Eternal Success Story in the Making

I feel that I am old whenever people come to me and ask advice. But I think it would be wrong not to share what I’ve learned. I do not profess that I know much, but I hope some people could use these tid bit thoughts of mine (sorry for the grammar and spelling). Here you go…

• Most people who are “fast talkers” and good in persuading others are the people you must not lightly give your trust.
• If a business proposal promises you to get rich quickly… it’s a scam. Never enter a business that is closely related to pyramiding… or any of its cleverly devised variants that seems to be legitimate.
• There is no elevator to success… you must take the stairs.
• 8 out of 10; Ang pinoy balasubas pag dating sa pangungutang - Tulfo
• Looks can be deceiving, even an innocent looking woman can do you harm.
• Thieves are real; never think that they will never do it to you. And don’t think that they are dumb ‘coz they are usually smart.
• If something did not turn out the way you plan… get over it and move on.
• If you can’t do something right… it’s your fault! Do it better next time.
• You can do it if you believe you can.
• Set goals early in life.
• Be passionate on what you do.
• If you hate your job… find another one. And don’t give me excuses like “Looking for a new job is hard” crap.
• As much as possible avoid having your friends or relatives as business partners, it’s not worth risking your relationship with them.
• Obey first before you complain at work.
• Your boss, no matter how wrong he was… he is still your boss.
• You can not choose your co-worker neither your boss… get along with them.
• If you are a boss, never treat all your people the same.
• If you’re a supervisor, always do things “by the book” if you want problems like sabotage and backstabbing. There are times that you need to use your heart…. “Lead with your heart and think with your mind”.
• If you reprimand/correct someone, you should have established a good “emotional bank account” with that person. Every sincere praise is a deposit; every feedback/correction/constructive criticism is a withdrawal. Never withdraw more than what you have deposited.
• It’s better to give than to receive.
• If you saw someone you haven’t seen for a long time… leave what you are doing and devote considerable time with him/her.
• The company you work for can easily replace you, but your family can’t and won’t leave you no matter what.
• A relationship not according to God’s will, won’t have a happy ending.

Just right after having lunch, I usually go to my cubicle (yes cubicles) and take my power nap. But sometimes I hear people laugh in a not too distant cubicle… they are telling stories and jokes… in short they are having a great time on their break. I don’t mind the noise because I know that laughing is a form of medicine. But at 12:30 pm I prefer to take my power nap, in order for me to be more productive in the afternoon.

For more info on these techniques…. power nap and laughter

I’ve started working in my new company last August 22 and since then I haven’t really posted anything about my work. I was just overwhelmed by the culture, processes, environment, people and everything… I just don’t know where to start. But now I have decided to start posting my experiences by talking about one of the “core values” being advocated and practiced in my new found second home… and that one value is INTEGRITY.  

Integrity, inspiring trust by taking responsibility, acting ethically and encouraging honest and open debate.

Our company trusts us so in return we take responsibility and act ethically. Woooaaah! Coming from a rigid, military type of company… this seems to be something radical. Isn’t that we must earn the trust of someone first by showing that we are responsible? And not the other way around?

Imagine this:

1. No swipe card or time card to monitor your time-in and time-out of the company. Employees are entrusted to make their own time reports.
2. You can reimburse your travel expenses like taxi fare (without receipts).

Those are some examples wherein the company shows that it trusts its employees. This does not mean that you will not be noticed if you always come to work late. One thing more, the company did an extensive background check of its employees before hiring them so more or less the company hired mature minded professionals. Imagine I need to submit a municipal trial court and a regional trial court certificate that declares that I have no pending, ongoing, past cases. Even an NBI clearance is not enough. NBI is equivalent to the FBI of USA.

With that, I was impressed by the culture of my new company. I really am seeing people living the code. But I’m not saying that 100% of people in here are living the code. With a global organization like this there will always be a Judas among the Disciples. Some are tempted to abuse the company’s trust; like engaging in insider trading, divulging client information. Often these people don’t last long, as they are caught and corresponding disciplinary action are imposed (administrative/civil).

As I am writing this post, I am inside an internet café paying for the use of a computer. Although I have internet access in my workstation, I’m just following a company rule “one must not excessively use company assets like accessing the internet for personal use”. It is allowed but it must not be too much that it affects one’s work. The question is… how much is too much? Gray area…. Just to be safe, I prefer to blog in an internet café. (I miss my computer at home in the province aaaaaahhhh!).

What’s the importance of trusting your employees first? If your employees pride their knowledge and skills (we call them best people), they will surely be productive at work if they are trusted by management. I for one do not like to be “closely” monitored by my superior; I prefer a consulting type of delegation because I know I am responsible enough to finish the job with quality. Best people are people who work best when you let them finish the job with minimal supervision. Since one of the core value of this company is to attract and produce “best people” it is just psychologically logical that the company must trust these best people… in return these best people should live with integrity.

“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”  - Oprah Winfrey