#WhatInspiresMe #PersonalDevelopment #EverybodyMatters

The book Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman & Raj Sisodia presents many interesting concepts. This time round, I’d like to share one, which from my personal experience, holds much truth. 

The most formidable energy in the Universe present in the human person is the power of caring.

Given the 50 over years working with and leading teams, I could not agree more with this proposition.

Realisation

I remember quite vividly one afternoon, many years ago. I was then the CEO of REAL Education, and I was having lunch with Mrs Manormany, the Principal of Sri Suria (a school under the REAL Education Group).

I was livid. I was unable to talk sense to some of the administrative and teaching staff and the issues that kept cropping up were driving me bonkers. 

Mrs Manormany was unfortunate enough to hear me dish out my frustrations, which she did patiently and emphatically.

At the end of the conversation, I had a revelation of sorts. What if I saw staff as family members instead of people whom I encountered at work? In a family, we have disagreements but love and care precede emotions of anger and frustration and this always opens a path to amicable and positive resolve.

What Ticks

So, I began to change the way I dealt with the people I led and I realised that when I cared enough to understand what makes a person tick, great things can come to be, for me and for the other person.

The book characterises this as humanising process and cultivating responsible freedom. As a leader, I have experienced that when we care and invite people to be part of a process, it creates value for everyone.  To me, the recognition of the true essence of the human spirit is an important intersection in how we conduct business.

I hope to develop this thought with you as we go along, but for now I sign off with the following questions:

1. 1. 1. Can a corporate culture of “Mistrust & Insecurity” be transformed into one of “Care & Fulfilment”?  
      2. Have you witnessed the extraordinary power of ‘caring like family’ within your organisation?

Share your experiences and stories with us.

Have a great week ahead.

Dr Sim Quan Seng