On Air !

We were in the car listening to an interview on radio FM93.8 this afternoon. The DJ was interviewing a group of undergrads about what a degree can and should do for them. I was quite put off by the first speaker, a girl and an apparent bimbo. When asked about what she thinks a tertiary education means to her, she said that at the end of it, she must be employable, but the most important thing is that the process is enjoyable. She quickly added that it's nice to get a degree at the end of it. I was like, what kind of undergrads do we have nowadays? How can she say something so bimbo-ish and STUPID on air?

I was making all sorts of comments about her when the DJ asked a question. He said, "Do you think a degree can prepare you for a job in the real world?" I was quick to answer loudly in the car, "Of course not la! No degree in this world could prepare anyone for a job entirely. Nothing beats real experience." My husband turned around and challengd me, "Call in and tell them your views."

Not wanting to be defeated, I whipped out my mobile and called in. To my greatest surprise, I got through! A lady on the other side answered hello, and I was so shocked that I asked, "Is this 93.8?" Haha! She said yes, and screened my opinion before asking me if I want to offer my views on air. I said OK!

Then I was really put on air. Hubby became interested and upped the volume of the car stereo a little, but it kindda distracted me coz there was a time difference between what I hear in my phone and the radio. Anyway, I answered as what I had told the lady earlier, and the DJ went on to ask another question.

He said, "Would you prefer to work for 3 years and gain the experience before getting a degree, or would you prefer to get a degree before getting employed?"

I said, "I think I would appreciate the knowledge before starting work. It will put me in a better position. However, before starting my degree education, I would do enough research to ensure that I am really interested in this area or field."

The DJ thanked me for my views.

What an episode! I didn't know that I would do such a thing on such an impulse, but it was really fun!

Authentic Leadership

I was reading this book "Authentic Leadership" by Bill George, and came across this quote which I find interesting.

The first thing a leader must do is to define reality. The last thing that a leader should do is to say thank you. In between, the leader must be a servant and debtor. That is Authentic Leadership.

I cannot agree more. The first and last things are the easiest to do. It is the in-between process that challenges you as an authentic leader. To become a servant and debtor, one must possess a lot of humility and high integrity. It is definitely not something easy, especially if the team members are not committed.

I can't say that I am such a leader, but when I read this quote, I am relieved that my approach in my leadership is along this line.

Suddenly I thought of a person. She is a leader in a similar organization, but holding a leadership post that is of higher seniority. Her leadership basically can be defined as this:

The first thing that a leader does is to scold. The last thing that a leader does is to scold louder. In between, the leader scolds and scolds. That is Scolding Leadership.

Wow. Isn't that inspiring?

Ha ha.