MIP

In our first badminton tourney this year, our team was not that successful. On the second one, our team won the title but I was not a major part of it. On the third one, after much research and practice, I have managed to play in the Men’s double where the better players are and also participate in coaching. Though I am ranked lowest in that division, at least I managed to step up my game and filled in a slot where the better ones play.<>

I have always been keen on improvement on many aspects of my life. In our badminton club, from the last mini-tourney we have, I was named the most improved player. Many have improved but I probably showed more interest in it, looking at video tutorials and listening from the people who plays a lot better than I am.

I am just fortunate that there is such an award but I would make improvements even if there are none to be given. All I want is to move out of my comfort zone and check my capability. Many things still to improve at but at least I have made my first moves.

Another thing where I have moved out of my boundary is using my skill/talent in motivating. It is part of my job and it was not easy at first to as my team mates are also managers of other companies. Sometimes is tough to make people do what is right and would want to do it their way. It should be just for fun, but having a passion of being a coach/teacher, I just used this opportunity to use what I have learned.

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Practice Makes Perfect

Background: most Filipinos, which are at least are high school graduates, understands great deal of English. Unfortunately, due to not practicing, they are very afraid to speak with this foreign language. Most Filipinos are also very keen on English grammar that when you speak to them, usually they are just waiting for your errors.<>

In Glaxo, about 5 years ago, I had a chance to work with a British bloke, Raphael Dixon, when I was tasked to undergo training on the new Purified Water System (PWS) the company acquired. I cannot talk to him continuously at first. That time, I really wanted to increase my confidence in speaking with foreigners and we also need it during audits. Having a lot of foreign friends, I asked my wife, Joecy, how to deal with them. She looked very enthusiastic to answer my question and said that I just have to be frank, if you forgot the word, do a sign language or ask if he/she knows what you are talking about. She also added that they are not keen on grammars.

Upon hearing the tips, I talked to Raph more, and even if I make lot of errors, I just to kept with his pace of speaking. Seeing that he doesn’t mind my mistakes gave me more confidence but I still made sure to improve it. About a year and a half since then, I am surprised when Raph suddenly mentioned that I have improved a lot since we first started talking and that the way I talk is totally different.

After some more time of working with him, the two of us went to a hotel bar one night, ordered some drinks and talked. The lady bartender heard our chat and curiously told me that she thought I am a Filipino. I said “I am, why?” She replied hesitantly, “Because you sound much like the one you’re with”.

Note: The 8-ball picture above is drawn in AutoCAD 2008.

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Certified Calibrator

The first technical training I had was Instrument calibration in Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines, the second company where I worked for. It is one of my responsibilities as a Process Maintenance Supervisor. I became exposed in instrumentation and machines where those instruments are used. I transferred to GlaxoSmithKline and when they knew that I am a certified calibrator, the ownership was handed down to me. Once again, I learned how pharmaceutical machines run, but it is not just about learning machines that time.

One of the things I also enjoy with calibration in the next company is meeting new faces. As the calibrator, we have to work with contractors in the factory (Maintenance and Quality Assurance) due to some instrument standards that are not worth buying.

I had been with other nationalities and many Filipinos that are experienced in the field of calibration. Calibration involves waiting so we have time to chat. Being with them, I learned a lot of new things not only in calibration, but also a bit about life.

When I am with other nationalities, one thing that I would usually ask is their culture and I would then tell them the difference or similarities on ours. With Filipinos, usually, it is about their experiences in the company they are in and the company and the “hot” companies to transfer to. They are very open in sharing things to me, probably his way of saying thank you for staying with them. I also have to meet other people during refresher of the course.

I consider this a great part of my job. This is also my practice in dealing with people and it made dealing with foreigners easier for me.

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practice

In a previous company of mine, I had mechanical technicians who asked me if I can teach them electrical stuffs. I merrily said yes since I dreamt of being a teacher. It took me some days to prepare materials to start with, and had a bit of practice as I want it to be a good one. The day came when I was ready and called all the technicians that were present on that day. There were only 3 of them as we have to put others on night shift. And when I was about to start the lecture, suddenly, my fight or flight mechanism was triggered, and no words came out of my mouth. I tried to talk and made it but cannot complete a sentence without blunder in uttering words. My personnel laughed at what they saw and heard. After the event, I smiled and told myself that it is probably because I am not exposed to giving lectures and that it’s my first try. I never got halfhearted and continued lecturing. I still had problems speaking especially when all 6 of them are present but made progress in every session we had. I am very happy that after the lectures that I have given them, they learned new things. With them, my ways of speaking improved, and same with my confidence in doing it in front of a quite bigger crowd.

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