Smile

I tried to make a blog out of smile long time ago but cannot find the words. I am a happy man but I cannot express thoughts from it. I went to Australia and found something that made me smile a lot. I smiled more as I already saw how I will make the blog that I thought long time ago, a month to be more specific.<>

On 27th of December, I bought a Sony Camera. The model is Cyber-shot DSC-W150. I chose it because, first, I like Sony when it comes to electronics. Second, it is the most that my budget can buy. I also like black colored gadget (I have a slim and black PSP.)

The handbook is in the CD and I did not bring a laptop then. I have to read all instructions from the gadget itself so I am not able to know all the features that day. I just took the pictures and changed all parameters that I understand. It is not my first Sony camera.

Going back to PNG, in the plane, I checked the other features such as editing. Looking at it, I saw a Happy Faces feature where I can modify people’s face to appear smiling. I tested it in one of my own picture and smiled after seeing the result. I shared it with the person beside me, and told him about the feature and he also smiled after viewing the original and the edited picture.

After a while, Genes invited me to sit at the back (not much passengers then) so we can check the features of our cameras. He bought an Olympus camera. It has more features that mine, but we are both happy with what we have. Looking closer, we saw this Smile shutter feature and checked what it does. It says Automatic shooting for capturing smiles. I really did not mind what it says until I pressed the shutter and it automatically captured a picture. We experimented and saw what smile shutter meant. For people who don’t know it yet, it means that it automatically takes pictures when it detects someone smiling. We were happy taking pictures while having our smile to click the shutter. The pictures below are taken while we are moving the camera on a smile shutter mode. Smile!

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Visa

My friends told me the news that they are going to Australia. They knew that I really want to go for many reasons. They wanted also wanted me to come so they added my name in the list of people to go to Australia in the itinerary which is needed for processing visa. I am in doubt at first but I just thought that I may not have another chance after this so I told them I am willing to come.<>

Genes and Roberto sent their passports one week after mine was sent. Alice, who is our friend, has been in Australia twice already. Mine was sent together with her passport. Two weeks after sending their passports, the two guys already have their passport. They are of course very happy. Mind you, in Philippines, getting visa to many points in the world is not easy. I should be receiving mine after 2 weeks since I sent it.

Two weeks came and passport is not yet delivered and we should be leaving in two weeks time. Whenever people ask me about leaving, I would tell them that I am not yet sure as I don’t have my visa yet. When Roberto and Genes talk to other about the trip, I would just stay quiet and when asked, I would say that I am not joining Australia trip conversation until I have my visa in my hand. I did not worry even a bit. I already accepted that in case I will not get my visa, it will be fine with me.

Another week passed and Alice said that the visa is ready for pick up. It is odd because we sent a return envelope thru courier. It was late that week and we are leaving on the next one. She just asked someone to pick it up and we will just get it on the 25th – the day of our flight. With that, I became confident on going to Australia and joined conversations regarding it.

Christmas day came and we went to Port Moresby where the plane going to Brisbane will be. We had our visa, thanks to Alice’s friend, and every body was surprised as I have a multiple entry visa. I and Alice are the one with multiple entries within the group of seven that is going. I am very happy and it was a great present.

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Habit #1

I am very fortunate to have a seminar on Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. In Glaxo, all employees especially the Med-reps have to undergo this seminar. It was very meaningful and I practiced them for some time. I forgot it easily as it is not a technical thing. I have to read the book when I remembered that can help me in my new endeavor. Nowadays, I would teach them to my men based on His words and with my experiences. <>

The first one of which is “be proactive”. We would hear managers tell their people to be proactive, but usually means to work, to work, and to do more work. As a leadership advocate, I would tell them to be proactive in Stephen Covey’s way.

When I am with personnel of mine, I would give them advice depending on their needs. I ask them what they would like to be. When I hear their answer, the initial thing I would be telling them is to be responsible for what they want to become. This is Covey’s words with moving out of the comfort zone. Those words are powerful especially when I give them my personal example on how I made it to where I am now. I may not have gone very far, but far enough to motivate them.

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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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Waiting

Nowadays, I have no trouble when I have to wait on a schedule or a queue. I can get thru waiting with ease as long as I have my book, my game or my mobile phone with me. The mobile phone is just a new addition and its main purpose now is not for sending message or for calling other people.<>

My PSP is one of my weapons when it comes to waiting. My favorite games are strategy, sports, or other things where I can learn something. There was a time when I have to wait for flight going back to Lae from Port Moresby, that time, I would wish I have to wait longer so that I can finish the championship on an NBA 2007 season. Usually, I would play until battery is flat of if I have problem getting though a stage. In my PSP are also leadership and motivational audio books which I listen to once in a while.

I am keen on checking my destination. If there would be some time i.e. commuting, then I am sure to bring a book with me. As long as I can, I would read some pages. I remembered a time when I have to wait on a long unexpected and unannounced queue and I am not armed with anything then. I ran into a bookshop (Booksale), saw the famous Suze Orman (Financial Adviser) on the cover and then bought the book – problem solved. I finished a third of the book until my turn came. I did not spend much and also learned something while waiting.

My latest addition is the mobile phone. It is not new to me. I have a mobile phone since Nokia 5110 was released. Now I have a better phone and I used it while waiting for making blogs. I place them in the Notes section. Either I would make a whole one or think of titles for the next one. With this one, even while waiting on a on a buffet or in bank, I have something to do. End

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The Pattern

When I was writing “AAAA” I tried to incorporate this pattern that I learned while reading articles in the internet. This pattern is written in many forms and I found it later in John Maxwell’s “21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership" and in Robin Sharma’s “The Saint, the Surfer and The CEO”. With the two in one blog, I saw that one is outstanding and when I modified it, the other one takes all the attention so I decided to separate them.

The pattern is The quadrants of learning. I placed it in a table where it really belongs. The quadrants are:

Quadrant I, is where we are not aware that such a skill is existent and that we lack the skill. Relating to the previous post, it is the time when I am hearing complaint and do not know how to handle them.

Quadrant II is the stage where you learn that there is such a skill, but is of course inexperienced in that field. It is when one accepted the need for the skill and devotes time to practice to acquire that skill - This is the time when I learned that there is such a thing as the 4A’s but do not know yet how to deliver and use them.

Applying and practicing the know knowledge or skill and gaining experience from it is the bridge that will connect you to Quadrant III. At this stage, you already have experience and have been using the discovered skill.

As you go on and practice them often, it will then become a part of you and will be unaware that you are already using them when needed; this will bring you to Quadrant IV. This stage is also called the stage of Mastery. As I said before, I can now handle complaint without the use of any visual aids.

This makes blogging easier because I have a pattern to be used when it comes to learned knowledge or skills.

	Unconscious	Conscious
Incompetence	Quadrant I Unconscious Incompetence	Quadrant II Conscious Incompetence
Competence	Quadrant IV Unconscious Competence	Quadrant III Conscious Competence

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Book #2: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

As I have said on my previous posts, I have not been good in relationship handling. Good thing I happen to read this book which helped me a lot in terms of my relationship with my wife, Joecy. When I read and practiced some points in this book, I saw what mistakes I have made and what wrong moves I have been doing. It was not easy for me then, but now, I am already reaping the benefit of the change I made. <>

The book is written by John Gray and the title is “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”. In it, John shows the big differences between men and women which we should accept. I am not yet very fond of reading non-technical books when this one came. Fortunately, as I read and practice the principles written in it, it gained my interest and decided to finish them from cover to cover.
I also wrote the 2 common mistakes in relationship in my blue book and I would read them once in a while just to be sure I would not fall into that trap again. They are:

1. A man tries to change a woman’s feeling when she is upset by becoming Mr. Fix-it and offering solutions to her problems that invalidate her feelings.
2. A woman tries to change a man’s behavior when he makes mistake and becoming home-improvement committee and offering unsolicited advice and criticism.

It is the basic thing that a couple should know and the rest is elaborated in the book. Joecy would not agree before, but as I changed, so she does.

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AAAA

Engineering and maintenance is where almost all the problem in a factory is blamed to. Whether it is on machines, quality of utilities and sometimes basic structural, we are the personnel to call. I had to deal with almost all the people in the factory and hear a lot of complaints, even in times when things are going smoothly. How I got through it? <>

Years ago, as I looked for leadership articles, I then bumped into an article which says “4 A’s on how to handle complaints smartly”. The title is too tempting for me not to read them so I took note of it. I wrote them in my notebook so I would not forget them and also wrote them in a post-it note which I pinned at the cork board in front of my desk. I kept on reading them and I have no idea of what the outcome will be should I use them. Reading it from first to last A, it seems that it will work but I still have doubt on it and so are my personnel as they thought that those words are not fair for our team.

I practiced few words for me to use just in case there will be complaints. And when that time came, looking at the note I have, I followed them as written from the first A to the fourth. It was never easy then but I am very proud that I followed them and made a positive result out of it.

As I have practiced those 4 A’s, whenever and wherever people tells me complaint, I now know that there is no need to flinch because I already have it and have been using it for years now. I sometimes forgot those words in order and the words themselves, but I know that I can handle them smartly now even without the note I had.

The 4 A’s are as follows: (1) Agree with the complaint (2) Apologize (3) Act to remedy the problem (4) Appreciate being given the complaint. Unfortunately, I forgot to write down the author’s name and cannot find it now. Thanks to him anyway.

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True Gem

While in a group discussion, a friend of mine who is matured wanted to give advice to a couple who will soon get married. She was telling the couple some good ideas and realistic examples which they at some point have a good probability of running into. It ended in an argument as the couple won’t agree to the advice while she kept on telling her that what she said may happen and that it is just to prepare them. I just kept quite because as the discussion goes, I can see that the couple would not give up protecting what they know and are already closed minded.

Days later, Joel, a friend of mine, told me to read a book he already read and fortunately found something that may halt such arguments. The book is titled Thick face, Black heart by Chin-Ning Chu and this is what it says:

If you have a large, perfect diamond and you take it to the village marketplace, you will have tremendously hard time trying to convince the junk peddlers to give you five dollars for it. However, if you circumvent the village peddlers and the small town shop keepers and go directly to the most reputable diamond dealer in the nation, you would not have to waste your energy attempting to convince him. Your merchandise would speak for itself. You wouldn’t even need to open your mouth, and he might offer you five hundred thousand dollars for it.

If you are a true gem, do not waste your energy trying to undersell yourself to the common village peddlers. You will annoy them and wasted your time. It is much easier to sell valuable goods to those who recognize the value than to those who do not.

I would say that instead of giving realistic advice to peddlers, probably start telling people same fables first. It is like telling peddler the value of a simply stone first, then of copper, silver, and gold. If they already know the value gold, it will then be easy to tell them the value of a more perfect and expensive stone.

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Jerry

Jerry (right) and Roy (middle) are friends we had when Roberto and I went to China for Factory acceptance of a Paper machine on July to August, 2007. Jerry, a Mechanical Engineer, is one of the few people in that factory who can speak English well. He is a bit older than me. He is a very serious person but became a bit jolly person when he was with me and Robert. He was our tour guide during our stay there. Before I left, Jerry confessed a problem he has on their factory. <>

Being new to the factory, Jerry really wanted to learn how the machines are made and how everything in it works; trouble is that the designer won’t let him get close to the machines whenever there are critical things to be made. He narrated his resentment regarding this matter that he is always told to go far whenever the designer has to make changes on the machines and would never tell him what the amendments done.

I understand why the designer doesn’t want him to see things and one thing is that machine is yet to be patented. I told him that if he cannot learn when the designer is working on the machines then ask the people who are near it at the time installations and changes are made. I recalled telling him “I have been with people who hoard knowledge but I never stopped looking for other options until I learn them and nobody can stop people who want to learn.” I remember telling this to him in a tone of a wiseman. He was very motivated with my words and promised to do what I told him to.

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Angry?

I would like to share how I deal with angry people that confront me. It doesn’t mean that I usually make enemies but there are other reasons such as envy, jealousy and I making mistakes led some people to be angry with me. Nowadays, I would resolve such incidents at once instead of pending it at making it worse. Sometimes some people would just talk to me to release their anger from another person or things.<>

The basic thing that I do is listening attentively to them. I see angry person as an automatic machine gun loaded by ammo and is triggered by anger. Listening attentively to them is like unloading the ammos. In my experience, giving any form of advice, sometimes no matter how great it is, is just a means of reloading or refueling anger. When the magazine is emptied, that should be the best time to talk about the issue. Try it!

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Surprise

In PNG. I asked Joecy to send documents that I need thru courier (from Philippines). I received those 9 days later, and found another 2 envelopes. I opened them and found a card each. Those cards don’t only mean that she cares. For me, it is also a symbol of the person I became. I know her and knew that she would not give something like that if she doesn’t feel like giving one. <>

Looking back, I really wanted to please Joecy; unfortunately, my ways then was not fit to make our relationship grow. She was telling me things to do but is different from what I think is right so conflict arises. I tried to change her the way I want her to be, but had negative results. With that, we had been thru many struggles and had not so good memories. I have not been a good listener then, if I did, I just knew that our relationship would be better early on.

As the years went on, with the new insight and knowledge gained, we’re getting there – a better relationship. There are lots of new things I learned that I tried, tested and was very happy with the outcome. The best things that helped me is learning how to communicate with the opposite gender and accepting our differences. Now, I’m reaping the benefits of my transformation and still striving to be a better husband.

Today is our 7th year anniversary. Even though we are apart, we are growing together. Days ago, I already received my Christmas card and my birthday card as well. What’s written in it is something that Joecy would not dare tell me if she doesn’t mean it. As I was shape shifting, I always tell her, “hang-on, we’ll get there”, and now I can see that we are getting closer and closer to it.

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Obama won!

Too late for this? Not quite ‘coz what I will tell you is something that happened before the election. This article is made possible by Obama’s win. Hooray for Obama! <>

Months before that day, my friend Billy thinks that Obama will win. Our other 2 friends think McCain will win simply because he is “white”. With that Billy bet 12-packs of beer each with the other two guys and they agreed.

We watched them whenever we see them on screen. It was a see saw battle then, but the more they speak, the more I liked Obama's way. A month or so before the election, Billy approached me and asked me who I think will win? I answered that for me, it will be Obama as he has more sense of leadership than McCain. Also, the type of leader he is is close if not same as the people I am following. He just smiled and left knowing that we are on the same side. But if he asked how I saw leadership in Obama, I would simply answer what John Maxwell said: “The more leadership ability a person has, the more quickly he recognizes leadership, or the lack of it, in others.”

Good thing he won, otherwise this won’t be written!

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The Rule

During my first days at the Plastics factory in PNG, I was introduced to some not very happy electricians and fitters. I easily saw that there is a problem in the work place. One of my first jobs was to know the people I will handle and how to motivate them.<>

While James, a fitter, was working, I approached him and ask how things are going? He honestly answered that production is blaming them for the machine breakdowns....always. This is almost the same answer I had from most of my other fitters, electricians and so is with my superintendent. For years, they have been accepting blames given to them. I had a rule given to them which is the “no blaming” rule. I told them that if any blame is handed out to them and/or if they make mistakes as well, as their superior, all they have to do is tell me and I will handle them.

Checking at the history, there has been no regular maintenance for machines. There are policies but are not implemented. So, when the next problems occurred, I would always be there at once to help them solve the trouble or machine problem. After some occurrence, I saw that the problem is usually on the operations side. Set up is the usual cause then as I and all personnel present has been witnessing then. The other department never heard any criticisms from me whenever we prove that it is their fault. Operators are in doubt of giving us information on what happened before the machine breakdown because they themselves are afraid to be blamed also. I then told them that we need to work hand in hand to finish issues and stop looking who’s to be charged.

I requested that all causes should be written down and be more specific. They have it already in the system but were not implemented, so they did. After some time, the data would rarely say that the machine problem is due to lack of maintenance, especially when we have already stabilized the preventive maintenance system. Problem still occurs once in a while and I would tell my men to just work on it and look for the root cause so we can prevent them from happening again. With that operators co-operated well as they no there will be no one to be blamed and we will just sort the problem out.

My men felt relieved with this and worked happily since then. My superintendent was very happy also as his chronic headache was gone when the issue was resolved. Case closed.

Click here to see the post: The Rule II.

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