Right-Hand Man

SELECTING A RIGHT-HAND MAN

Choosing the perfect right-hand man is like choosing the perfect suit. You want him tailored to your specifications, you want to be able to breathe and be comfortable when he is around you, and when you need him to make you look good, you want to know you can rely on his quality and polish.

So where do you find this magical right-hand man? It's not going to be in a Cracker Jack box. A right-hand man will usually come from your inner circle or be someone you've known for a long time. A right-hand man is someone you need to trust almost implicitly, so a history between you is very important.

You want to know if the guy is willing to get his fingernails dirty for you or how he handles himself under bright lights. You can't do that with someone who is newer to your life than your last pair of underwear.

WHY HE'S IMPORTANT

So why do you need a right-hand man? Well, because you can't do it all yourself. If you have ambition and you want to grow, you eventually need help. You need to surround yourself with people you can rely on, people you know will keep the boat sailing straight.

Chosen well, a right-hand man will act as your interim replacement, your diplomat, your man of the "people," your ear to the ground, your enforcer, and your sounding board. Chosen badly, he can make you look stupid, weak, diminish your standing, and cause dissent in your ranks.

A right-hand man is crucial to expanding your power base. He can strengthen your position as leader, give you credibility, and act as an advisor. He won't replace you, but during short periods of time, he can take your place and act as your proxy.

RIGHT-HAND MAN'S TRAITS

So what are the traits of a good right-hand man? I'd like to think the most important is that he'll be your enemies' enemy first and foremost. If the people you can't stand can't stand your right-hand man, you're on the right path.

Character traits he should possess:

Loyal: He has to be loyal to you, and be 100% behind you. You don't want any eager beavers getting your back. Trusting him is paramount.

Complementary Characteristics: I'm not saying he has to be your polar opposite, but he shouldn't be your twin. If you are the big picture, he should be all about the details. If you like to lead with an iron fist, he should enforce with soft words. Short temper for you, patience for him.

Competent: If your right-hand man is a cafone , the rest doesn't matter; your right-hand man has to know what he is doing and be able to do a good job, or else you might as well put a monkey up on the throne while you're out of town.

Quiet Leader: Ideally, your right-hand man isn't necessarily the screamer, he is a behind-the-scenes kind of guy that leads by example and not with his mouth. Doesn't always happen if your right-hand is named Dino and is 6'6", 250 pounds.

Gets His Hands Dirty: He has to be willing to do your dirty work. Sometimes you can't get involved and you have to do the good cop/bad cop thing; you should be the good cop and he should be the one person no one messes with.

He's respected, quiet and never expects to take over...

Respected by Others: It's easy to forget that if your right-hand isn't considered a right-hand man by others, he won't get too far. He has to be respected and seen as your worthy sidekick.

Silent in Support: Like loyalty, every disagreement he might have, he tells you in private, never in front of others, even if you insult him.

Isn't Too Ambitious: Sure, he has to be able to stand in as your substitute, but he has to know you are not replaceable. If he gets ahead of himself, he can start plotting your downfall. As your right-hand man, he has front-row access to your weaknesses. He should use that position to act as your consigliere , not to undermine you.

Takes Care of Your Needs: Whether someone needs to be taught a lesson, or you need a broad to relieve your "tension," a message sent or extra cash flow this month, he will tell you "it's done," and get it done. You don't have to repeat things, you say it once and he takes care of it.

Well-Spoken: People will assume he speaks on your behalf, so he can't be an illiterate buffoon. If you cringe when he speaks, he might not make a good representative.

MAKE YOUR CHOICE WISELY

Choosing a right-hand man isn't something you should take lightly. Some people take years before settling on the right person. It doesn't mean you can't have people around you that you trust and who do a good job for you, but it means no one will ever ascend as your successor.

Choose a right-hand man wisely, and you will grow, it's that simple. Frankly, we all need one. They take care of the details while we focus on dominating the world. Just make sure he doesn't turn into Brutus.

Watch your backs and keep your noses clean.

Adapted from AskMen.com

Family United

In Chinese, the above line simply means 'Family United'...

However, it can be tough to fullfil the conditions of family unity...

Although everyone's writing is different, but the meaning is the same...

This piece of calligraphy stood high on the wall in my paternal family hall. It meant to serve as a reminder to all family members on the immense meaning beyond those unique Chinese characters. Everyone counts in terms of how we should act and work along with each family member towards unity and harmony as our family's core values.

Long Summer Vacation

It's sunshine after the rain...

I've planned for this long summer vacation... specially reserved this period for my personal projects... Spend quality time with my family and loved ones... Visit some beautiful places in Asia... Enjoy a relaxing break and prepare myself for the new challenges ahead...

Time to Set Sail!

The day has come to bid farewell to my fellow colleagues… 

I felt heartened to receive a memorable Hallmark card from our boss that reads “Specially for Keng Wee”… It's inside was imprinted with everyone’s expressions and well-wishes for me… 

Thank you and full salute to my fellow colleagues for the good old days! 

It’s time to set sail again towards a new direction in my “Zen” quest… 

Next Intuitive Move

I've decided my next career move to be...

Biomedical Manufacturing Industry

This time, my considerations have changed...

In my previous jobs, I've observed that Asian-dominated office tends to develop 'complex human dynamics'. Sometimes, things goes beyond logical comprehension. I m concerned with the office environment as it doesn't work for me to get trapped in political webs.

I m definitely moving forward.

Although a few may not understand the reality behind my move... but I know what works well for me. It's a straightforward move for a conducive and flexible working environment where I can devote my efforts wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, I've received encouragement and support from colleagues and industry partners regarding this career move. I m fortunate to have options at this time and looking forward to join a new European office environment. If this job suits well, I'll continue to stay on permanently... There are others with similar sentiments and planning to move out when the right opportunity comes.

For this change, my concern is centred on the 'human' aspects.

More importantly, there are some key elements that underpin my career decision as I've realized that a successful leadership within the organisation is not only crucial to my career development, it also makes an impressionable difference to my life's outlook.

An ideal role - Top of the list is personal job satisfaction, a key factor for long-term sustainability as the job matches up towards one's career objectives with potential progression pathways. For a professional job that touches the lives of people, it is an important responsibility as such human relationships tends to go a long way. A managerial role in business development will enhance practical in-depth understanding of the industry's value chain, focusing on building customer relationships and drive the business collaborations with partners along strategic areas of growth.

An ideal boss - Someone who believes strongly in family values. Being understanding, caring and respects everyone in the organisation, just like a closely-knitted family. Knowledgeable and capable of charting future directions and implement plans. Practices good professional ethics consistently and set realistic targets. Possess excellent skills in teambuilding, business networking and presentation. Charismatic, firm and fair leadership based on high moral principles and able to demonstrate competence through exemplification. Being able to always communicate with a gentlemanly humour can be entertaining as it could relieve tensed nerves at work. The leader should be someone whom you can trust and feel securely protected. This person will motivate you to stick through the thick and thin together as a team and willingly go the extra miles to help everyone achieve total success for the organisation.

An ideal environment - A simple and effective working hierarchy such that the overall workflow efficiency is optimised with minimal hierarchical layers involved. Work-life balance, where the job allows balanced integration between one's work priorities and personal commitments. Last but not least, it's about working relationships. I value the establishment of long-term working relationships with respectable boss, colleagues and industry partners... Positive human dynamics helps to keep things moving forward.

The wishlist goes on... but my bottomline is to stay motivated on the job in a simple and encouraging environment... working with straight-thinking people... that's where I can perform best and everyday is a positive learning experience.

Among my options, I've chosen one with the right fit.

I Trust My Intuition

Freedom Is My Lucky Charm

Looking up into the bright sunny sky, I paused to ponder… 

A charming daisy fluttering in the cool summer breeze…

In life, it is fortunate to have a choice of freedom by virtue, 

It's truly my lucky charm… =) 

Survival At Work

STRENGTH & PASSION THROUGH SURVIVAL

I’ve lived through things I would never have thought I was capable of, 

And I’m much less afraid than I used to be. 

The process of wounding awakens us to our STRENGTH. 

It shuffles our values, and the top priority is never what you thought it would be. 

It’s never about perfection or power. 

It always turns out to be about PASSION. 

Knowing ourselves to be vulnerable and our time here to be limited, 

We’re freed to live more passionately and fully… than we have before, 

To discover what’s worth fighting for and who we are… 

True strength lies buried at the depths of any wound we've SURVIVED. 

Monad Says...

Work has been a growing uphill struggle recently, but a conversation today has struck me at the edge towards an awakening decision 

Sparks flew again after a flawed incident that resulted in a hard warning 

Nonetheless, I listened in silence as those fiery words pierced at me 

The inner sight of meaning beyond those harsh remarks set a negative tone of condemnation 

Reflected upon myself as I took a long evening stroll, piecing together today’s conversation and past happenings

The message is clear that my career progression along this path will be fragmented with obstacles, hence termination would be a wiser way out  

Concluded that there is no better way forward, I lay out my plans 

Fortunately, the situation is not as bad as I had imagined, at least I have several options to consider 

Though the timing may not be perfect for the team, but it is a rightful decision for me to take without further delay  

My mind is set on the decision to quit tomorrow and move on to another new chapter in my career... to be decided soon