What defines a Civil Servant?
a) An occupation that many considers an "iron rice bowl"
b) A job to serve the people other than joining politics.
c) A way to influence the life of an ordinary Singaporean.
d) It is just another job.
I ask myself the question this evening. I am not sure of the answer myself although I thought the answer was closer to b) or c). I am sure there are many out there who will choose a) or even d).
If the primary purpose is to make a difference to others, shouldn't we work closely towards a more holistic objective? I thought that given the lack of profit making motive (bottom line matters for private sector companies), the approach to working in the civil service should be entirely different.
However, I did not observe this at my workplace. Perhaps it is just another job. Don't think too much about it and look forward to the next payday.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Life Compass
With numerous emails to clear and tonnes of issue to resolve, I am taking time to pen down my thoughts.
Just like UK faced the coldest winter and Australia looked to receive the hottest summer ever, the weather in my office seems to have taken a turn for the worse too.
Perhaps it is just me. Low EQ and picky with the working arrangement. I never felt working so tough, thinking that the working environment is amicable and all are willing to chip in to work towards a better future. The kampung spirit in the office seems lacking. Has work caught up with everyone and resulted in everyone busy looking internally rather than holistically?
If it is true, then it is rather sad as it is no longer the workplace I thought it was. Just like Ryan Giggs looking to finish his career with Manchester United, likewise for Raul for Real Madrid, is this option available for me?
It's just a job, xy reminded me. No wonder xy and s gave me the cup with the following wordings "It's only a job... My job is secure... Nobody wants it.".
I guess it is the life that is important. But where is my life heading? Sigh, I am still looking for the compass and inspiration.
Just like UK faced the coldest winter and Australia looked to receive the hottest summer ever, the weather in my office seems to have taken a turn for the worse too.
Perhaps it is just me. Low EQ and picky with the working arrangement. I never felt working so tough, thinking that the working environment is amicable and all are willing to chip in to work towards a better future. The kampung spirit in the office seems lacking. Has work caught up with everyone and resulted in everyone busy looking internally rather than holistically?
If it is true, then it is rather sad as it is no longer the workplace I thought it was. Just like Ryan Giggs looking to finish his career with Manchester United, likewise for Raul for Real Madrid, is this option available for me?
It's just a job, xy reminded me. No wonder xy and s gave me the cup with the following wordings "It's only a job... My job is secure... Nobody wants it.".
I guess it is the life that is important. But where is my life heading? Sigh, I am still looking for the compass and inspiration.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Emotional Quotient
The following was the conversation between my staff and me:
s: I went for an EQ talk last weekend. I think you should go too.
me: So you are saying that my EQ is very low?
s: No, your EQ is quite good I think, except for one part. You need to learn how to scold people, to let go of some emotion within you. Else once you snap, you will explode.
I guess she is right. I always thought that my EQ is ok. Perhaps I was wrong. EQ is more than just saying the right thing at the right time, doing the right thing at the right time. Its about control, controlling your emotion and managing them, not letting them control you.
It is not easy but you just got to learn and manage it. Have signed up for an EQ course in March. Hope to gain and benefit from it.
s: I went for an EQ talk last weekend. I think you should go too.
me: So you are saying that my EQ is very low?
s: No, your EQ is quite good I think, except for one part. You need to learn how to scold people, to let go of some emotion within you. Else once you snap, you will explode.
I guess she is right. I always thought that my EQ is ok. Perhaps I was wrong. EQ is more than just saying the right thing at the right time, doing the right thing at the right time. Its about control, controlling your emotion and managing them, not letting them control you.
It is not easy but you just got to learn and manage it. Have signed up for an EQ course in March. Hope to gain and benefit from it.
Is it that difficult?
I was heading to work as usual this morning. There were about 6 to 8 people in the lift. When I was in there, those near the buttons did not hold the door open, resulting in some of the people being caught by the door.
When it was time for me to leave the lift, the same happened to me as well. Is it that difficult for someone to hold the door for others? Where has the basic etiquette gone to?
When I was young, i remember the campaign "Courtesy begins with me". Currently, there is still several of these "Singa" standing near the Central Fire Station as mascots, probably reminding us of the need to show courtesy to others.
"Do to others what you want others to do to you." This is the principle I am holding close to my heart and I am not changing it anytime soon. However, I would appreciate if everyone shows a bit more consideration for others in the daily living and the world will be a better place.
When it was time for me to leave the lift, the same happened to me as well. Is it that difficult for someone to hold the door for others? Where has the basic etiquette gone to?
When I was young, i remember the campaign "Courtesy begins with me". Currently, there is still several of these "Singa" standing near the Central Fire Station as mascots, probably reminding us of the need to show courtesy to others.
"Do to others what you want others to do to you." This is the principle I am holding close to my heart and I am not changing it anytime soon. However, I would appreciate if everyone shows a bit more consideration for others in the daily living and the world will be a better place.
Friday, January 22, 2010
995
Last night, my colleague and I worked late to rush out something as my big boss will be overseas from this Saturday onwards and we need to get her to clear it asap.
After a long night and with my eyes going to shut anytime soon, my colleague asked me if I smell anything burning. Later, she directed me to the rooftop of Funan IT Mall where there were smoke emitting. However, we conclude there was probably no fire since the smoke was pretty clear, not the black "sooty" type.
She asked me what is the number to call if there is a fire. I thought that any Singaporean should know, especially those who went through the Singapore education. However, I forgot that she is a Hongkie wannabe. =P
I told her its 995 and asked if she knew the origin to it. "No" was answer. As usual, being extremely helpful, I shared with her the version I got from Primary School.
If you are aware, the 3rd President of Singapore is Devan Nair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devan_Nair). It was rumoured that there was a fire at his residence once and his wife shouted "Nair, Nair, Fire" for assistance. That was how 995 came about.
She laughed at it and gestured to hit me (not for the first time already).
Today I got another version from an ex-colleague, which seems fairly reasonable as well. She shared that it is because it sounded like "救救我".
Whichever the true version may be, just remember to dial the correct number in times of need. Of course, it would be ideal if you never need to call this number. :)
Have a good weekend.
After a long night and with my eyes going to shut anytime soon, my colleague asked me if I smell anything burning. Later, she directed me to the rooftop of Funan IT Mall where there were smoke emitting. However, we conclude there was probably no fire since the smoke was pretty clear, not the black "sooty" type.
She asked me what is the number to call if there is a fire. I thought that any Singaporean should know, especially those who went through the Singapore education. However, I forgot that she is a Hongkie wannabe. =P
I told her its 995 and asked if she knew the origin to it. "No" was answer. As usual, being extremely helpful, I shared with her the version I got from Primary School.
If you are aware, the 3rd President of Singapore is Devan Nair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devan_Nair). It was rumoured that there was a fire at his residence once and his wife shouted "Nair, Nair, Fire" for assistance. That was how 995 came about.
She laughed at it and gestured to hit me (not for the first time already).
Today I got another version from an ex-colleague, which seems fairly reasonable as well. She shared that it is because it sounded like "救救我".
Whichever the true version may be, just remember to dial the correct number in times of need. Of course, it would be ideal if you never need to call this number. :)
Have a good weekend.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
No Pride
The renovation project for my house has been far from a smooth experience but I guess you learn and grow with such incidents.
Other than price, sometimes you are hoping that with the reputation they are protecting, vendors will be more careful and experienced and hence warrant the higher fees charged.
The following was what the salesperson told me when I was shopping for my air-conditioners.
"The price is probably similar with different shops. The difference is the workmanship and skill. We do not sub-contract out to other vendors, we have our in-house technicians to do the installation for you. (Pointing to a picture with about 300 staff surrounding several vans) Look at this, this is something other companies cannot boost. We have the staff and reputation."
Being the sucker that I was, I trusted them and went along with them.
Little did I realise that they are unable to do the job they were told to. To think that I paid extra to get the installation to be done in 2 phases (at the request of my ID).
At the end of Phase 1, there will be loose gas pipes and water pipes around before the blowers were installed. I went to take a look on Saturday, in case anything goes wrong. To my horror, the insulation used were of different brands and different size as specified in the contract. I complained and the customer service followed up.
Today, they called me to say that its been rectified. Eager to see the outcome, I met with disappointments as majority of the errors have not been rectified. To be strict, none in fact.
If the insulation used all belong to a single size, I would say that you might have mixed up the orders and provided the wrong insulation. However, they came in a variety of sizes, just like pots in the house.
This mistake is so obvious and can probably be done by someone with no pride in his work (note that I am giving them the benefit of doubt that they are not trying to cheat me deliberately.).
This has been a disappointment and it is holding up my renovation as my ID wants to cover up the false ceiling and move on from here.
Sighzzzz....
Other than price, sometimes you are hoping that with the reputation they are protecting, vendors will be more careful and experienced and hence warrant the higher fees charged.
The following was what the salesperson told me when I was shopping for my air-conditioners.
"The price is probably similar with different shops. The difference is the workmanship and skill. We do not sub-contract out to other vendors, we have our in-house technicians to do the installation for you. (Pointing to a picture with about 300 staff surrounding several vans) Look at this, this is something other companies cannot boost. We have the staff and reputation."
Being the sucker that I was, I trusted them and went along with them.
Little did I realise that they are unable to do the job they were told to. To think that I paid extra to get the installation to be done in 2 phases (at the request of my ID).
At the end of Phase 1, there will be loose gas pipes and water pipes around before the blowers were installed. I went to take a look on Saturday, in case anything goes wrong. To my horror, the insulation used were of different brands and different size as specified in the contract. I complained and the customer service followed up.
Today, they called me to say that its been rectified. Eager to see the outcome, I met with disappointments as majority of the errors have not been rectified. To be strict, none in fact.
If the insulation used all belong to a single size, I would say that you might have mixed up the orders and provided the wrong insulation. However, they came in a variety of sizes, just like pots in the house.
This mistake is so obvious and can probably be done by someone with no pride in his work (note that I am giving them the benefit of doubt that they are not trying to cheat me deliberately.).
This has been a disappointment and it is holding up my renovation as my ID wants to cover up the false ceiling and move on from here.
Sighzzzz....
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Management Skills
七天内，三幢白事。
生老病死是一个自然现象，谁也不能被幸免。
Of the three who departed, one of them is a senior staff of my office although I don't remember working with her before. Given the post she was holding, I was expecting something more from the management to inform the rest of the colleagues about the demise of this particular officer. There was no official notice/email from the management.
There was also no intention to put up obituary notice in the papers until prompted by a PS from a separate ministry. I thought it was rather callous, both from HR and the management on the follow-up action. Apparently, there was also no instructions to the staff of this senior officer on the future working arrangement. Everything seems to be in limbo. So much uncertainty.
Sadly, worse is to come. OM gave instructions to clear her room within 3 days of her departure. Staff were asked to get the office key from her family to facilitate this process (i believe). Is there such a rush to do so? Why can't they wait till the people settled the funeral and grieved over the death of their loved one before doing this?
Doesn't make sense to me. This seems to exhibit a lack of management skills (i just remembered that we are professionals, not managers) and empathy towards those who needed them. If this is going to be the policy, it will make the place even colder than before and more talent will leave.
How sad....
生老病死是一个自然现象，谁也不能被幸免。
Of the three who departed, one of them is a senior staff of my office although I don't remember working with her before. Given the post she was holding, I was expecting something more from the management to inform the rest of the colleagues about the demise of this particular officer. There was no official notice/email from the management.
There was also no intention to put up obituary notice in the papers until prompted by a PS from a separate ministry. I thought it was rather callous, both from HR and the management on the follow-up action. Apparently, there was also no instructions to the staff of this senior officer on the future working arrangement. Everything seems to be in limbo. So much uncertainty.
Sadly, worse is to come. OM gave instructions to clear her room within 3 days of her departure. Staff were asked to get the office key from her family to facilitate this process (i believe). Is there such a rush to do so? Why can't they wait till the people settled the funeral and grieved over the death of their loved one before doing this?
Doesn't make sense to me. This seems to exhibit a lack of management skills (i just remembered that we are professionals, not managers) and empathy towards those who needed them. If this is going to be the policy, it will make the place even colder than before and more talent will leave.
How sad....
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