Daily Lessons from 06-16 June 2012 - Various Observations ...

Yes. You guessed it. I was in China for 10 days and could not access my blog.

A summary of what I have gone through and somethings for me to reflect upon:

1. Resilience and 'sense of being overly absorbed with self'

I received a less than stellar endorsement in one of the workshops had asked to be given a 2nd chance to present the same workshop in Shanghai to a different group of participants from the same client. There were reluctance and I can fully appreciate why. Fortunately the principal managed to convince the client to give me a 2nd chance and I went.

It was surreal as I have not had a 'poor' rating for my work for a long while now. As I asked for and received MORE specific feedback on where I had gone 'less than stellar', it became easier for me to SPECIFICALLY address and improve on them.

In this '2nd chance' presentation, I had the good fortune of working with 2 accomplished co-facilitators from Holland and the USA. It was a good partnership and I enjoyed it. As such, the workshop went well in my opinion. Hopefully the client's participants will confirm that with their specific feedback. :-)

Learning: One MUST ask for SPECIFIC FEEDBACK in order to improve. Ask even when the principal who should know did not do that. It is very much one own responsibility to ask or even demand firmly but politely if one want to improve.

2. My most enjoyable part of every travel assignment - meeting up with long time friends in Shanghai and Beijing

I managed to catch up with another batch of people in Shanghai and in Beijing on this continuous trips. It again gave me immense pleasure and joy to have a meal and a cup of tea/coffee with long time friends how made time to meet up. I am grateful for it.

There was a bit of a nostalgia as the hotel when I have always stay in will be closed as the landlord decided to take the property back. I am thankful to Susan Zhu for the special privilege extended to me to stay in this hotel. It will be different the next time I am in Beijing when I stay in another place.

3. Workshop in Beijing and Tianjin Economics Development Area (TEDA)

Thoroughly enjoyed the 2 workshops as the learners are eager and kind and generous. I have prepared myself properly and the fact that I was able to communicate in working Mandarin made us feel connected deeper! To be in TEDA where my ex-employer, Motorola, used to have its massive manufacturing base there gave me a sense of nostalgia for sure. I was also very lucky to be able to catch up with Desiree Yao and her hubby, who was off-duty from his off-shore platform Ops Mgt work!

Noticeable changes around the TEDA and Binghai area abound. I wonder what will be in store for me when I next visit!!

4. Health Ambassador Volunteering this morning with SMa Members

The opportunity to share about HPB HAN volunteer work with more than 60 SMs members who came to the Walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park right after I touched down in Singapore is fantastic. Met up with 2 old acquaintances from Motorola and SMa School of Management! What a small world!

I am simply thrilled just to be able to share the message of HPB HAN. However little I do, I feel I am doing my bit. That is all that counts! Yew Guan from HPB was present as well. I am glad I was there as this is another place where I had NEVER been to in Singapore. It opens my eyes to how much work the National Park has done to try to provide some green lungs in our busy little tiny red dot of Singapore!

I hope to visit again with my wife and kids - if they are able to wake up early in the morning. :-)

5. finally the EURO2012! I was able to catch the 1st game while in China and still left with enough energy to delivery my workshop in the morning with vigour, energy and highest professionalism. The competition has been great so far as far as goals scoring is concerned. As with all competition - there will be losers and winners in name though there can be winners all if the spirits of being sports people is fully embraced and demonstrated! That is what I want to see. Exciting football aside.