If you are a leader...

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

—Max DePree

The first thing you should do is communicate what you want, where to go, how to do it and predict the outcome. Many team players are lost, not just in translation, but direction. Of course, aim something that is achievable.

Then, while you are working with your team, be a servant. Offer a snack. Brew coffee. Tap them on the shoulders and commend them for working hard. Ask if there are things that you need to clarify. Don't wait till your staff mess up. Guide them and give concrete instructions.

Lastly, THANK the team. It shows that leaders can't do ALL THE WORK on their own. Every member of the team has valuable contribution. JUST THANK THEM.

Then, celebrate for job well done.

Good Noise

Compared to 2010's advent, 2011's New Year greetings were sent at Facebook rather than SMS. People shout on their walls what's on their mind. You'll find friends talking about the food they ate, the recent movie they saw, the gossip they got during the day...some even sell stuffs and brands solicit elusive "Likes". Everyday, we "hear" shouts from this phenomenal social networking site.

The noise we make is the silence within us. And the voice people hear from us has an impact to others. What we shout has a strong relation with what we think and feel. That's why the scripture says the mouth is the channel of the overflowing heart. In this modern times, our fingers do the work for our mouth.

We can't change what others heard from us but we can commit to be more careful on what to say. Are we going to inspire or tear down? It's good to examine each day what impact we brought to others, to family, friends, classmates, colleagues...to the people we meet.