I was privileged to have the chance to join a close-knit yet professional outfit for my operational posting on 1 Oct 2017. To some, it was an odd choice. It was too similar to my first stint, they said. Too little spotlight on the role, I was told.
Nonsense.
It was a perfect continuation of what I was doing. Policy IS implementation. So, it was a no-brainer to come over and implement what I pushed for previously. Yes, it was a niche role, without bells and whistles. But if one is in the service for the right reasons, this is precisely the kind of environment to thrive in and learn from.
I leave after the 6 months - a little older and, I believe, a much better listener. There is, unfortunately, some regret. I could not see out some of the things we were doing. But I know the team I leave behind has the right mentality and capacity to do what we set out to. And I would always be watching, scanning the papers, and cheering on, albeit at a distance. Thank you for the memories.
There are 3 takeaways I would like to share:
Listen
It is presumptuous to think that the authorities have the monopoly on knowledge, that Government knows best and knows it all. Only when one listens - intently, genuinely, does one understand. That is the first, crucial step.
Be Candid and Open
It turns out that candor, openness and transparency are even better than reason and logic in explaining a complex topic to an assumed-to-be hostile and unreceptive audience. In fact, only when we are humble and treat our people with respect, then may we expand our common space and enhance the maturity of the discourse. And if we must agree to disagree, then so be it. At least, we get across that our intentions are the same if not our views of how to achieve those intentions.
Start Small, Act Fast
Micro-innovations are better than circling the same ground over and over. And if some decisions are hard to take because we can disagree on the lesser of the evils, then perhaps we can just try one way or the other. And if we fail, at least we fail fast, and hopefully safely. For not trying, is failure at its grandest.