Games and Generations

I have a little story shared by my Japanese friend that I can't resist spreading it further with some real links in our life ka.

My friend was telling us she coached her son how to do his job interview in English. That was as much as she could help because it was her to be amazed learning what her son has been doing.

All the time, she thought (gen BB) her son (M) was far too addicted to playing games. She only learned during the coaching that it was his learning curve about collaboration. He said while he was playing, he learned how to manage his online playmates to win the respective games. He then wrote a blog about his learning to enable others to play the games with success. He also applied what he'd learned to his management in daily life when he was among team members who were on their own ways.

What was more was that some people read his blog and asked him to be a 'game coach'. With no experience in the real world as a coach, he accepted to do it by applying his own knowledge. That team won the prize which made him so proud.

I now realize better when people mention 'gamification for leadership' ka.

These days while having my evening walk, I listen to some book summaries. One I've heard is how we practice our 'virtual' leadership drawing from some game platforms. I thought I understood it but with this story, my understanding is much clearer.

Leadership in the new normal world should combine it as a safe platform for us to try some new things. Besides, we'll learn more about tactics, options and incentives offered to drive the players to keep going back to play. We also know that there's another new type of job needed.

To me, the most important is the principle of collaboration since many games are to play and contest between teams. We can observe how each player in our team behaves and moves to learn how to reach the goal together and at the same time, how our younger gens know much more.....our challenge to realize their potential and help maximize it to the fullest for the real world in the future.

Feel WE the BB are the gen that has to learn much more ka!

Sanuk mak ka...I now don't feel too guilty to play my games:))!

Lots to learn from a one-page report

Happy Monday na ka, everyone.

The past week, I got a little report forwarded from my niece about her two and a half year old who had a minor accident at school. The one-page report told me a lot and so I want to share with you ka.

My grandnephew is at a nursery in London. The place is really nice with playgrounds for the little feet to run around and group activities for parents to join in as well. That was impressive when visiting the school. This time I was even more amazed!

See this report after my little boy tripped na ka!

The report has been well thought out as head injury must be one of the most frequent issues to the point that essential info and advice are all added up.

This one-page tells the parents everything they need to know for minor and major accidents from what the school has done and has to do (filled in the child's folder as a record), how the accident happened, and advice to parents. I particularly like the pictures which are so simple, yet, it tells a whole lot loei ka.

It clearly shows a systematic approach with fine links to related aspects, especially the parents who are key stakeholders.

I've never seen what's done in our country and there could be some too. Yet, looking at this one marks a positive impression for me to feel my little grandnephew is safe in a very professional hand!

linking abilities

Hello to all ka....hope it isn't a blue Monday na ka. I have to admit that Monday wasn't my favorite as it was the beginning of another week of work even after I got out of bed, life was filled with fun running around and projects to move forward.

Last week, I had an opportunity to conduct a workshop for staff of a government agency and my design was for its planning team to meet with international relations office (IRO).

One FAQ was, 'Why does the planning team have to attend the workshop with IR officers?' I think this question has become a classic one, showing how distant we have been from other section/division though we work in one same organization.

After some exercises, it was great for all to know what they were good at (finding it a bit challenging to identify one, obviously), what they could help the other section, and what the other section could help them. They themselves were amazed to find out too.

It shows quite clearly that in an organization, it needs more and consistent leadership and communication abilities to create a solid shared goal where somehow most know what and how to contribute. More importantly, The team needs to see the links other sections can do for them to reach the goal together. Linking abilities are needed and need to be mentioned more often.

Another issue was KM and I'm glad they were eager to initiate some projects to make sure their successors and other sections would be able to use them (tips to capture key issues, networking with the mass media, etc.) Hope to see the projects get started and completed sooner because this is an aging agency and some tacit knowledge is essential for newcomers. IRO may need more time to think and act more proactively for the organization to be recognized nationally and internationally.

In our speedily changing globe, working out of one's silo on 'favorable and agreeable working cultures' (moving away from strong cultural traditions) will allow all to become super-proactive, serving as the key to be real productive and competitive. It takes personal and organizational courage to be so!

Will stay hopeful and manage to help as needed ka.

Meaningful new year visits

A later Happy New Year note to you all kaa!

As usual, during the new year's holidays, I visited my respected seniors who are in their 90's (94 and 95).

My 94-year-old 'uncle'  was a bit more frail and his listening abilities worsen to have a hearing aid. Yet, his brain remains to be sharp and the profits he continues to make from stocks and funds tell it all ka!

He has retained his very positive spirit and I couldn't admire him more. He seems to be the very first one I've known to practice real Buddha's teachings in his life, making himself contented and peaceful.

When he was helped to sit on a wooden armchair at his living room, he was dropped a bit too fast so his leg hit and arm of the chair. Right away, I stood up to help. He only said it was fine and he adjusted himself to sit normally without feeling irritated.

He taught me one good lesson from his action that there's no need to be too serious about everything and that a little mistake could be taken as a 'let go!' And again, he taught me to exercise breathing before going to bed!

The other is 95 years old who can help herself and walk around the house with only some difficulty at times.

She is a very lucky one to have her son and daughter-in-law taking best care of her. It was a really nice time sharing updates from her great memories (she asked me about each and every one of my family members kaa!) I'm very happy for her family as she always expresses her appreciation to her son and his wife how they look after her.

In the real situation, handling a much older person is a huge responsibility and needs lots of patience and understanding. In this case, one fine lesson I got from her was that there could be no end to appreciation ka. It's a source of gumlungjai to the younger who have made their best efforts.

My visits were very meaningful to learn what I should be more aware as I get older and older kaa!