Moderating

I had the opportunity to moderate a sort of focus group discussion comprising senior members of my organisation. Although I have had many opportunities to witness different moderators in action over the years, and some very good ones like Prof Tommy and Kishore, it is quite different when one has to personally do it.

As part of my preparation, I pored through many websites googled using the key words 'moderator', 'discussion' etc to tap on the wealth of experienced moderators. With that, I was able to form an impression of how I should exercise this role.

At the beginning of the session, I informed everyone that my role was to keep the discussion going and to make sure that every one has a chance to speak. I also made a mental note not to influence the discussion by way of offering my personal opinion on the issues.

As the websites have forewarned me, I was not surprised that the starting phase was the most difficult and my aim therefore was to simply get through this warm-up phase by arrowing people to speak and not being overly concerned of the relevance they are making. I admitted I was rather lost at this stage as the comments made were rather off the mark and mother-hood. Both the group and this greenhorn moderator had to struggle to get the momentum going. After 20 mins or so, I could sense that the mood was getting better and the conversation was flowing.

To keep the discussion going, I found it useful to string together (1) points of views for background, current actions and actions going forward and (2) segregating people in their functional responsibilities, e.g. technology, operations.

Needless to say, my CPU was overclocking throughout the 90 mins taking down the main points, stringing them together, summarising them and leading the discussion to the next point while staying close to the topic.

To sum up my experience in the role of a moderator, it is to balance and manage the divergence and convergence of ideas. You need divergence to get the breadth but however need to converge the views so that they do not stray too far away from the theme.

I was quite happy when the Big Boss signalled for me to close the session and in his closing remarks say that the discussion was fruitful although initially he did not think the discussion could last the allocated 90 mins.

Water will find its level

This is somewhat related to 'Big Boss Shares' because he mentioned this phrase. I took it to mean that one will end up in a position suited to one's capabilities. I googled this phrase and found this very interesting blog post with the same title.

In his post, the blogger, apparently an officer in the US foreign service, contemplates the concept of promotion in the workplace after he has gone through another appraisal exercise and shares his insights.

Some nuggets of his balanced view and insight:

"...promotions are correlated to actual merit, but certainly not perfectly correlated."

"In my observation, chronic underperformers are those that avoid responsibility and refuse to make consequent decisions... In choosing mediocrity, they cannot be blamed for failure, but they also never have the opportunity to succeed."

"It is not only your right, but your proactive duty to ensure that you can make a contribution commensurate with your capacity."

Big Boss Shares (2) - Mee Pok

Big Boss says he is increasingly asking for no oil in his morning mee pok for a healthier lifestyle. But he says intelligent (himself?) people can often rationalise things to suit one's behavior.

He recalled he wanted to eat yong tau foo at the Ghim Moh hawker centre but the stall was closed. So he rationalised his choices and queued up for char kway teow instead.

He also remembered when he was in his 40s, when he hear the person in front of the queue ask for no oil in his meepok, he would wonder what kind of meepok it is without pork lard and oil!

I feel the same way now too, I still love my pork lard and prawn heads =)

Big Boss shares....

Big boss gave a rare informal sharing in office yesterday. Before the talk, he said that he is sharing as an individual. There were many interesting points I remembered.

The first anecdote he shared was Colin Powell's answer to a 2nd Lieutenant who asked Powell what is the secret to becoming a general. Powell said to work hard and deliver results everyday. The 2LT was excited and said that was all needed to be a general? Powell's reply was that was all you need to be a 1ST Lieutenant and you have to do it over and over again until you become a general.

The 2nd point I remembered he emphasised was the maxim "Do not reject tasks". It has now become a running joke in the office whenever our supervisor assigns us a new job. We look at each other and say "do not reject the task!"

The 3rd point I remembered was the readings he recommended. The 1st was the book "Talent is Overrated" and the 2nd was a HBR article titled "Managing Your Boss".

Met Senyuen today

Today (Thursday) was the day of my weekly run with my colleagues. As I was slowly plodding along the long and lonely road populated with 'atas' bungalows, I noticed a fellow jogger approaching in the opposite direction. I did not pay much attention until he called my name.

Senyuen is my senior in NTUBS and a musical talent. He taught himself music, how to play the piano and later learnt arrangement and producing.

We spent around 2 mins catching up before saying our goodbyes and continuing with our sweaty business.

Strange People

I know that people are different, behave differently, have been brought up differently, that's why we see things differently.

But I still cannot comprehend why some of my colleagues, when I meet them in the office, just refused to have eye contact.

And this evening on my way back home, I met this real strange and inconsiderate guy at the lobby. We were all waiting for the lift, this guy, me and a maid with her charge. The lobby was not big so everyone knows who are the parties that will be taking the lift together.

This guy was nearest to the lift so he entered first. A normal person will press the button for his floor and then press 'OPEN' to wait for the rest right? Not this idiot. He pressed '6' and then the 'CLOSE' button and moved to stand at the back of the lift, when I am just behind him and the maid and the little girl with her waiting to enter the lift.

What an idiot.

UP

WARNING: If you have yet to watch Pixar's animated film "UP". In order not to spoil the anticipation and suspense, you may not want to read this.

Caught the movie yesterday. First time in 3D format. :)

Something which I wanna watch long time. It has got many good reviews. I remember reading somewhere that "...it's almost impossible for Pixar to make a bad film..." I couldn't agree more.

Watching its trailer, the chubby boy and the grumpy old man amused me and I was thinking they made a good pair for some good humour! True enough, they did. BUT what carved a deeper impression in me was the love between Carl and Ellie. Both sought to go on the same adventure. Despite trying their best, they could not get there together... but Carl (the grumpy old man), for the love to his wife, was determined to fulfil her dreams.

Ok, trying not to say too much here, just in case I will spoil the fun. But a few scenes really brought tears to my eyes. Besides the first 15 mins or so, I particularly love the scene with old Carl flipping the same old pages of Ellie's adventure book... until the last few pages showing photos of the 2 of them, leading a loving marriage till their hair turned grey. And the words Ellie puts on the last page, simply "awwwwww..."

Catch it in the theatre! You will love it.

K 歌之 Night - 完结

期盼多日，昨夜终于K 歌一夜，星光灿烂，痛唱尽欢。 ‘迪克。荣’作为首席唱将，学友上身，一夜霸麦，耐力十足，不愧狂野之‘荣’。

我们‘其他歌手’安于作为陪衬，偶尔锦上添花，也已算满足。

良友久久一聚，特显珍贵，期待他日再聚首。