3 Qualities to Nurture at Work (and in Life!)

I was recently invited to speak at a panel for students (aged 18-22) on 'What It Takes To Get Here'. If one can look past the slightly presumptuous title - I by no means suggest that I have all the answers, or indeed, if you want to 'get to where I am' - the spirit of the event is to give these students a sense of some of the qualities that are needed to survive, and indeed, thrive in today's economy.

So while I'm hesitant to think that I've already reached a stage of my life where I can dispense pearls of wisdom based on my own experiences, there is perhaps some merit in sharing what I've observed from 7 years of working at some really great places.

I've had the chance to work along side some truly smart people, but I have to say, in many companies today, intellectual capacity as a currency is so widely available.  It is who you are as a person that differentiates you from the long line of Harvard/Stanford/Wharton/INSEAD/name your fancy school MBAs. There are a couple of things I've observed consistently in people whom I would classify as some of the best I've worked with. These are also qualities I've tried to cultivate, and if asked by younger friends, would encourage them to nurture as well.

1. Grit
Develop it at a young age. When you have the luxury of youth, develop a wide range of interests.
Develop the capacity to practice and be dedicated to something
Learn to cope with failure. To paraphrase J.K. Rowling: The caprices of life will hit you somehow, somewhere down the life. And if it doesn't, you have lived so cautiously as to fail by default.

2. Empathy
Having had the opportunity to work along side some of the very brightest minds, my repeated conclusion is that there is a long line of very smart and intelligent people out in the world. But those who stand head and shoulders above the crowd are people who are able to deeply put themselves in the shoes of others. This manifests in many ways - being a better communicator because you can identify with and relate to your audience;  being a better problem solver because you can understand other people's issues more deeply; being a better project manager because you can better align everyone along a common goal.

3. Be Humble
There is an old saying that having humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. This can mean many things.
Intellectual humility - propels you to always be hungry in your curiosity, it helps you open to listening to other people's ideas and feedback.
Humility also helps you to be a better team player, since you're not always thinking of things in a self-serving manner, but more focused on the collective success of the team. I would say I've worked with a few people who were very sharp and quick, but because they lacked humility, they were never great to work with.

So that's it, the Top 3 characteristics that I think are needed to succeed not only at work, but life in general. Do you have your own list? Email me with your thoughts!

Book Review - The New Digital Age by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen

I am one of those distracted readers who have anything from two to five books lined up on the reading table at the same time, jumping from book to book depending on the mood and brain juice left for the day. I have to confess - I have been struggling to get through this book for a while now - 'The New Digital Age' has been languishing on my reading table for more than 6 months, but I'm proud to report that I've finally finished it this past weekend.

I have to say, it was a matter of hitting my stride with this book, because once I got past the first 30%, the rest was interesting enough to speed through in one week. It starts off ominously with this quote from Schmidt, "The Internet is one of the few things that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand," and indeed, the rest of the book is an treatise that tries to better understand and, therefore, navigate this unwieldy beast.

The moonshot sounding title set up my expectations that this was a prophesy of the digital future from the oracles at Google, filled with sci-fi worthy predictions of how people would live in an age of new technology. Unfortunately, this falls short of that, as the technologies that they talk about are more or less available today, albeit some in more nascent stages. But hey, if you miss the moon, at least you're in the stratosphere.

By any measure, this is still an ambitious and detailed assessment of the digital paths that are open to states and people in the near future - how will we think about identity, privacy; how will revolutions be fought and won; how will conflict, terrorism - and our response evolve; even how will we re-think disaster reconstruction.

The authors travel to an impressive list of places in the world, many of those dangerous and controlled by regimes that are markedly oppressive and abhorrent of the freedom that the Internet brings. However, that doesn't mean that they are un-privy to the powers that new technologies bring, albeit to carry out their nefarious agendas.

Many subversive plots are suggested that could be used by authorities to undermine shady characters. (Side note -  as a Singaporean, the premium I place on privacy vs national security strikes me as being very different from some Western opinions.)

Bearing in mind that this book was written over 3 years (2011 to 2013), if we look at what is happening today, it seems fairly accurate in espousing on the direction that these new technologies are headed. Take the issue of cyber-security, that was the subject of many lengthy chapters - the authors discussed different ways of how warfare and political mischief could be committed in this arena. Several high-profile breaches have occurred in the 3+ years since - eg the hacks on Sony, multiple NSA leaks, DNC etc, the last of which are alleged to have direct impact on the 2016 US elections. The authors end that chapter pleading for more whitehats to join the fight against mis-use of his information.

One uncomfortable omission in this book is how private corporations (Google, Amazon, Facebook etc) are increasingly playing a bigger role in influencing how these new technologies are unfolding. I can imagine that this might be a sensitive topic for the authors to address, but the scant mention of these private players seems to me to opt for the  easier, but less rewarding path.

Having said that, this book remains a rich reach, offering insights into a breadth topics, ranging from national security, terrorism, education, economic policy, business, to foreign and domestic aid. (And this isn't even an exhaustive list!)

The possible futures imagined in each of these mammoth areas tell of a world brimming with possibilities to improve the lives of millions, if not billions, but also of the catastrophic devastation that can be inflicted to mankind if these new technologies are not guarded and used for benign/noble purposes.

In conclusion, when it comes to navigating the New Digital Age, this book doesn't have all the right answers, but it sure asks some interesting questions.

Book Review - Grit by Angela Duckworth

Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success by Angela Duckworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Frankly speaking, I'm only a little more than halfway through the book, but I was so taken by the book's premise and ideas that I felt compelled enough to jump into action and pen a review for it. (Caveat for readers who are expecting book reviewers to have completed the entire book...what a silly expectation to have! ;p)

Duckworth weaves together dry statistical experiments, pop-sciencey psychology, and moving anecdotes from a wide range of folks (including her own remarkable story) to present a theory on Grit - what it is (and importantly, what it is not) and how to develop it.

If all this sounds like the ingredients of a particularly annoying self-help book aimed at the meditation-loving, kombucha-drinking but ultimately flaky millennial - it is not - and I propose that taking such a cynical view is a loss for anyone who seriously wants to learn more about developing strength of character.

For those who struggle with possessing grit, Duckworth is encouraging with constant reminders that grit is malleable and can be developed over time. She puts forth 3 pillars to achieve this:

1. Start with interest. Even world experts had to start with a fledgling interest before that thing explodes into a sustainable passion.
2. Hone your capacity to practice. Beyond quantity of practice (by now, the 10,000 hours rule is well-known), focus on the quality of practice. Practice deliberately, repeatedly, especially on your weaknesses. You might even get to enjoy a state of 'flow' (her term), which is what I call 'being in the zone'.
3. Recognize your purpose. Motivation to continue in the face of adversity comes from knowing that your efforts have meaning and purpose bigger than yourself. It often has to do with contributing to the well-being of others.

To end off, if this is any testament to the book's readability - I simultaneously can't wait to finish the rest of the book but also wish that the book would go on a bit longer, just so I can enjoy reading it for a bit longer. What a great book to kickstart 2017 with!


View all my reviews

Hello 2017

With CNY, I guess I have a second chance at cobbling together some resolutions for 2017!

New Year's resolutions are  tricky thing. I've occasionally had the habit of coming up with a list, but for the low-level reason of not being able to keep track of that list, it hasn't been very meaningful. Hopefully penning this down will at least strike this off the list of excuses.

I remember a handful (and perhaps that is the trick to forming resolutions - keep it short!), mostly around personal fitness and being a kinder human being, but the details are fuzzy.

Here's my list of 7 resolutions for 2017:

1. Write publicly more often: at least once a fortnight
2. Exercise at least 2x a week
3. Learn at least ONE new technical skill
4. Volunteer at least twice a quarter.
5. Read at least 12 books this year
6. Meet up with at least 2 friends per month
7. Have dinner with my family at least once a week

Share your resolutions with me as well - we can help keep each other accountable.
:)

Re-starting - Nov 2016

A new post after nearly 5 years of silence on the space...

So many things have happened in the intervening years..it feels superfluous to give any attempt at summarizing all that has transpired. And so, I shall start off in the best way I know how, which is to the present. 

I've been brainstorming with Junhan on embarking on a writing project and kickstart a neglected muscle. Most of the writing I do nowadays is restricted to typing out emails, project plans, and presentations. Whilst I like to think that my finely crafted emails are sublime in their own right, it's very far from the literary pursuits that come with poetry and prose. 

Nonetheless, I'm keen to re-start this dormant habit and start writing again, even if the topics of my writing might now skew away from a more literary tone. 

Things I'm interested in writing about:

• communicating effectively at work
• navigating the tech workplace as a young, junior female
• managing difficult work relationships
• the importance of meditation and taking a moment to be mindful
• finding time outside of work to pursue an interest
• investing
• property hunting
• maintaining friendships in your late twenties
• importance of continued learning

To kickstart this revival, I've decided to spend some time thinking and reflecting upon a topic that is close to my heart - mediation and mindfulness.

I know that this topic has come under the spotlight and is at risk of being over-exposed these days, particularly amongst the hippie-quadrant in the tech world.

This habit for me has its roots in my upbringing in church. We were always encouraged to be reflective and thoughtful about our lives, and this attitude manifests itself in many habits. On a daily basis, 'quiet time' refers to the period when you are supposed to be in reflection and in pursuit of your relationship with God. On a weekly basis every Sunday, we would take pause for 10 mins or so at the start of our service to reflect upon the meaning of the cross and how our lives have reflected that symbolism over the last week (in a good or bad way). A few years ago, I started learning more about meditation from a more secular standpoint. I have to credit Tan Chade Meng for sparking this interest after I first read 'Search Inside Yourself' - his bestseller on mindful mediation. 

There has been lots written about the benefits of this practice, so I won't rehash that whole she bang here. If you are interested, here's a resource to help you find out more. Instead, I want to talk about a recent experience in being more mindful.

I was grateful to have an opportunity to attend a tea tasting session from 'Hush', a non-profit organization that enlists the deaf community to conduct a meditative session through the act of drinking tea in silence. 

I've never spent a lot of time with the deaf community. But just this few hours on an afternoon with them made me more contemplative of things around me. As I am typing this, there is lush greenary outside the window. A mix of birds and ciccadas chirping away on an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon. 

Just soaking in the luxury of this fills me with a sense of calm and gratitude. 

I've been reading this book 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking'. I'm about two thirds through and defninitely think that I can relate to a lot of what the author is saying about how introverts are perceived in today's society, all the coping strategies that one can use to be in that sweet spot of staying true to one's personality, yet succeeding in a world that prizes more extraverted traits like chattiness, 'socialible-ness'.

Would definitely recommend it to everyone across the spectrum of intraversion and extraversion. For those who identify as being introverted, this tells you that you are not somehow 'wrong' or 'lesser'; For those who identify more on the extraversion end of the spectrum, this helps you to understand the people in your life who are more introverted, and also highlights some of the benefits that come with being more introverted and possible habits to cultivate and adopt (eg being a better observer and listener, being more contemplative about things etc...the caveat here is that despite the piles of reserach to back these claims, these can still come across as generalizations that introverts tend to be better at some of these things. Nonetheless, there is some truth and lessons to learn from this.) 

For those who have 19 mins to spare, I shall leave you with this:

Back from Europe

Haha, actually, I've been back for about a week now. I've noticed that after coming back from trips, I like to behave like a hermit for a couple of days - just staying at home and whiling my time away like a retiree. :pThe trip was wonderful, we covered quite a bit of ground - Riga (Latvia), Krakow (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic), Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria) and Rome (Italy). Along the way, I saw lots of awesome sights and met a truckload of people, got to know new friends as well as old ones. And of course, we had a very rewarding experience at Peaktime :)

The avalanche of photos are available on Facebook, but I just wanted to write down a few thoughts which seem most salient to me right now.
On Riga:I can't say that this city has a lot going for it, but the people are so warm-hearted. Much thanks to Ieva and Bruno who took time out to show us the city and made us feel at home. My first time in an ex-Soviet Union country was pretty eye-opening. All the Soviet style modernist buildings, clinical and uniform, the deep-seated resentment of the government, covered up with good-natured jibes, the crazy competition (1 simulation, 2 cases in 3 days, 3 hours each!), and always always, the food. :)

Greenatics hard at work :p

Post-competition fun in Riga

On Krakow:

The most striking thing I remember about Krakow is the super-depressing visit to Auschwitz. On the day of our visit, it was cold and rainy, and we stood in the rain listening to our guide tell us about the monstrosities of the Nazis. I remember he used the phrase "sick ideology" several times, and I just felt really heavy-hearted the rest of the day. Upon my return, I read "Night" by Elie Wiesel, and it truly is a slim volume of terrifying power. Fascism may no longer prevail, but its reign during WWII is still being felt today. Hm, food for thought.

At the Auschwitz concentration camp

On Prague:

A beautiful city! I think what I loved most was the gothic architecture. The soaring spires, and high ceilings. Very majestic. And somehow, I never tire from looking at old buildings. Though I can't say the same for statues (more on that later...)

Our very passionate guide on the Prague Walking Tour. I think he has a really cool job!

On Vienna:

Woke up bright and early on Sunday morning to attend mass and hear the famed Vienna Boy's Choir! These boys are truly blessed with heavenly voices. Surprising number of Asians in the choir though!

This city makes us all feel (unjustly) musical. By the end of this leg, we were all singing in operatic voices and humming Mozart. Oh yeah, kena conned was underwhelmed by the concerts we attended. We paid a pretty penny and were promised a full Royal Vienna Orchestra, but in the end, there were like 10 people on piano and strings, an opera singer (I think she was not the best, but the most entertaining :)), and a CMI ballet dancer.

On Rome:

I think my favourite city on this trip! Sheer number of sites (Coloseum, Pantheon, Trivi Fountain, several Piazzas etc), I thought traveling alone would be terribly lonely, but I think I appreciated the solitude and independence after a while. :)



The first of many pizzas and pasta dishes

At the Roman Coloseum

I think I've got enough of Greek/Roman statues for a while

Ultimately, I love traveling, taking in exotic sights, meeting interesting people and soaking in different cultures. But being away always reminds me that home is the best. When the plane touched down at Changi, the familiar humidity blasting in my face, my family waiting at the arrival gate - that's the best. :)

This was taken by a hallmate, from his room in Sheares. The NUS campus really is quite beautiful, despite what many might think.

Yesterday, I was walking back to my room, feeling lousy and dejected after another Physics lesson where I didn't understand 90% of what the Prof was talking about. I looked up while crossing the road, and saw a light shower of pink petals cascading down from the trees. I stopped then to admire the Spring scenery, (Yes, Singapore does have seasonal change! :p) and listen to the wind whispering through the rustle of leaves. I think that was God nudging me to take a chillpill.

Trees really do give comfort to man, they have provided shelter, food and even clothing for humans for thousands of years... On the eve of Good Friday, as I look at this tree outside Sheares Hall, I remember another tree from 2000 years ago, one that stood atop a hill on Calvary.

And I remember what it means to me.

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3: 17 - 18

These last few weeks have been trying. No, there's been no major catastrophe, and for that I'm extremely thankful. But there have been a string of minor annoyances, and mostly, I have been responsible for them. When I was younger, being a scatterbrain somehow seemed more forgivable and perhaps even endearing, because I had less to be accountable for and my youth as a shield.

As I slowly transit into adulthood proper, this trait seems to take on a more insidious dimension. Of course I am aware of how my carelessness can result in some very dire consequences, and I always think I have learned my lesson. But after a period of vigilance, I somehow find myself losing some small trinket, or making some other silly mistake.

I lost something this week, and it's funny how even though it's pretty trivial and inconsequential in the larger scheme of things, it can trigger so many emotions. I'm reminded about the time where one of my New Year Resolutions was to be more careful with my possessions. And after sharing my resolutions with my small group, I went for lunch and promptly lost my wallet at the shopping centre. Thanks to God and one extremely honest Singaporean lady, I was able to recover it, but I really detested myelf my forgetfulness then. I know these are but just worldly possessions, and I should not unduly beat myself up myself over them. But I'm just unhappy about what that says about me as a person. I can't even hold on to something so small and simple, how can I be responsible for larger things?

I've decided to blog about this as a concrete reminder to myself. I'm sure I'm going to lose more stuff along the way - to all the keys, cards, wallets, cell phones mp3 players etc that I am going to lose in the future, this is an advance apology for not taking good care of you. I promise to try and keep a lookout for your presence and attach you to myself (did I mention how much I love lanyards). To all the bigger things in my life, I promise to treat you with more care and attention than I accord to the trinkets in my handbag.