Uniquely You

I just love doing training and facilitating the DiSC! It's my aim to make learning fun, and having fun activities a great way to illustrate a point. 

Like this for instance. I had a small group for a change. I did my usual introduction and led them to an activity.

I was fascinated to see how this turned out. Four totally different types of paperwork. 

And that is why I had entitled my short talk "Uniquely You" also known as "Who do you think you are?"

Determined D

A challenge. 

A test.

A personal one too.

Supernatural healing? Let's prove it. Let's go the the gym

And so it was. The determined D did so... as proof for the high C. Classic "project-fueled" event!

Who Enjoyed More?

Working with young people always invigorates me. My passion is to help get them to reach their target in life. 

When, at the end, they come up to me and tell me how much they have learned and find useful, it makes the long hours of being on my feet worthwhile!

Enjoying and Evaluating

Enjoying what I do, and making sure others have fun too, I took a group of people out for a day and made sure they had fun. They had been working so hard that they deserved a treat. So it was a day of treats of them.

Giving them clues, they went from place to place, doing activities and getting rewards for what they do.  We were supposed to finish at 9.00pm but ended up closer to 11.00pm instead. It was worth it!

The Tape Type

Walking along the short stretch to the washrooms, this cream coloured object caught my eye. It was a hand-made ball. A D-i-Y of sorts. Made from tape. Masking tape to be precise. That it was of a size bigger than my Nokia e71 was impressive. That it was made in one day was intriguing. I had to stop. Don't you agree? I mean, what sort of person would do this and why?

Turns out that the person responsible was bored of picking up masking tape that day. And more importantly, thought this was the most practical and logical way to creatively collect up the tape without messing up any other place.

You guessed it - the classic C. Methodical. Logical. Precise. Calculating. Does things to the end.

Cleared things up very nicely!

Been a While, It's Worthwhile

After months of trying, I was able to settle on a date with some inspiring, aspiring, enthusiastic young people. Two sessions with them. Wonderful. 

 This is the appreciation received. I must say this appeals to me.

Yes, they call me Aunty. Haha!

Cold Feet

It's interesting to post about cold feet after a post about boldness.

But that's where it is right now.

Cold feet about doing an upcoming DiSC series.

And that's because the "C" rises up, wanting to do things just right, but not feeling prepared enough.

Patience & Perseverance

It was not often that you would get such an opportunity. The weather was perfect and the scenery was just there to be snapped. Your camera is at hand. The situation is ideal.

There is only problem one problem. You are not alone. You are in a company of people who might not appreciate your passion for photography, let alone photography of scenery.

What would you do?

The high C stood his ground and snapped away, ignoring the others in the party, knowing full well that there was no other agenda, no other appointments.... and got these beautiful shots.
Timing was important especially when the opportunity presented itself so beautifully.
Not to take it would have been a waste of documenting a wonderful work of art in the sky.
Worth the stares of the others. Worth almost incurring their wrath. Glad that they were mostly high S - they didn't mind too much!

A Certain Kind

No training. No exercise. No preparations. Just a gung-ho attitude, a go-for-it style. That's the D. And that's what got someone through a 7 kilometre sunset charity run.
Great fun for the D who loves challenges.

It Takes All Sorts

She had been invited for a meal. As far as I knew, they were not going dutch - her friend was going to pay.

Whilst her friend enjoyed her meal, she insisted that her meat was underdone and sent the plate back. Then she commented on the cold vegetables.

Finally she reiterated her disappointment to both the owner and the owner's spouse.

Much to the embarrassment of her friend who had thought it would be a treat.

The High D/C insisted on making her presence felt and opinion known. Regardless of the feelings of her High C/S friend who intensely disliked drawing attention to their table.

Defusing a potential situation required tremendous tact and self control. Which the owner DID exhibit. A classic case to answering wrath softly. Totally disarmed her. Absolutely silenced her.

I had much to learn.

She hosts this event once a year.

Then she spends hours looking at the sites before typing the links up at her site.

Amazing eye for detail, tremendous perseverance.

High C for sure.

Who do I refer to? Why the Whimsical Bohemian of course.

And her yearly One World One Heart giveaway event.

I have made two offerings. Have fun perusing them.

Perhaps you might want to take part too. Good way to make new friends from around the world.

The Creative C

Ran a DiSC workshop over 3 sessions recently.

The finale was last night.

And this is what one of the High C folks did.
Sorry about the blurred photo. Camera had gone to someone else and so this was taken with the phone.

Isnt that the cutest little playdough cat you have seen?

"SO ME"

She almost looked bewildered. Having attended the first and second of three workshops, she was wondering how it was possible that I would be able to describe her so accurately. "What you said was SO ME!" Then the tears fell.

Since she was one of forty young people whom I was meeting for the first time, I initially had problems remembering what it was that I had said.

Then as more recollection came, I realised that she was also disturbed for other reasons. Together with another, she received confirmation, affirmation, and I believe, comfort.

The next day, she told the other person that she was much better and that she was able to do the things she needed to.

When that happens, it makes what I do truly worthwhile...

Having Fun

Took a bunch of about 40 young people through the first part of three on DiSC.

Aptly named "Why Me? Why You? Why Us?" the plan is to explore aspects of DiSC and see how we can learn more about better communication, leadership and to facilitate being more effective.

Yes, we had fun, despite the short time. It was especially fun for me when specific examples given are spot on and I see their reactions. No substitute for that.

Better still was that at the end of the evening, I had a queue lining to hear and learn more.

I enjoy working with this age group!

In Response to Restrictions

I read this in the news today.

Kuala Lumpur: Four states which have not gazetted the prohibition on the use of the words, "Allah", "Solat", "Kaabah" and "Baitullah", in any non-Muslim publication in the country, will do so soon.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the gazetting would be made in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Conference of Malay Rulers as the four states, Penang, Federal Territory, Sabah and Sarawak did not have a Sultan or Royal Ruler.

"They come under the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (in respect of Islamic religious matters) as they do not have a ruler," he told reporters after a Maulidur Rasul 1430 Hijrah/2009 celebration, here, Monday.

Prior to this, Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, the religious adviser to the Prime Minister, was quoted as saying that the respective state Islamic religious councils could take action against those who used the words, "Allah", "Solat", "Kaabah" and "Baitullah" in non-Muslim publications.

The decision on this was made by the National Fatwa Council as its consultative meeting and had been gazetted in 10 states except Penang, Federal Territory, Sabah and Sarawak.

The use of the words became an issue among Muslims after the local Catholic weekly, The Herald, used the word "Allah" is its Bahasa Malaysia edition.

Ahmad Zahid, when winding up the debate on the royal address in Parliament last Thursday, said although the government, 10 state Islamic religious councils and the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association had applied for their case for the ban to be referred to the Federal Court as it involved the Federal Constitution, 10 states had already gazetted the decision made by the National Fatwa Council on the ban.

He said the decision of the 10 states was made under the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Enactment.-Bernama

For some, this is no small matter. For others, this is trivial issue - what's all the fuss?

Out of all those who are against this, some would quietly resist. There would be yet others who would make a loud noise about it. Others still would think about how to overcome this before doing anything hasty. Yet others would quickly jump on to any initiatives to make a stand. Whatever your personality, if you were against this, you would respond in your own way.

For those who don't consider this an issue of importance, did you feel it was a waste of time reading this post?

What Kind?

We were heading back to the cars after dinner. My Arrow #1 spotted him and gave him a smile. His reaction was swift.
Dressed in FIFA referee gear, he whipped out a a red and a yellow card successively.
He was penalizing Arrow #1 for smiling at him.

Now what kind of person would so such a thing?

Teachers Have to be Good Learners

I went to SMK St Mary in the capital city recently to do a workshop there for the teachers and staff. It brought memories of my own school days. I was educated in an all girls' missions school.
I had a good time involving the headmistress in the three sessions Understanding yourself, Understanding others, How to Improve.
Right from the start, the staff had a great time. It was fun and laughter as we learned together.

In order to increase learning, various methods were used - here, they are watching a movie about how 25 divided by 5 can be 18 - repeatdly. Quite a thought for the maths teachers present! Needless to say, they wanted a copy of the video!
There were only three men in the faculty. So some of the activities saw them enjoying and learning in their threesome.
Normally quiet and seemingly docile ladies had such fun that all inhibitions fled.

Dropping all pretense and restrictions was important in order for the lessons to come through.
And by the time it came to the end of the day, many barriers were down and true colours were revealed.
The final discussons were done in groups led by leaders selected by the head herself. Feedback was interesting indeed!

Did they learn much? Judging from their evaluation forms, I believe so. Now they have to remember and apply......

Workshop for Sixty

I cant upload photos for some reason. So a quick note is all I shall post for now.

Sixty ladies, three men, and a secondary school.

I was asked to conduct a workshop for the staff of this school last week. In Bahasa Malaysia. I wonder if this is a first. The results seem to have come out reasonably well. More info when I can get the photos in.

Small Group Dynamics

It's amazing. Four good friends. Four different styles. 100% different people. They can get on each other's nerves. But on the whole, good friends.
Doing things together can be a challenge. It shows up your personalities.
Shows your strengths and weaknesses. Makes you examine yourself.
Some work well as a team. Others less so.

It's good to recognise why you do what you do when you are stressed. Dont wait till anger hits. Anger is a secondary emotion. Go to the root.

They learned a lot that afternoon. But there is more to learn... another part another day.

Learning Discovering Participating Improving