Memories...
Friday, August 31, 2007
LEADERSHIP RENEWAL
I went for both the Soci Soc AGM and the PS Soc AGM just now..running here and there between Lt12 and the PS Lounge coz they were held concurrently.
But it was most certainly worth it. =)
Words can't describe the elation and delight I felt, seeing 2 of my OGLs Harris and Shafiq, being elected as President of the PS Soc and Soci Soc respectively. These are 2 extremely capable young men, who after much thought, had decided to rise out of their respective comfort zones to rerun and lead 2 new groups of people in their respective societies. I think their courage and selflessness deserve a lot of respect and support.
I m not sure how to put it, but I live my life constantly on the lookout for new talents to groom and to encourage them to rise to take their place in history. Maybe its becoz I believe that at the end of the dae, a true leader should not only sit back and enjoy the fruits of his or her successful term, but also nurture and train those around him or her to become leaders as well. In reality, that is one of the hardest things to achieve, becoz it requires determination, tenacity, and courage from the respective individuals themselves to want to rise and become leaders themselves.
Having said that, it does not mean at all that I only enjoy asking people to become leaders, or eg. run for any particular Presidency or chairmanship just so to "prove" that I have an eye for scouting talents. I have nothing to prove to anyone or myself.
Rather, my point is that when I see young individuals with massive potential for leadership, I really really want to help them fulfill that potential, because I know how great they can really rise up to be, and that if they give themselves that 1 chance, just that 1 chance, the limit to which they can grow both mentally and emotionally is infinite.
And this growth in them will stay and last with them not just thru their 1 year in office as leaders but for the rest of their life.
The unfortunate thing on many occasions is that at times, these young individuals are not able to see for themselves the light at the end of the tunnel. They see only the darkness beyond their palms, smell only the stench of the sewers, and feel only the coldness of the air. Their lenses are tainted with perspiration and they long simply for the diet coke rather than the ice cold Corona beer waiting for them at the end of the tunnel.
There is absolutely nothing wrong though, in going for that diet coke rather than the ice cold Corona beer, but sometimes they forget that as what Eminem sang in 8 Mile:
"You better never let it go, You only got 1 shot. Do not miss your chance to blow, coz opportunity comes once in a lifetime".
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And the greatest mistake that leaders are often guilty of is to just relak and step down thinking that they can now simply ride off into the sunset, whilst neglecting the leadership renewal and regeneration process. It smacks of laziness, short-sightedness, and great irresponsibility.
Lee Kuan Yew was a great political leader becoz he understood the importance of leadership renewal and regeneration of the party machinery and organization. He devoted massive amounts of time, energy, and effort in seeking out a capable and committed 2nd wave of PAP leaders to replace the Old Guard. That is 1 of the reasons why the PAP has enjoyed sustained success for decades.
And by actively seeking out and spending lots of time to convince young talents to join the PAP (often through coffee sessions and over dinners), he taught us 1 one lesson: Which is that sitting around doing nothing, or just leaving everything to chance or fate is not going to bring you the best talents out there in the field.
In any case, congrats once again to Shafiq, Harris, Claryce, Wilson, Justina and Natalie!! =)
