The Wise Old Man
Several years ago, I had a boss-turned colleague. After the company
where he owned a major share was acquired, he was no longer my boss. Let’s call
him Mr. C. Until today, Mr. C is one of the wisest men I ever met and taught me
so much in life and work. In the course of Mr. C’s career, he held MD/ED
positions for more 30 years and had numerous stakes in other companies as major
shareholders. He also invested in shares, property etc. Mr.C is not an entrepreneur by nature, but he takes calculated risk.
It was him who told me that his lifelong investments had failures, but he won 7
out of 10. And those he won were substantially bigger stake. He also said “in business, risk is essential to grow!”
where he owned a major share was acquired, he was no longer my boss. Let’s call
him Mr. C. Until today, Mr. C is one of the wisest men I ever met and taught me
so much in life and work. In the course of Mr. C’s career, he held MD/ED
positions for more 30 years and had numerous stakes in other companies as major
shareholders. He also invested in shares, property etc. Mr.C is not an entrepreneur by nature, but he takes calculated risk.
It was him who told me that his lifelong investments had failures, but he won 7
out of 10. And those he won were substantially bigger stake. He also said “in business, risk is essential to grow!”
As colleagues, I remember lamenting to him all the negativities about
the company and how this company has one of the worst cultures I ever seen after a change in management. He smiled and always said to me…
the company and how this company has one of the worst cultures I ever seen after a change in management. He smiled and always said to me…
“if it’s just for work, anywhere is the
same!”
same!”
What he was trying to imply is:
“The problems that unsettle you now in your current company may be
eradicated in the new company you going to join. But very often, new found
problems you never possibly anticipate will emerge in the new company after you
join.”
eradicated in the new company you going to join. But very often, new found
problems you never possibly anticipate will emerge in the new company after you
join.”
Mr. C further advised that:
“The reasons for resigning must be for progression, to learn more and assuming
a bigger role, not solely because there are many work related problems in your
current company that push you towards resigning. The fact that you cannot even manage
the current company problems, what makes you think that you can manage new set
of problems in the new company?”
a bigger role, not solely because there are many work related problems in your
current company that push you towards resigning. The fact that you cannot even manage
the current company problems, what makes you think that you can manage new set
of problems in the new company?”
Problems are just everywhere in all companies. It is how you react that
matters! Refer to SMOL blog on “It’s how I React that matters”
matters! Refer to SMOL blog on “It’s how I React that matters”
Reasons
for Resigning – Pull Factors
for Resigning – Pull Factors
Please
do not get me wrong! It is not the intention of this article to go against
resigning and looking for greener pasture.
do not get me wrong! It is not the intention of this article to go against
resigning and looking for greener pasture.
Changes are absolutely necessary in our career, seeking for progression.
Being stagnant is the biggest risk that most people are unaware. The essence, however
is prior to the changes, we ought to be crystal clear about the reasons, and
asked ourselves if we already tuned our mindset to prepare for the change.
Being stagnant is the biggest risk that most people are unaware. The essence, however
is prior to the changes, we ought to be crystal clear about the reasons, and
asked ourselves if we already tuned our mindset to prepare for the change.
Some examples of justifiable reasons for resigning listed as
follows:
follows:
Progression
Very important. The new role needs to provide you with more
exposures and more learning experiences. Different stages of your career,
requires different exposures. For younger people, do not be overly eager to progress
too fast, but that’s not to say that you should be stagnant. Grow yourself, just like any investments at steady upward pace. More
haste less speed, is what we always say.
exposures and more learning experiences. Different stages of your career,
requires different exposures. For younger people, do not be overly eager to progress
too fast, but that’s not to say that you should be stagnant. Grow yourself, just like any investments at steady upward pace. More
haste less speed, is what we always say.
To Be a Manager
I
encountered many friends that tell me they are looking for a new job, because
they want to be a manager. When I asked them what it
takes to be manager, some said a manager must have at least 5-10 years of
working experience as engineer or executive. Some said they can be the manager,
because are very good at their current job. They can do the job that requires
two other colleagues to perform. Hmmm….with aforementioned attributes, you can
be a manager, but the kind of manager that only manages yourself without any subordinates!
encountered many friends that tell me they are looking for a new job, because
they want to be a manager. When I asked them what it
takes to be manager, some said a manager must have at least 5-10 years of
working experience as engineer or executive. Some said they can be the manager,
because are very good at their current job. They can do the job that requires
two other colleagues to perform. Hmmm….with aforementioned attributes, you can
be a manager, but the kind of manager that only manages yourself without any subordinates!
Before
becoming a manager, one must have the mindset of a manager. One must also understand
the attributes to be a good manager. Grab and read some books on management.
Learn from other managers around you. Observe their strong and weak points.
Instilled the positive and filter the negatives. Remember not to think so highly about yourself.
becoming a manager, one must have the mindset of a manager. One must also understand
the attributes to be a good manager. Grab and read some books on management.
Learn from other managers around you. Observe their strong and weak points.
Instilled the positive and filter the negatives. Remember not to think so highly about yourself.
In
an ideal company comprise of good management with integrity, a good manager is a
leader who put the company interest first, before personal/ department gain. A good manager sets direction, implements systems/rules, manages
and motivates their subordinate, so that overall productivity is improved.
Unlike what most people think, a good manager is not one that does the 2 or 3 x
subordinate jobs, and not one that he can out-work or out performs his
subordinate.
an ideal company comprise of good management with integrity, a good manager is a
leader who put the company interest first, before personal/ department gain. A good manager sets direction, implements systems/rules, manages
and motivates their subordinate, so that overall productivity is improved.
Unlike what most people think, a good manager is not one that does the 2 or 3 x
subordinate jobs, and not one that he can out-work or out performs his
subordinate.
If
you think you are already capable to be a manager, behave like one and not act
like one.
you think you are already capable to be a manager, behave like one and not act
like one.
Salary
With
growing expenses, marriage, house, children etc, remuneration is always
important. Those
who tell you that money is not important, only passion and job satisfaction are,
is pretty much “bull shit” in our current meritocratic society. That being said,
money cannot be the sole reason.
growing expenses, marriage, house, children etc, remuneration is always
important. Those
who tell you that money is not important, only passion and job satisfaction are,
is pretty much “bull shit” in our current meritocratic society. That being said,
money cannot be the sole reason.
Switch from Temp/Contract to Permanent Job
If you are not starting your own company, it is always
important to have a full time job for stability and to enjoy the essential
company benefits that one deserves rather than a temp one.
important to have a full time job for stability and to enjoy the essential
company benefits that one deserves rather than a temp one.
Reasons for Resigning – Push Factors
Boss Hates Me
With a boss who pick at you all the time with no valid reasons,
probably it’s time to go if you are seeking progression. If your boss is purely
biased against you, you will never be treated fairly for any opportunity progression.
Unless you are patient enough to wait until he was removed. It can be as long
as tens of years? You decide?
probably it’s time to go if you are seeking progression. If your boss is purely
biased against you, you will never be treated fairly for any opportunity progression.
Unless you are patient enough to wait until he was removed. It can be as long
as tens of years? You decide?
No More Job Satisfactions
Your initial reason/mission for joining the current company
was already successfully completed. And for a long time, current job has been
too routine to fulfil your appetite of constantly improving yourself to achieve
greater success. Then it’s time to ponder. But before leaving the
company at first instance, do have a heart to heart talk with your superior. There
may exist internal opportunities within the company, but in a different role or
different department for progression.
was already successfully completed. And for a long time, current job has been
too routine to fulfil your appetite of constantly improving yourself to achieve
greater success. Then it’s time to ponder. But before leaving the
company at first instance, do have a heart to heart talk with your superior. There
may exist internal opportunities within the company, but in a different role or
different department for progression.
Illness
Not long after graduation, I worked in a job which required
me to constantly perform work onboard offshore rigs, marine vessels, other sites
etc at irregular hours without proper timings in meals. I left the company
after more than two years due to gastric problems.
me to constantly perform work onboard offshore rigs, marine vessels, other sites
etc at irregular hours without proper timings in meals. I left the company
after more than two years due to gastric problems.
Schedules and Timing
E.g. from irregular shift work to normal working hours. Or for reasons of more
time for family, children instead of flying non-stop.
time for family, children instead of flying non-stop.
Relocation
Several years back, I had a colleague who quit a job because
he needed to be back in Singapore after being located in China for many years. He
loves his job in China but his wife is already losing control of their daughter
who is in her teenage age of being very rebellious. It’s a pity for him that after he resigned from that job, he was never able to find a job that he
enjoyed as much. For what he lost in job satisfaction, his daughter is now in reputable
university supported by scholarships.
he needed to be back in Singapore after being located in China for many years. He
loves his job in China but his wife is already losing control of their daughter
who is in her teenage age of being very rebellious. It’s a pity for him that after he resigned from that job, he was never able to find a job that he
enjoyed as much. For what he lost in job satisfaction, his daughter is now in reputable
university supported by scholarships.
Going Back to School
Difficult work environment
For this reason, do review your options for staying as
describe below.
describe below.
Options for Staying – Stop blaming for a minute…Review yourself!
Very often, you can find employees who blame the company culture, blame
the boss, blame their colleagues, blame their clients, blame their suppliers
etc…But they never blame themselves because they are the most perfect, and better
than everyone in the company???
the boss, blame their colleagues, blame their clients, blame their suppliers
etc…But they never blame themselves because they are the most perfect, and better
than everyone in the company???
Reviewing Yourself….. Ask:
- Is there sufficient communication with your superior about
your problems? - When telling problems to your boss about someone/something,
are you careful enough with your words? - Is your words/tone more finger pointing and blaming, or is it
aiming constructively to create greater benefits for the department/company? - Is your boss really unreasonable or are we not receptive to
changes ourselves? - Is your EQ or your interpersonal skills good? Or are you only
work capable individually without being able to cooperate with most colleagues? - Is there a better way of managing colleagues / subordinates?
- Did we try our best to improve to overcome the problems
first, before always seeking for superior assistance at first instance? - Did we always provide our boss with problems, or we do we
also suggest various solutions to problems? - Did we put ourselves in your boss/management’s shoe,
understanding that they may have untold reasons from a management point of view? - Did we complain for the sake of complaining?
Related Posts:
Hi Rolf,
I totally agree with the following statement you made:
"Those who tell you that money is not important, only passion and job satisfaction are, is pretty much “bull shit” in our current meritocratic society."
This is statement resonated even more once I grew older. I've talked to a few younger friends/acquaintances and some still have such idealistic work about passion and job satisfaction. I feel that most of them are usually from rather well-to-do background. I am not trying to over-generalise but this is from my experience. There are a small handful who are around my age who are still so idealistic as well.
Cheers,
Naro
Hi Naro,
Thanks for the comments. I agree with you. We must be practical. No bread n butter, how to talk about LOVE! Read one of my previous posts relating to passion here…..
https://rolfsuey.com/2014/03/understand-rolf-suey-understand-yourself.html?m=1
Excerpt below.
"Many people say passion is the most important attribute to be successful. It is absolutely correct. To excel in what you do, you have to preserve in what you do. In order to preserve and overcome challenges, you have to have a lot of passion. Have you ever wondered "Passion of Christ = Jesus = suffering on behalf of people"
Passion literally means “to suffer” in Latin. It is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling, enthusiasm, or desire for anything.
Never misuse Passion for Excuse.
Passion has to make economical sense.
Passion has to be sustainable.
You have to love what you do for many years or forever. It is not passion for 3 days, 3 months or even 3 years is considered too short. "
Wish you and family a happy new year ahead. Good health and good health.
Rolf
Rolf,
Wow! Got red, blue, green fonts… You took some psychedelic drugs didn't you?
I think we have got similar mentors 😉
Leaving to "escape" is not the same as leaving to achieve.
If the problem lies within us, no matter where we go, we will still be miserable.
Success is what we have to give up to achieve it.
I can identify with you friend who gave up his job in China for the sake of the family/daughter.
I've seen too many divorces during my tour of duty in Shanghai.
That's the problem with silo vision goal settings and career planning. Plan this plan that, in the end, mess up the thing that matters most…
Hi SMOL,
You huh…always all the chim chim words. I had to google what is psychedelic and realise it is LSD.
Seems from your blogpost comments of Cash Vs Net asset, you guys are very familiar with Geylang. LOL….Maybe can check if LSD can be avail there?
I color blind, I can only see all black….hahaha.
Those who end up in divorce after going Shanghai forget to wipe their mouth after eating! Law of conservation of mass/energy. The gain has to be lost somewhere!
Plan to clear the Mess eventually!
Tomorrow New Year Eve, it’s time to plan!
Ciao for now. Hahaha
Rolf
Thank you!
Hi LC,
This post is founded by you. Without your questions in the previous comments, I will not have written this.
I have to thank you more!
Wish you a successful and happy career ahead in 2015 and many more thereafter.
Rolf,
These two parts are excellent autopsy! I am glad of my decision. There are many points you raised which I agree and relate totally. This morning, I share this link to a friend who is harboring bye bye company thoughts. I hope it will benefit her too.
I have bookmarked!
Thank you once again! Wish you a fantastic 2015 and looking forward to many of your wonderful postings!
Hi LC,
Thanks for the forwarding. 2015 in economical terms as a whole not so favorable, so hopefully after deep thoughts she makes the right decision, irregardless the outcome.
Meanwhile, I wish you splendid 2015.
Hi Rolf
This is one of your best posts I've read in your blog. I gotta bookmarked it in case I need to show to other people who need it.
Your boss is definitely right. Many times we do not review ourselves enough and we are seeking to move to run away from our problems. Not long enough the same problem will occur again in the new company.
Many times people has mistaken a a manager role to be a better individual role. But a manager real role is to managing people. Training people and people management are one of the hardest to do in a corporate world. There needs to be a balance between the two.
Very good post.
Thank you
Hi B,
I already fell off my music chair! Hope others manage to finish reading before sleeping, if you show them.
Ah….now you know why you are one of my favourite bloggers. LOL.
My wise ex-boss, “eat salt more than I eat rice, walk bridge more than I walk road”. Exposures and experiences always create a clearer mind.
There was once, I use to think that I am young, smart, and result oriented, and can work until 3am each day! All the old managers only talk talk talk and no work and yet get so high salary. I always think that a company does not need too much of all these people.
I am WRONG. First I was hospitalized after working so stupidly hard forsaking my health! Second, their experiences do makes a difference positively in times of making critical decision, whereby the results can sometimes outweigh my sacrifices of sleep!
As for the manager, you are right. Manager is to Manage…..
Note however I highlighted “In an ideal company comprise of good management with integrity…”
Different situation use different rules. If the manager’s boss is not the “real manager” and only want you to get the results (department gains over company gains) and not so much on the grooming of subordinate or have good inter-department relationship, then I am afraid all your effort in grooming and motivating will not be recognized by this boss. Worst, he will say why are you wasting all these time and not focus on the tangible results!
Unfortunately for me, my current boss is not the “real manager!” I had to adapt, facilitate and balance. Not easy…..SURVIVAL…. ! 家家有本难念的经！Assume you read Chinese.
Now 新年快乐！ Hahahaha
I quietly want to earn more than my boss.
Hmm.. must not get caught as I type this comment. LOL!
Read? Earning more than your boss?
May be my boss could be one of those silent readers?
"CreaeWealth8888 said: "I agreed with Frank. Never gamble. I don't do professional gambling like trading FOREX where there is no assets involved, you are basically playing professional poker game with your retail forex brokers. I like to take risks with stocks that are paying regular dividends that are better than CPF rate of 2.5%,and prefer blue chips that our government has a hand or leg in it and if necessary the government men will kick the asses of those management."
Listen to the master!
You are your boss's boss outside office hours. Hahahaha..