Tuesday, April 24, 2007
There are no mistakes
There are no mistakes.The events we bring upon ourselves,
no matter how unpleasant,
are necessary in order to learn
what we need to learn;
whatever steps we take,
they're necessary to reach
the places we've chosen to go.
Richard Bach
American Author of 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'
Labels: Inspire
TekadMon at 12:20 pm
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A Culture of Leadership
Paul Kearley
The only test of leadership is that somebody follows.~Robert K. Greenleaf
I was 19 years old in basic training for the Canadian military and we were in a place called Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. One day we were on our 7-mile walk/run in full gear out, it seemed, in the middle of nowhere. The corporal who was leading us or should I say running ahead of us was running at a pretty good pace that was leaving a few people behind. Being pretty cocky, and in good shape, I decided to challenge him, so I ran up to him and passed him… you should have seen the look in his eyes as I ran past…total surprise. He caught up to me and passed me, and from there the race was on! For a couple of miles, we both traded the lead many times. Not a word was spoken except words of determination and drive.
When we arrived back at camp, there was no one behind us. We turned around and ran back to the troop who was just cresting the last hill before camp. I joined back in the troop, expecting to be cheered on for taking on the Corporal, only to find that the troop was quite upset with me. Upset because my responsibility, when we started the walk/run exercise, was to set the pace for the whole troop and in my blind zeal to challenge the Corporal, I forgot about everything else except winning. I forgot about the abilities of the others, and only thought of being first.
Today, over twenty-five years later, I still remember that lesson: When you are working in or leading a group, real success happens when everyone finishes together… and cheering each other on... not just the one who is in front. Yes it is important to do your personal best, and be the best that you can be, just keep in mind that success and a sense of leadership is much sweeter when you help someone else to succeed along with you. This done, that person can go on to become an effective leader as well, with your coaching acting as an example.
One thing is certain though, for any organization to be successful in the current business culture of "get more done quicker, better and with less", everyone has to be thinking leadership. In the example above, if I had of had someone else in a leadership position leading us who was not out to make himself look good, but wanted to instil confidence in us and make us look good, then I definitely would have done something completely different. Leadership isn't an "It's all about me" game, it's a "how can I grow the people to higher levels of competence" game.
A front line person demonstrates leadership by serving her employees in a professional and proficient manner. She assists in the decision making process, she offers options and suggestions for them to consider , she asks questions to get a clear picture of what the other person is looking for and she coaches her people through the problems and challenges that they have from time to time. People have to feel confident in their position with an openness to make mistakes that turn into learning opportunities. I'm sure that if you ask 80% of the people with whom you meet each day if they have a culture of learning or leadership within their organization, the answer will be a very strong "no". As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to guess that they would say just the opposite, that they are afraid of making a mistake in fear of getting called across the carpet by a dictatorial boss who doesn't have a clue what the difference is betwee! n leadership and management, and who lives in fear of looking bad because of the actions of someone who has made a mistake and how that will make them look. They instil fear to eliminate mistakes, never realizing that when people are fearful, they don't take risks, they don't try anything new, and they don't think in innovative ways for ideas to improve either production or profit. They are, in effect, mentally shutting down their performance.
Leadership is such a personal thing with all people. What we read in the paper and see in the news really only scratches the surface of the depth of the amount of extraordinary leadership that is in every culture and organization. In trying to define just what leadership is, I have discovered that leadership is a reflection of the person's values, beliefs and actions. There are, however, certain qualities that are inherent in effective leadership that all effective leaders possess. They are: Self Confidence: The ability to make difficult decisions and make them stick. Enthusiasm: The ability to maintain a high level of energy and focus. Motivational abilities: An ability to rally the team and have them follow willingly. Clear Vision: They have a clear picture of what's possible and can get alignment from all teams involved. Follow-up: can keep people accountable. People skills: able to make people feel like they are a part of the team and does it! sincerely. Communications: Can deliver a message clearly and effectively, able to see other points of view. Passion: Nothing worthwhile can ever be realized without a certain elevated level of passion… it is the fuel for success.
So, this week, remember that leadership really isn't about us; it's about the results that we can create through the people that have been entrusted to us. It's about making them look and feel good doing the actions that will achieve the vision. It's not about running in front of them so they can see how fast you are, it's about developing the abilities in your people so that they want to run in front of you to show how fast they are.
Labels: Inspire
TekadMon at 5:39 pm
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Be A Queen
Be a queen. Dare to be different. Be a pioneer. Be a leader. Be the kind of woman who in the face of adversity will continue to embrace life and walk fearlessly toward the challenge. Be a truth seeker and rule your domain with a loving heart.
Be a queen. Be tender. Stop wasting time being mundane and mediocre.
Be a queen. Own your power and glory!
~Oprah Winfrey~
Labels: Inspire
TekadMon at 4:35 pm
TEKAD Gathering 2007
Dear Coaches..."Tekad dipahat, Wawasan Dijulang, Kejayaan Digenggam"...PROJEK TEKAD.
Greetings to all of you...
It has been such a long time we did not have any gathering as we used to do back in Aizan's house...busy preparing for the Projek Tekad...meetings, makan-makan, gurau senda...etc
'Make make(makan), gege gege, muko muko come lote, kejo bereh, hebak debe, mari doh, core team kelate'...Oh gosh... I will never ever forget it in my entire life (rap version)..it was wonderful, beautiful, excellent.The event back in Kelantan it did really touch my heart...
I do really miss those wonderful moments...and I wish we could have another gathering soon.
I strongly believe and I am very sure, Projek Tekad does leave you a certain 'frequency' that you will never ever forget in your life....right? let's have another special Projek TEKAD...???
I know, I know All of us are busy with our daily working life...BUT
I need a small favour from you, I’m serious, I need a small favour from you....
Stop for a moment and calm your thoughts, let go of your anxieties, and look around you...and think of those beautiful moments during Projek Tekad...being together with your lovely champions...focus on it...c'mon do it...!
What do you see...?
What do you see my dear Coach...?
You see a TEKAD filled with Beauty,
You see a TEKAD filled with Possibilities,
You see TEKAD being born, being nurtured and being fulfilled.
Yes, there are challenges my Dear Coach,
Yes....there is a sorrow,
And of course…there is violance and hatred
BUT my Dear Coach, more than these,in PROJEK TEKAD, there is LOVE, there is Goodness, there is JOY
The future is uncertain...
RIGHT NOW...think of what a precious thing your life is and how truly blessed
you are to experience it.
RIGHT NOW...
Any anxiety you may have about your Champion's future is only an Illusion,
Let it go...
Let it fade away as the beauty and perfection of RIGHT NOW wash over you,
The best thing you can do for the future is to live with everything you have in the present
RIGHT NOW, you are in a position to create real, lasting positive value for the world in which you live in
How do you do that?
By being you.
You may have wandered away from yourself, now is the time to come home…
Lets us have a TEKAD gathering among the Coaches. Let us be together and create a 'Wondeful Gathering'
Where?
Pangkor Island, Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Venue?
Pangkor Village Resort
When?
You vote!
Please send your vote to me via email rajinder_pw@yahoo.com before 20th April 2007 @ 6:00pm.
Rajinder Singh
Head
Tekad Gathering 2007
Labels: TEKAD Events and Happenings
TekadMon at 4:27 pm
Friday, April 13, 2007
Same Blog, New Point of View
Coaches and Champions,After such a long silence…..We’re back!!
And it’s going to be BETTER, MORE FIERCE and BURSTING WITH ENERGY this time!
What are we talking about? It’s our beloved Tekad Blog, Our blog is alive again!
We now have a happening Editorial Team and we are introducing hot and exciting new segments into our blog:
Postcards from Abroad
Anyone has traveled anywhere recently? Send us photos of your travels and tell us about your exciting adventures. Better still, send a postcard and we’ll be happy to post the postcards, pictures and capers here..
TEKAD Careers
Coaches will share their challenging careers in this segment, complete with photos, tips and juicy insights into their work.
TEKAD Events & Happenings
Weddings, arrival of TEKAD babies, awards, achievements….tell us what you have been up to and all the significant events in your life here.
Inspire
Have you come across any profound stories or quotes? Share it with everyone here and inspire us all.
Dear Coach
“How do I overcome my failure?”
“How do I improve my English?”
“Is it OK for me to be in love while I’m studying?”
Questions and questions have rained down on the Coaches. Here is the segment where we post our candid answers to these deep, difficult and challenging questions.
TEKAD Books & Movies
What books have you read lately? Tell us something about the recent movies that you watched. Which movies or books in particular have moved you? Any books or movies that you don’t want to others to miss out on?
My Ivory Tower
Here, the universities where the Coaches studied at will be featured. Read first-hand experience from the Coaches themselves about their university life and even the crazy things they did as a student!
Ready, Set, GOAL!
Dare to declare you dream to the world? Need help to achieve you goals? Share your dreams and allow Champions and Coaches to support you and together, let’s make it a reality.
OR…have achieved your goal? Tell us about your success story. Don’t be afraid to be proud of it because we are really proud that you DID IT!
TEKAD Opportunities
In this segment, we will highlight various learning- and career-related opportunities for both Coaches and Champions. Whether it’s job openings, scholarship advertisements or Malay traditional dance class, we will put it up for you. The question is, are you up for it?
That’s not all, WE WANT YOU!
Coaches and Champions, we need all the support that we can get for this blog to come alive. We appreciate your support in the form of:
Volunteers in The Editorial Team
Do you want to be part of this happening team? We need writers, photographers, graphic/web designers or any help at all that you can lend to us.
Contributors
You have stories to share? Be it inspirational, your recent road trip, your success stories or anything at all you can share with the TEKAD family, give it to us. We want it.
Interested? Don’t waste more time, give a shout out to tekadmon@gmail.com.
Coach Pip
For the TEKAD Blog Editorial Team
Labels: From The Editorial Team
TekadMon at 3:07 pm
Friday, April 06, 2007
A union of two lecturers
- 10th March 2007Though both of them live and work in the same area for a couple of years already, it was the TEKAD event that actually brought them together. :)
Congrats to Coach Imran and Coach Noreen on their wedding. May you have a blissful life together.
Labels: TEKAD Events and Happenings
TekadMon at 3:02 pm
A Riverside Wedding of Coach Anang
- 9th, 10th and 11th Feb 2007The journey to Coach Anang’s wedding in Parit Buntar began on the 9th Feb. Two cars, aptly named TEKAD-01 (carrying Coach Aizan, Coach Bet, Coach Falisa and Coach Shida) and TEKAD-02 (with Coach Jai, Coach Asma and Coach Naz) left KL at about 8pm to Batu Gajah for a one night’s stay at Coach Aidah’s house (for ladies) and Coach Imran’s for the gentlemen.
After breakfast in Batu Gajah, the journey continued on to Taiping where the envoy picked up 3 Champions from TEKAD Perak, who were to accompany the coaches to Anang’s wedding.
At final count, there were 5 cars in the TEKAD Envoy that went to Coach Anang’s wedding. It was a very grand event, held at the riverside of Sg Kerian and graced by the presence of DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah & Permaisuri Bainun as well as the Raja Muda Raja Nazrin and Raja Di-Hilir. Coach Anang and wife Shah looked really good together, a match made in heaven or as we say it in Malay, “bagai pinang di belah dua”.
After the wedding, the Envoy drove up to Penang where we stayed overnight in Batu Feringghi. Courtesy of Coach Aizan, we had one beautiful apartment for the girls and another for the guys.
The next morning, we woke up to sound of the waves hitting the beach. A morning spent at leaisure on the beach before we all packed our stuffs to go for lunch at coach Bachik’s house before driving back home again.
On the way back, we stopped in Taiping to drop off the Champs and sampled the famous Kuey Teow Dolly. While we were there, the Bride and Groom also decided to join us as well, so all of us had a closer opportunity to get to know the Bride, who’s now part of the Extended TEKAD family.
The journey finally ends at midnight on Sunday, 11th Feb 2007, when we all arrived home safe and sound and very, very sleepy.
Labels: TEKAD Events and Happenings
TekadMon at 2:55 pm
Coach Lolyta’s bundle of joy
- 10th Feb 2007Another TEKAD baby is born! This is Haris b Ahmad Ifwan, the son of Coach Lolyta and husband Ifwan.
Labels: TEKAD Events and Happenings
TekadMon at 2:47 pm
Merak Kayangan turned purple in celebration of Coach Sherie’s wedding
- 4th Feb 2007Coach Sherie is well-known with her champions in TEKAD KL, TEKAD Selangor, TEKAD Kelantan and TEKAD Penang as an exuberant, bubbly yet ‘garang’-in-a-motherly-way Coach. Her presence in any TEKAD events always manages to create the sense of excitement and cheerfulness to everyone. Now, Reza is the lucky guy who will be basking in the attention, affection and love from this bright lady.
Congrats to Coach Sherie and her husband Reza. May both of you live happily ever after.
Labels: TEKAD Events and Happenings
TekadMon at 2:40 pm
