Kindness and Compassion in Business

 

The two-day conference titled "企业精英生命成长营" which focused on how to grow your inner-self gave me a rare insight into the application of kindness and compassion as business values. The conference attracted thousands of businessmen and industry leaders with a small delegation from Singapore. 

They did not come to talk about business but to learn and share how the values of kindness and compassion not only enriched their personal lives but how employing these same values in their businesses helped them reap even greater returns (福报). 

There was sharing by 3 panels of speakers over the 2 day period and many in the audience, including men who own listed companies, were moved to tears when the speakers spoke of their personal tragedies in their lives and how major transformations took place after they learned to be more kind and compassionate towards others. 

One CEO spoke of her management issues that led to her factory workers in China going on strikes and complaints to the labour authorities for being overworked and underpaid. Another spoke of how her bitter relationship with her father made a dramatic change after 40 years. Yet another shared how she overcame her long depression and raised her daughter suffering from down's syndrome. 

The message was simple enough. Kindness begets kindness and many of us are so fixated on judging others and not knowing how to feel gratitude. And I will be sharing their stories with you.

My Choice - Whampoa SMC

Today 14 July 2015, marks my last day as a member of NSP. Early in the morning, I sent a text to the party's President to bid him farewell and to wish him and the party well. He responded cordially with his good wishes.

Since stepping down as Secretary-General of NSP, I have been invited by other political parties to join them. Unfortunately, I had to politely decline each of their kind offer. At the breaking-of-fast dinner held at the Islamic Restaurant this evening, attended by representatives of the various alternative parties, I was interviewed by the media and press, and they were interested to know my plans.

I have already made up my mind to go independent and informed the reporters of my intention to contest in Whampoa, one of the places where I have been regularly visiting to do volunteer work in the past years. To some my friends in politics, both the idea of going independent and disclosing my choice of ward to contest in the next election so soon were against conventional political wisdom. But, why should that always be the case? If they earnestly wish to improve the electoral system, they must be ready to challenge conventional wisdom and think out of the box. 

 

I was asked if I was concerned about three-corner fights. This seems to be a common worry for potential candidates and the voters. Again, my thoughts are quite different. I feel that voters are entitled to make their choices and to decide who to vote for without interference. With closed-door negotiations to avoid multi-corner fights, the voters' choices become limited to only those who are allowed to contest by private treaty. That seems to run against the very idea of an open democratic system.

In any event, for a maturing democracy, voters should not be afraid of making choices. If the voters' objective is not to dilute the votes for the alternative party candidates by them agreeing not to engage in three-corner fights, the voters themselves will unwittingly stifle the development of a truly multi-party political system. The voters need to find the courage to face the ballot box just as much as the candidates themselves.

Ultimately, it will be the voters who will decide the outcomes in every election. May the voters not only have the courage to choose but also the wisdom to know how.

A special Payot event

It was a charming catamaran that was set to sail from the Singapore Yacht Club. It has been chartered by SPA, a subsidiary of Luxasia, for a special Payot event.

It was the first time that I was going out to sea with Elson and Jacky and taking a reprieve from our daily schedules. We sailed past St. John's Island and headed towards Lazarus Island to watch the sunset.

I have always enjoyed going out to sea. I used to be canoe enthusiast in my undergraduate days and on holidays, I particularly enjoy cruises. The sound of the waves was simply therapeutic, to say the least, and the winds always so invigorating. The guests were spoiled with plenty of finger-food, wine and soft drinks and the mood was totally relaxing.

We arrived at Lazarus island and the crew began preparing dinner. The spread included barbecued prawns, satay, chicken wings and fried rice. Soon, the sun began to set and the cameras were clicking away. On the return leg, Elson was invited to sing and that started a karaoke session. Joining in the fun, I sang a Chinese romantic ballad, titled Two Butterflies. It's been quite a while since I last sang karaoke.

I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Nature has its healing powers. If you ever feel like getting over your stress, just go listen to the sounds of the sea and enjoy the beautiful sunset. 

NSP Unity Day on 17 May 2015

The National Solidarity Party (NSP) has been actively walking the ground on its outreach programmes. Most of the time when members meet, it's usually about reaching out to the people and promoting the party's initiatives. Members rarely had the chance to sit back and really get to know each other more and there was a need to look into this.

Today, we had our first ever NSP Unity Day. It was organized not only to show appreciation for our Malay Bureau but also to stress the importance of unity amongst members. To promote greater unity, members needed to improve on their understanding of each other. It has often been said: "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". Nothing could be further from this truth. 

I delivered a short speech on the purpose of NSP Unity Day. Everyone listened intently. Before lunch began, the facilitator invited the members to each blow a balloon. A long queue was then formed with the members separated front to back by their inflated balloons. The queue then started to move towards the Malay buffet lunch spread in the hallway. No one was allowed to touch their balloons with their hands and the result was impressive. Not a single balloon was displaced. Having accomplished this first act of unity, lunch began.

The Malay buffet was kindly sponsored by two good friends of mine, namely Mr. Elson Soh and Mr. Jacky Goh. Members enjoyed the lunch spread and thereafter engaged in quizzes and rapport-building games. The party's Asst. Treasurer facilitated this segment well and got the members psyched up for a game that tested their communication skills. The Sender & Receiver game required members to pair up. One gave oral instructions to the other to reproduce a drawing given to the first member. The reproductions were analyzed and several different styles of communications were revealed. 

The members were also quizzed on the identities of inspirational personalities who had repeatedly encountered failures in their lives but persevered to achieve great success. Most knew the right answers. Door gifts and prizes were given at this special event, all of which were kindly sponsored by: Maggie Thai & Chinese Restaurant, Bridal Concept, House of Seafood, Australian Natural Volcanic Spring Water.

The event closed after an open feedback from each member. Everyone supported the aim of NSP Unity Day and were inspired by the words and feelings expressed. All wished that there will be more such events to promote stronger camaraderie. Indeed, a members' retreat has been lined up for members to engage in self-analysis and critical thinking.