of discipline that Lions Clubs members are subjected to. Their accounts are of course audited annually by elected honorary auditors. There is also a requirement that clubs present their accounts during their annual general meeting, at least three times in a year at the Zone Meeting, and forward their financial statement to their District Governor's office and Lions Clubs International Headquarters half-yearly. As you can observe from the above requirements, Lions Clubs' financial positions are monitored at several level.

On its multi-racial, and multi-cultural standing, it can be noted in Malaysia that despite of its membership being predominantly Chinese, its District Governors over the last 50 years have consisted of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Kadazans. For the prestigious international position of Internation Director, where only two (2) Malaysians have had the oppotunity to serve, we have the honour of electing a Malay member of the feminine gender to represent us. This definitely speaks volume of our members level of colour-blindness. We are indeed proud to be colour-blind in this situation!

In terms of community projects, the Lions have served all regardless of race, religious or political affiliation. Community projects are carried out in the kampongs, new villages and even extend into the remote areas where "orang asli" settlements. Renal Centres, and Eye Clinic, mobile eye and health screening services are carried out all over the country to all Malaysians.

My 33 years of involvement with this organization has indeed been most educational and enlightening where I have concluded that all Malaysians can live and serve together with the right leadership and right intentions.

Let's all, from our national leaders to the ordinary rakyat be colour-blind!

Thoughts & Words have Powers!

by SuccessDynamics @ 2009-09-28 – 21:06:39

This weekend, I have been engaged to give a talk on Words of Mouth Marketing. In researching for my presentation, my thoughts naturally drew my attention to the power of thoughts and words. What we believe sincerely and focused on intensely can become reality. Thus, we must be careful with what we think and say. Our leaders should also take this seriously. Since words can sell products, they can also be deployed to mould mind-sets!

I also reflected on certain negative leaders that continuously harp on the need to provide special assistance and handicap to certain segment of society to help them compete. Can one imagine, if competing within one country, we require handicapping, what will happen when we have to compete with the rest of the world??? I dread to imagine.

The time has come where everyone in the world has got to be ready and prepared to compete in a globalized and liberalized world. Like it or not, everyone has got to be at their best in order to edge out a decent living, and some of us may prosper richly. Therefore, we must be psychologically and professionally equipped to face this challenge. We must transcend national boundaries and adapt to take on challenges like everyone else and emerge fitter and stronger, and most importantly emerge winners. Let us have the world as our market!

In this respect, our leaders must change their approach and start telling our people that we are ready and capable of competing with the best in the global market on our own. We will definitely have to overcome much challenges and obstacles, but with resilience, we will conquer them and triumph over them. We must persist till we succeed!

Do our leaders believe that we are able to face these challenges which require everyone to be the best they can be? I sincerely hope that they can answer in the positive! What we need is for our leaders to believe and trust us that we, the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Dayaks, Kadazans, and all, can, and given the right encouragement,tap on our potentials and inert abilities to compete with anyone, anywhere. Don't tell any one of us that we need special assistance and handicap because in the long run, they will paralyse us, and make us into real handicapped in the global market place.

The truth is we can compete with the best given the chance. The challenges thrown at us will make us fitter and stronger. We may not be comfortable initially, but over time and trials and errors, we will become the wiser in competing with the best. The laws of the jungle where the fittest survive will become our instincts and programmes that will give us the advantage. I also believe that we Malaysians have the unique multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural skills that we take for granted, but are powerful attributes that put us in an advantageous position to compete with many who find it difficult to adapt to differing cultures.

Thus, our leaders must remember that their thoughts and words are powerful and can build or destroy our peoples' confidence and attitude towards competition with the rest of the world. Don't over-emphasize and lead us to just compete with ourselves. Instead, lead us to build on our respective strength and complement each other in competing with the rest of the world. We will emerge winners when our leaders think, speak and act like winners. We are what they are if they walk the talk and we are allowed to think and speak critically and freely.

In conclusion, let us remind ourselves that our thoughts and words have power and will spur us to action that eventually determine our success as nation of great and caring people.

Had a reflection with my wife for 33 years, Molly, on her new job today.

Molly has always be very blessed in the sense that very thing seems to come her way when it is wished for.

Well, she married me in 1976 and we have had an interesting life together with lots of joy, quarrels, adventures, and experiences. We share many things in common, like serving the sick and needy, and learning.We love food too. although she didn't like durian initially, she learned to love it after our marriage.

Over the past 33 years, we have journeyed together through thick and thin and have emerged closer.

Coming back to her new job.

Just as she was due for retirement on 5th September 2008, she got an extension for a year with her employer. Then, when she was due to retire again this September, she was offered a job by a very close friend whose firm is in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, which is about 20 minutes drive away from where we stay, if there is no traffic congestion. As usual, things seem to come her way again. When she reported for work, she found that one of her line-dancing friend is also working in the same firm. This friend also stays where we are staying, i.e. Subang Jaya. So, they decided to car-pool and go to work every morning together!

Is this what people call luck?

I believe this is the works of the Law of Attraction.

Both, Molly and I have been socially conscious and have served those in need of our services wherever and whenever possible. We have been active consistently doing our part in the rendering of services to whatever cause that we have the ability to serve.

In the process of serving, we have befriended like-minded people. As we serve sincerely and conscientiously, our friends in service have the opportunity to know us better. This in turn gain us their endearment and respect and we become better friends. Likewise, they too gain our trust and endearment and our friendship grows.

Thus, the job offer for Molly and also, having a friend who stays near of place of residence as her colleague.

Thus, one is seemed to be lucky when the universal Law of Attraction grants her rewards. The more we give, so shall we receive. As we sow, so shall we reap.

The Law does work! Serve unconditionally, and let the Law take care of the rest.

Today, I read an article by Anil Netto and she made the following observations which are appended below.

"The outflow shows that investors, including Malaysian firms, find investment opportunities not so good in Malaysia and that's why they are moving abroad," said Subramaniam. "The government has to look into why they are not finding it attractive to invest here despite the risk involved in moving their funds abroad."

Last year, approved foreign investment slumped to $3.0 billion in the first half of 2009, compared with $13.3 billion for the whole of 2008, according to the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority. It's not just foreign investment that has fallen: approved new domestic projects dropped to $1.5 billion in the first half this year, compared with the already low $4.8 billion for the whole of 2008."

Do we really have to look elsewhere to find the reasons?

As a layman, my humble observation is simple and frank.

Investors must have faith in and trust a country's political stability, consistency in policies, and transparency in governance, before they are prepared in invest in a country. It is the same for our own investors. They will only invest in a foreign country when they are confident that the three conditions are in place before they are prepared to consider investing in these countries. After all, any student of international management will know that political, economical and political stability coupled with technological superiority are factors they look for before the invest in a foreign country. The question we have to ask ourselves is, do we have all these in place?

How often have our policies been flip-flopping? How often have we been reactive instead of being pro-active? Answer these questions honestly, and we will find the answers and how to regain the trust and confidence of international investors to return to invest in our motherland. Our own investors' faith and confidence will also increase to invest here again!

Leadership of a country must be consistent, transparent, accountable and equitable, in order to gain trust and confidence of all, thus, creating a worthy and conducive environment for interested investors to want to invest.

Pay the Price!

Leaders must be willing to pay the price!

Today I read two articles which inspired me to reflect on how many of our political leaders pay the wrong price to stay in power. Staying in their respective positions is more important than doing the right things, i.e. serve the rakyat’s aspirations and needs.

However, the two articles mentioned above, which I intend to share with my readers, gave hope that there are indeed leaders who actually were willing to pay the price at great sacrifice of their own positions, freedom and future for our rakyat. To them I offer my highest respect and admiration.

One was about the ex-Pahang Mentri Besar Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar who just passed away today. May the Almighty bless his soul.
It was reported in the article thathe feared no one as long as he has what are right on his side. Not even the Ruler of the day! He would do what were right and stuck to his gun. As a result of his strong principles and courage, his tenure of office was shortened and he was compromised. However, the people of Pahang loved him and that is what counted.And today, on his passing, there are people who remembered him for his courage, righteousness and good deeds. As the Chinese saying goes, ”when a tiger dies it leaves its skin, when a man dies he leaves his name.” (To read more about his contributions and achievements, visit www.mt.harapanmalaysia.com)

Another person who paid the price for what was right at the expense of his freedom and future was none other than the current Chief Minister of Penang, Yang Amat Berhormat Lim Guan Eng.

The case involved the molestation of a young Malay girl who has only an old grand-mother to help her. As the person who molested her was then the Chief Minister of Malacca, there was little that they could do. Under such threatening situation, there was little or no reaction from the various authorities. However,Yang Amat Berhormat Lim Guan Eng, who was a young Member of Parliament then, who took up the case to help this poor helpless young Malay girl get justice. For his courage and conviction in justice and desire to do what was right, he was jailed and lost his Member of Parliament allowances. He paid the price!

As everything happened for a reason, his goodness and chivalry was not forgotten by the public across the country and today, he has the privilege to be elected as the Chief Minister of Penang. Good begets good! That is a universal law that never fails those who do the right things.

The PKFZ case is another worthy case to note. The Honouarble Minister of Transport, Dato’ Seri Ong Tee Keat, despite of much resistance and hostility from his colleagues and the perpetrators, courageously pushed ahead to get the wrong doings made public so that the rakyat will know what happened and who are the ones that caused the loss and wastage of billions of tax payers’ money Here again, the Yang Berhormat will have to pay the price and it would be costly. He may even lose his ministership! However, it is better for him to do the right thing and lose the position than to lose his integrity and keeps the position. May the Almighty bless him with the more courage to face the very demanding challenge. There is always a price to pay when one desire to lead. The higher your leadership position, the higher the price!

The willingness to pay the price for what one believes in is paramount in determining the effectiveness of a leader.

Do you still aspire to be a leader! Are you willing to pay the price? Think about it!

Leaders all over the world make promises to get themselves into power. Upon achieving their objective, do they fulfill their promises? Some do, most don't!

In Malaysia, we have seen leaders making and breaking promises so very often!

However, these leaders unashamedly continue to make promises and commitments which they always find difficult to live up to. In the long term, they will lose their trust with the rakyat.

Leaders must live in accordance with their words! If one can't do it, don't promise! When one promises, do!

Point in case. The Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is one great example. Our leaders have often times promised to go after corrupt government officials and clean our administration of corrupt practices. Yet, in the case of the PKFZ, there seems to be so slow in taking action against those who have so clearly been negligent or irresponsible in causing billions of tax payers' money go to waste and enrich the pockets of the few who are in high positions. Even when the minister in charge tried to do a good job of going after the corrupt and unscrupulous officials, there seem to be so little support for his initiatives.

When official papers are exposed, instead of taking prompt and firm action against the corrupt officials, our leaders are going on a witch hunt to identify the whistle blower or blowers to punish them! How do we expect the rakyat to trust our leaders? Does one think that the rakyat is stupid enough to not see through this?

A leader's words must be his bond and honour and once given, must be fulfilled. When a leader goes back on his words, he loses his credibility and thus, trust. The rakyat will not trust the leader further even when he or she make a serious and honest commitment in the future.

Thus, any leader who desire to gain the trust and respect of his or her followers, must be careful with his or her words. Integrity and credibility are built over time when words are converted to actions that are in alignment repeatedly and consistently.

One may have a reputation of being a dynamic and powerful leader, but it is one's actions that earn one integrity that accords long term trust and respect. Integrity is reflected by a leader's actions that are in alignment with his or her words!

So, deliver what one promises! Respect and trust will follow! Align one's actions with one's words!

Which is better? Tolerating each other or, respecting, caring and loving each other?

The Chinese has from time immemorial valued the character of TOLERANCE. There is even a popular Chinese adage that "A Hundred Tolerance become Gold." In Malaysia, tolerance is a word that is often mentioned by political leaders when they desire to urge Malaysians to contribute to building a more harmonious nation.

Personally, I feel that we should stop asking Malaysians to tolerate one another. The word tolerate tends to create an impression that there is an element of reluctance in accommodating one another. There is therefore a limit to toleration and when that point is reached, the response can be very severe. For example if I have to tolerate the behavior of someone's bad behavior, my reaction to him will be most unpleasnat when my limit for toleration is reached.

Therefore, I feel that instead of asking Malaysians to tolerate each other, our leaders should encourage us to respect and embrace each other. These words are more positive and create a willing nature. Better still, if the word love is used.

It is sad that after 52 years as a nation, we still have to tolerate one another. Why don't we start respecting, caring and loving each other?

During my 32 years involvement with the Lions Club, I have learned to serve the needy regardless of racial background or religious and political affiliation. I have never found any difference in the ordinary people we served. They were all appreciative and grateful when being helped. They all thank us for being there to help and there is no feeling of differences. Ordinary folks do not differentiate each other. I tend to suspect that our leaders are sub-consciously very conscious of differences in us and thus, habitually call for toleration. Perhaps they should start to see us as one and challenge us to respect, care and love each other!

Yesterday, when I accompanied my wife and her siblings and their families on a Hari Raya visit to her Muslim cousins, there was so much expression of love and joy in getting together. Her cousin sister-in-law even invited us to visit her parents who are still Indonesian citizens, and yet we were happy to meet up with them without any feeling of being different. We are relatives and happy to be together!

If, when in service to others and in celebrating joyous occasions,we don't have the feeling of differences and therefore need to tolerate one another, why can't we perpetuate this attitude all the time in living with each other?

Leaders should thus, promote respect, care and love instead of tolerance!

I therefore urge everyone living in this beloved country of ours to forget about tolerating one another. Instead, let us start respecting, caring and loving each other, and Malaysia will be a paradise on earth. Let us be color blind and embrace each other in our lives as brothers and sisters. Let us celebrate that we are living in a country which is so blessed with much natural resources and diversity that adds beauty and excitement to our lives. Let us be ONE!

Leaders, be real leaders that create positive character in us.

Cheers!

Hi Friends
Valuable lessons from Mr. James Chin, a Malaysian academic who can be contacted at Jameschin1@gmail. His article, Future of our children, demonstrated a person who cares enough to speak the truth which can be painful to those who disagree with his observations. His ability to articulate his views and thoughts frankly and clearly, gives us the opportunity to look at issues from another angle and make our own decisions. We can of course agree or disagree with him, but its validity depends on our thinking system - independent thinking or controlled thinking.

Personally, I find James to be a courageous observer who dares to speak the truth as he sees it. Many a time such frank and critical thinking are not welcome by leaders of the day in not only the government, but also, other organizations. Thus, we must rise above such situations and be courageous enough to also speak the truth constructively like James.

Any organization, be it a country or an NGO, subjugating people's views and opinions that are not in line with our thinking is a disaster for all. Slowly but surely people stop thinking and become robots just agreeing to whatever is dished out to them. Is this the type of organization that Malaysia, or we, should have?

I think Malaysia deserves better as it is a naturally beautiful and great nation with enough for everyone. All we have to do is to be fair. So too with the organizations that each of us may be involved with. If we don't think critically and constructively, and instead give in to dominance so that we can be liked, then we are contributing to the "brain dead" situation that Mr. James Chin talked about.

To be effective as leaders in our own organizations, we must think critically and value and speak all that we truly believe are truth and good for us all.

Great lessons learned and, Tony, thanks for sharing this rich article.

Cheers!

Sam

As I read the article "Tee Keat braces for his Waterloo" written by Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez of The Sun, of 8th September, a thought came to me that the handling of the PKFZ scandal by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is indeed a great case study for leadership students. For all who sincerely would like to be effective and responsible leaders, reading this article and those on this scandal that were published earlier, would reveal to intending leaders the challenges and pitfalls of leadership.

Challenges like the will power and courage to walk the talk, doing the right things, taking responsibility for your action, serving for the interest of the rakyat instead of self-interest, etc are all very well demonstrated in Datuk Ong's action.

The courage to change for the better despite the hostile environment and resistance from colleagues, opponents, and other interested parties will, indeed, make a leader unpopular. However, as leaders, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing now. History will be the judge of leaders. It may cost the position, or even the life, of leaders who desire to do all that is right, but if we choose to be leaders, we must be willing to pay the price. History has recorded many such sacrifices that heroes made for the good of their people. Their legacies are what they leave for us. Their names are recorded in letters of gold in history and their contributions are admired by generations of people.

As rakyat, we must, if we want our country to be a strong, ethical and prosperous nation of people that love and care for one another regardless of race, religion or political believes, then we must play our roles to support leaders that are courageous, forthright and honest.

Leaders in government, as well as those in the opposition, must rise above their political divides and voice their support for such leaders.

We may disagree or dislike Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for whatever reasons, we must however, support him in his mission to bring about a new direction in the pursuit of accountable, competent and transparent governance for Malaysia. If such support is not forthcoming, I am afraid that the future will be bleak as fewer and fewer leaders of such caliber will emerge. Instead, we will see more and more "yes-man" leaders sprouting in every arena of this motherland of ours. Another 50 years will go by and we will remain as we are where corruption is rampant and change for the better becomes more difficult.

In time like this, we must be responsible "followers".

Serve to Lead!

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Tee Keat braces for his Waterloo PDF Print
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 19:33

Ong is now fighting for his presidency following the sacking of deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. He also faces law suits from PKFZ’s turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and its CEO, Bintulu MP and Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers chief Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

by R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez, The Sun Daily

Last night we had a belated birthday dinner for my wife of 33 years. Wow! Time really fly and we have been married for 33 years and she is already ripe for retirement. However, as life would have it, she was offered a new job as the Finance Manager of a public accounting and auditing consultancy and started work yesterday,7th September. Not rest but for someone who loves work, it is a joy to be useful.

Invariably, during the dinner, subjects pertaining to human strength and weaknesses was discussed and certain areas of concern was brought up.

In particular, the subject of critical thinking among leaders.

In the his book Believe and Achieve, The 17 Principles of Success, W. Clement Stone, mentioned the importance of Accurate Thinking and its significance in a leader's success.

Whether in self-management or relationship management and decision-making, critical or accurate thinking is a must.

As leaders, we are bound to listen to various issues brought up by our followers or members of the community we serve. Some are well intended whilst others may be gossips or rumours. Some may be well intended but flawed because of ingnorance or inexperience. Some may even be with evil intention to drive wedges between people. In the face of all these, accurate thinking is therefore most important. A leader of substance must be able to decode and assess the intention of the information and make wise decisions and reactions so that proper response are made.

When conducting ourselves, it is also important that leaders do the right things at the right time in the right place. For matters of importance and significance that can affect the well-being or harmony of the community, an appropriate time and place is particularly important.

As the saying goes, "there is a place and time for everything."

As leaders, we should therefore cultivate our capacity and capability of thinking critically and accurately in decoding and reacting all information received. In addition, what we say as leaders also have consequences which can either attract positive or negative responses. With the ability to think critically and accurately, we will then be able to exercise care in our words before they leave our gaps.

Chinese wisdom advised that "Illness enters through the mouth, while troubles exit, also, from the mouth."

Thus, bear i mind that there is right place and time to do all that are right and watch our "gaps".