No work is beneath you

Part of my secondary business (or glorified hobby, depending on how you see it) involves manning a retail booth at public fairs, teaching children games and lots of smiling at and approaching strangers. Sometimes I wonder whether this is a good use of my time. Isn't this too low-level work? I am reminded of a lesson learned from an old friend who is a successful entrepreneur. He used to deliver roasted pork in his luxury car when building that business. His client (imagine a middle-aged Chinese hawker stall uncle in singlet and slippers) was shocked to see it and asked him why. His answer was simply this - it was work that needed to be done. 

Yes, as leaders we must spend our time wisely, allocating the right work to the right persons. But we have to remember our work is about delivering an outcome. If a task needs to be done to deliver that outcome, it just needs to be done. No task is below anyone. 

How Well Do You Handle Conflicts?

 

Interpersonal conflicts are something that can drain our energy and bring our productivity to a standstill. We sometimes wonder, why are people so difficult? There are techniques and methods to help us resolve conflicts. Some require a change in habit or a change in mindset. If we are able to handle conflicts well, we will be much happier in our work. And in life too. https://www.simplifypeople.com/articles/handling-conflicts .

The Buddhist chant story

 

When I go for my regular early morning walks at the park, I don't bring my phone. I enjoy being disconnected. I feel the cool air, and I hear the birds and insects. I enjoy the peace and quiet. One thing I cannot stand is joggers or walkers who play music aloud, spoiling the morning tranquility. One day when I had my walk, I met an uncle playing aloud a Buddhist chant. His speed was about the same as mine, and we were on the same path. That meant I would be stuck with him unless I stopped to let him go ahead, or I walked faster to get away from him. I did the latter, speeding up, until I could no longer hear him. However after a while, I noticed the faint Buddhist chant again. After I returned to my normal speed, he gradually closed the distance. I had to speed up a little again. This ebb and flow went on for a while, the steady chant chasing me as I kept myself moving forward. It was then I had a revelation and a chuckle. I associate Buddhist chants with funerals and deaths. So here I was, being chased by death, while I worked hard to stay ahead. Is this a metaphor for life? JRR Tolkien through his work Lord of the Rings explored death and mortality. We are all mortal. But many live like we have forever. We don't have forever. The Buddhist chant can be here in 20 years. It can be here tomorrow. So every day we choose how we live. Choose to live in way that you can tell yourself, yes, I have lived.

When your students surprise you.

 

At one recent training session in which I trained a group of young leaders on impactful speeches, I was left stunned by one of my students. It was only a three minute speech. In a quiet and gentle manner, she shared a personal story that deeply moved the whole room. I took a glance and half the audience had tears in their eyes. The speaker concluded her presentation with a statement which no one will forget. It is in moments like this that the meaning in our work is defined.