Management Journal - August 2007

Yes, I’m late again. Busy, not quite. More like growing pain …

I have started the month by attending a thoughtfully arranged morning talk to learn from a top manager, incumbent of the CEO of the Year not long ago, a charming enough icon sharing his “secret” in balancing aspiration against the spectrum of organizational behaviors. While highlighting the important element of trust in management, he also believed in system that builds on the basis of “distrust”. It’s kind of the sad reality that I share with my CA Crew the other day, we learned in law school about being ethical only to find out that the real reason of being “trustworthy”, if not for the mandatory professional indemnity insurance!

Eager to get a piece of his top secret back to CA, I grab the chance to ask the first question after an interesting presentation. Explaining that CA is expanding to its largest ever on that day (by a dozen) and seek advice in moving forward; here are the two golden words from the Mr CEO of the Year:

I was puzzled for a moment. May be I was not clear in what I was asking or may be he was only too fast to point out that I am in deed in a service industry. With this in mind, I did my address to my dozen of CA Crew and start the sharing the very same morning.

While highlighting the brand new organization chart taking queue from my partner, I cautioned this extended family of mine on “More People = More Problems” and reminded them that those who believe in the firm’s unique philosophy (“we deliver” is similar enough to “good service”) shall prevailed together.

True enough as expected, problems! People are testing the new found boundaries. Yes, I have one casualty already and it’s only natural.

This led me to a lot of thinking. In a faithful evening in a conference room of a newly opened hotel, in great company of the most successful people you can find in town, this softly uttered phrase rang the loudest in my mind whole night – “no promise without delivery”.

Fundamentals – back to basics! It’s there all along and let’s looks at it seriously.

“It’s a bit late alright, but better late than never.
But I was too busy, yet the busiest people get things done.
May be there is a better time for it: there is no such thing as a good time – the time is NOW!
Growing Pain! Of course, to outdo your existing frame and challenge the limits is never easy. Just as Mr CEO of the Year, “you must always test the barrier of pain and you would start to enjoy it”.
Sadist but true!”

So, I started my “Star Fish” mission (as everyone count and one at a time) by lobbying my CA Crew to cultivate the mindset of Identify (where you are), Recognize (the extent), Address (the issue) and Control (the risk). In the core of such mindset and in an expanding organization, the key is communication to enable alignment (Verne has reminded us all on this again at the last TAIPAN).

Standing by the CA philosophy, we are determined to:

• Establish communication channels for sharing and responsibilities references;
• Exploring the common tools like maximizing the use of MS Outlook as the common communication platform etc.;
• Encourage openness, transparency and clarity;
• Enhance an environment of trust by giving the benefit of a doubt; and
• Endorse the “Strength Movement” as the basis of the firm moving forward.

Communication is essential (also for spreading ownership) as without it, there will be doubts and suspicions that shall then turn into a bigger monster over time if no action is taken. The reality is that with the various technologies in communication today, we are lesser communicators overall. Signals and signs are everywhere but they are not talking to each other. In CA, we demand for the power of openness and celebrate the power of now! Let’s turn noise into the most harmonious music.

This is the golden truth, whether it is for a small outfit like CA or running a country. As Malaysia is celebrating its half-century in the matter of days from now, let us all be reminded on the power of communication. If only we communicate more openly and not being defensive; Heaven can truly be on earth! Merdeka, my fellow anak Malaysia!

Last word for the day:

Live everyday as if it is your last, live life to the fullest! Let’s celebrate life! Hopefully, the last day is a good one, that’s all that matter!