Group 1, Day 3, Habit 2

I must say I am not elated after finishing my Habit 2: Begin with End in Mind with my group this week. I was not myself, my mind was distracted. The flow wasn't smooth, I wasn't prepared.

I guess the main reason is because I am lost, myself. How can a blind leading the blind? But there's no excuse for a shaddy performance. I knew I could do better, but I let stimulus gets the best of me.

I must quickly buck up, since I have lots of friends depends on me. More so, I don't want them to underestimate the learning value of what Dr.Covey had so perfectly achieved, by my below average teaching. Will use this weekend to find what's wrong and fix it!

Team,

I am sorry, will do better next time.

My Catalyst

I recently had a very nice surprise; a gift from Franklin Covey Malaysia - a book called "Everyday Greatness". I can't describe the feeling when I receive the book, it made me feel so valued and recognised. Though I haven't really accomplish anything spectacular, they acknowledge my effort and willing to help in my stuggle. I feel so blessed and full of gratitude for these strangers who barely know me, but are willing to help me out. That was a great day for me.

I haven't got the chance to read all of the wonderful, inspiring stories in the book. But once I do, I will try to share it in this blog so that we all can spread the greatness of living and being. Sometimes we thought we need to do big, enormous effort to touch life of others. But in actual fact, it's the little things that we do, sometimes have a big impact in so many ways.

This gift helped me in so many ways. It inspires me to keep on going, no matter how slow or painful. It is a prove that there are still good in this world despite of what we read in the paper everyday. In a way, it helps me realize my personal legend, and hopefully to pursuit it too.

Thank you Linda, Kim, Zainal for this catalyst.

Dealing With Demotivated Supplier

Lunch time today, I met up with 4 other colleagues, my Table Group members from the 7 Habits training. This is our first meet up since the workshop 2 weeks ago. Of the many stories we shared, this one really a true example how 7 Habits can help making our lives better.

LHC, is an R&D Engineering Manager who is responsible for field issues. As one can imagine, the huge pressure on his shoulder, having to solve problems for customers almost the minute he receives any bad news. Last week, LHC needed to go to a supplier in China and solve a critical engineering issue believed to be originating from the supplier's process.

Now here is the problem; it was a known fact that this supplier will be soon strike out from our company's approved vendor list due to stiff competition. We know that for a fact, and so does the supplier. Since the news made known to the them, it is of no surprise that suppport and cooperation from the supplier had been close to none. Now, how is LHC supposed to solve this problem effectively & efficiently, when obviously his visit will not be welcomed with red carpet? Thank goodness he just completed the 3-day 7 Habits Signature program which taught him valuable techniques to turn such sour situation into a sweeter experience.

From what I gather, LHC started his conversation with the suppliers by doing a lot of emphatic listening, seeking to understand first, then only to be understood (H5). Once satisfied that they are on the same page, LHC shared his side of the story, on the need to solve the problem prompto since customers are waiting. Only when both sides seem to understand each other's objectives (H4 Think Win-Win), the high walls that once once between them seemed to collapse and replaced with a bridge of trust. From the kind of words LHC shared with me, I sensed that the suppliers' emotional bank account had been increased. While figuring out a way to solve the issue, both parties were more open, less defensive, and with the same end in mind (H2) - This problem needs to be solve since in the end we need to earn our customer's business & trust.

I was so pleased that everything turned out so well, and what's more seeing the spark in LHC's eyes during his story-telling. He was so excited and proud on how he had managed the situation so well with the help of 7 Habits. The 3-day workshop was time well spent, for sure!

Group 1, Day 2, Habit 1

The return rate of the participation of my sharing session is not that bad, only 1 drop-out from the Day1 session. I am thankful for these 7 colleagues of mine who sacrificed their lunch-hour to hear my humble public speaking skill.

We started the session with a sharing of experience. One friend shared a difficult time he's having with an inconsiderate colleague he called 'monster'. I tried practice emphatic listening, but I think I failed miserably! We exchanged stories about how should one handle people who don't seem to be interested to seek win-win. It's either their way, or the highway kinda guy. Since no solution from the discussion, I suggested to go thru the lesson from Habit 1 to see if we can figure out a way to address such situation proactively.

Below are what we've covered today:

Habit 1: Be Proactive

• Common human challenge we can address with Habit 1
• See-Do-Get
• Forest Gump vs. Lt. Dan Taylor
• Victor E. Frankl
• “How to be proactive?”
- Choose proactive response
- Use proactive language
- Expand your Circle of Influence
- Becoming the transition person
• Review See-Do-Get
• Challenge of the week (from the 7 Habit book)

During my preparation for the sharing session, there's only one image that kept up creeping up in my head when I read about being proactive, the habit of choice - Forest Gump. He may have an IQ of 75, but he sure is a lot wiser about life compared to Lt. Dan Taylor. He seems to be able to separate himself (more subconsciously than consciously, I guess) from his genetic make-up, his surroundings, his circumstances. Lt.Dan was bitter and sour and blame it on God for not killing him in Vietnam, yet too coward to end his own life. In a weird way, Lt.Dan learns to pick up and find himself back with the help of a 'stupid' guy like Forest. I guess, stupid is stupid does. I couldn't help to relate the two main characters in the movie to illustrate the opposite of proactiveness & reactiveness. I sure hope my fellow friends could grasp my intention.

I now realized how much I idolize Forest's mum. I wish I can manage raise such challenging child into a well-grown, fine adult like Forest. She truly is a lot of woman.