A CRISP REMINDER ABOUT CHANGE LEADERSHIP

Don't talk to people about "changing"; talk to them about doing something different.

Thinking drives behaviour.

Change the thinking, not the behaviour.

As a change leader, your job is to create a stimulating environment where change can really flourish.

A change leader must:

- know your people & your business;

- insist on realism;

- set clear goals & priorities;

- follow-through;

- reward the doers;

- expand people's capacities & capabilities;

- know yourself;

WHY SMART PEOPLE DO BIZARRE THINGS

Recently, unwittingly, I got myself engaged in three inexplicable incidents involving three seemingly intelligent professionals.

I was directly engaged in two of them, but the third was through a recount from a good friend, even though I knew the poor guy.

Nonetheless, the three gentlemen had done a variety of idiotic acts, which they were smart enough to know better.

To avoid any sensitive repercussions, I have decided not to describe the incidents in detail.

However, what has actually intrigued me most is why did these smart persons push themselves into what I like to call "self-destruct mode".

While searching for some answers to satisfy my curiosity, I scouted the net & found a book, 'Why Smart People Do Dumb Things', by a reportedly world-acclaimed industrial psychologist, Dr Mortimer Feinberg.

Interestingly, I became fascinated by a quick snapshot of the Table of Contents (Thanks to 'LookInside' at amazon):

- Introduction: What's the Problem?
- Smart Screw Ups Anonymous is in Session;
- Seeking the Virus of Self Destruct Intelligence;
- Narcissism & the Disconnect Effect;
- Inmania: The Danger of Insulation from Criticism;
- The Arrogance of Intelligence;
- The Unconscious Need to Fail;
- e Pluribus Stupiditas: Collective Dumbness;

One particular passage in the book has also caught my immediate attention:

"...intelligent people suffer extreme logic override: reality blindness...they act in defiance of realities that are obvious to persons of far lower cognitive capacity... blindness to reality is a function of narcissism, which builds up their self absorption so high that they lose sight of the real world..."

This sounds more like intellectual arrogance to me!

The book was unfortunately written in 1995, but I have decided to order a second-hand copy from alibris. Hopefully, I can get an adequate explanation about some aspects of human stupidity, so to speak.

NOTES FROM MY SCRATCHPAD: STAYING ALIVE

Here are some quick notes which I took recently while reading an online article, but I have forgotten to record the source:

1) adopt a feisty attitude;

2) be very intentional about the way you go about your daily activities;

3) feel optimistic about your future;

4) stay active, stay engaged;

5) pay attention to maintaining your health;

6) don't let anything worry you;

7) have friends of all ages;

TODAY'S VIP (VERY IMPORTANT POSE)

"The future challenges us to examine and prepare in advance to solve the problems which it has in store for us, problems which may well overwhelm us with their sudden onslaught if we do not anticipate them. It is the not-yet-existent future, or certain special possibilities out of a numberless infinity of possible futures, which throws light or shadow on the present...[And an] adequate response to the ever-shifting challenge of a rapidly
changing future can be nothing less than a comprehensive and inspiring vision of the future!"

~ Fred Polak, Dutch scholar writing in his magnum opus, 'The Image of the Future' (1961);

TODAY'S Q2P (QUESTIONS TO PONDER)

What one specific activity would have the greatest impact on bringing my masterplan to fruition?

What is the one specific activity that I most need to execute this week?

What do I feel inspired & ready to do today?

IT'S A BIRD! IT'S A PLANE! IT'S SUPERMAN!

This colourful poster of the American superhero, 'Superman', at the Bugis Junction shopping mall on North Bridge Road, certainly jogged my sweet memories.

I remember, as a young teenager with growing pains during the fifties, I was often mesmerised when reading comics about a mild-mannered reporter of the Daily Planet, Kent Clark, who often turned himself into a man of steel when urgent help was needed.

He was always "Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!"

With the advent of television during the sixties, I was often glued to the series of 'Adventures of Superman', starring George Reeves.

It just strikes me that two puzzling questions as follows still bug me till today whenever I think about the superhero:

1) why did he wear his undershorts on the outside?

2) why did he duck whenever some bad guys threw some projectiles at him, when he could easily deflect flying bullets?

Can somebody out there throw some light on these questions of mine?


[The foregoing retail boutique at the Bugis Junction sells all the Superman's paraphernalia.]

TODAY'S VIP (VERY IMPORTANT POSE)

"From this point on, there is a growing realization that man's future may be literally what he chooses to make it, and that the ranges of choice and the degree of conscious control which he may exercise in determining his future are unprecedented. ... The outcome of the futures chosen will depend in turn on our ability to conceptualize them in humanly desirable terms... There is, in this sense, no future other than as we will it to be."

~ from John McHale, one of the founding fathers of futures research:

FINDING THE PATHWAY TO SUCCESSFUL AGING

Here's the link to an interesting article by Dr Susan Whitbourne in the 'Everyday Psychology News Aggregator'.

Her exploration of several possible pathways to successful aging, & her five tips to turning your pathway into a successful one are worth reading.

By the way, her other articles on her 'Fulfillment at Any Age' weblog with Psychology Today are also worth reading.

She has in fact written a book, entitled 'The Search for Fulfillment: Revolutionary New Research that Reveals the Secret to Long-Term Happiness' (to be released in January 2010). Here's the link to her corporate website.

DREAMS, HOPE & VISION

"Dreams give us hope.
Hope ignites Passion.
Passion leads us to enVision success.
Visions of success open our minds to recognize possibilities."

~ Debbie Kennedy;

"Far-reaching Possibilities help us enlist Support from others.
Support from others keeps us focus & committed.
Focus & commitment fosters Action.

Action leads to Progress.
Progress leads to Achievement.
Achievement inspires Dreams.
Dreams give us hope."

~ Joel Arthur Barker;

[Source: A Powerpoint Presentation by author, futurist & film-maker Joel Arthur Barker, 'The Next 10 Years: A Choice of Visions" (available on slideshare);]

TODAY'S VIP (VERY IMPORTANT POSE)

"Everything in your life is there as a vehicle for your transformation. Use it!"

~ Ram Dass, author & spiritual teacher;

NOTES FROM MY SCRATCHPAD: SUSTAINING A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE EVERYDAY

Here are some excellent suggestions from success coach Brian Tracy:

1) Whatever challenges you face, focus on the future;

2) Whenever you are faced with difficulty or obstacles, focus on the solution;

3) Assume that something good is hidden within each difficulty or challenge;

4) Assume that whatever situation you are facing at the moment is exactly the right situation you need to ultimately be successful.

5) In every challenge, look for the valuable lesson;

6) To sustain your positivity all the time, make - & execute - a daily to-do list, in line with your life goals;

WON'T YOU TAKE ME TO FUNKYTOWN? THAT'S FAR EAST PLAZA ON SCOTTS ROAD!

Whenever I step into the Far East Plaza shopping mall located on Scotts Road with my wife, for our regular window-shopping spree, I always seem to hear the popular disco song of the early 80's, 'Funkytown', reverberating in my head.

"... keep me moving, keep me grooving with some energy..."

Incidentally, the song was featured in the soundtrack of the second 'Shrek' cartoon movie, which I had watched recently on StarHub cable television.

My wife & I simply love to pop into my 'Funkytown', so to speak, once in a while, especially the basement & the two upper floors, where young Singaporeans love to hang out, amidst the bustle of all the little shops, 3m by 3m, that sell all the unique & fashionable Korean & Japanese urban street-wear.

My wife has often remarked that I stood out like a sore thumb while visiting the funky place, mingling with the flashily-dressed younger Gen Yers.

As I recall, Far East Plaza was built in the mid-80's. At one point in time, it was very run-down, almost grungy & grubby.

In recent years, it has been spruced up, but has never been able to match the shining glamour of the surrounding shopping malls on Orchard Road.

Nonetheless, it has its own unrivalled "sense of edginess" by virtue of its staggered-profile frontage on the street level along Scotts Road, which seems to carve out a sheltered urban space that is popular as a "water-hole" with young Singaporeans, especially those who are really into the subculture phenomenon, as well as visiting tourists.

The vibrancy & energy of the place, as I sense it, is almost likened to the flamboyant Harajuku street scene of Tokyo, Japan, although most people may argue that here it is more subdued in a way.

For the visiting tourists, there is a startling array of shops dealing with electronics & cameras, tailored suits & safari jackets, sports shoes & leather bags, polo shirts & denim jeans, music CDs & iPods, eye-wear, luggage, & other fashion knick-knacks at "bargainable" prices. It's really a good place to haggle, or rather to test your power of persuasion!

Besides many restaurants on the upper floor, & various fast-food joints serving ethnic cuisine in the basement, plus hair-dressing & beauty saloons, located all over the place, Far East Plaza apparently has the largest concentration of tattoo parlours in Singapore.

So, if you want your face & body to be tortured, this is the place. I am told that the best tattoo artists in the country can be found at Far East Plaza.

Meanwhile, readers can enjoy some of my digital snapshots as shown below.

Actually, they don't do true justice as mine is not a professional photoshoot sojourn.

In other words, you have to drop into my 'Funkytown' to see - or rather to feel the vibrancy & energy of the place - for yourself.












Even the entrance to the toilets at Far East Plaza is funky!

TODAY'S Q2P (QUESTIONS TO PONDER)

1) What would I try to accomplish if I couldn't fail?

2) What would I do if I win the lottery & had no financial constraints?

3) At what point in my life was I most excited about my future?

4) What do I want my life to be like in 50 years?

[Source: Dr Stephen Kraus, success scientist, & also author of 'Psychological Foundations of Success';]