Rituals and traditions

"I go camping with my wife and children. It's a tradition," Chris enthused.

We then went on to ask this question: "Can you recall something that your father or mother did with you when you were a child that makde you feel really good about yourself?"

The answer to this question gave me insights into what I as a parent can pass on to my child now that will make a significant difference to his immediate and long term feeling about himself.

They weren't always momentous happenings, they didn't involve spending huge amounts of money, nor receiving gifts or toys. The memories of my dad coming home from work with my favourite pork floss, was something that made me feel special.

As parents, we have to take the time to enjoy our kids, to put in place some simple rituals or traditions that will give our children the message that they are a source of delight to their parents and that they are fun to be with and lovable.

Match emotions

I spent a day with 20+ of my new colleagues in the same room today.

We want to make the right and best impression we can on others, especially the 1st time we meet them. Many experts consider facial expressions the most important nonverbal behaviour of all.

That's why when I want people to feel as if we are both on the same wavelength, I match their emotions. It really build empathy.

2nd childhood.

"My daughter has gone to Spain for 6 weeks to study Spanish. My son is 16 and is taking up golf very seriously," Gail told me. "I have aboy who is 10 and a daughter who is 8. My son loves sports and mechanisms while my daughter loves ballet. They are so different," Chris shared. "I just got married last year and we plan to have kids only at the end of next year," Fernando chipped in.

Newborns are in an absorbing and passive stage - the main issues are safety and closeness. 2-year-olds are learning to deal with a world that sometimes says no. 3-5 year-olds are into exploration. School-aged kids begins to learn to think, socialise and independence. By 12, they reach a plateau.

Being a parent is like having a 2nd childhood.

Try new things

"That's the problem with my daughter. She has only 1 friend," Alex lamented.

I encourage my boy to be open-minded to try new things - new food, new activities, new friends. I do thins by role-modelling my willingness to try new things.

I sincerely believe the more we can expose our children to diverse experiences, people and places, the richer their lives will be.

Kids do as we do

I do not get defensive when my boy catches me misbehaving. rather I take advantage of the situation. Like when I was caught using a bad word, i explained I was wrong. I made a mistake.

Children learn everything we do. When we speak in a calm voice instead of an angry one, we teach our kid how to stay calm when provoked. When we apologise for using bad language, we teach our kid to take responsibility for mistakes.

If my kid's behaviour concerns me, I normally look closely at my behaviour. Our kids do as we do.

Great expectations

"Congratulations on your new position. Sounds exciting." Eli sent me a message through LinkedIn.

The overall approach to my grand vision in career and life is making the absolute most of every opportunity I have. My greatest success and prosperity has always and will come from my ability to create my own breakthroughs.

I believe major breakthroughs come from the correct mind-set. It's an attitude. People who make breakthroughs are always opportunity-focused. People who don't, aren't. It's that simple.

The most dramatic breakthroughs were simple, better ways to do things - faster, easier or more effectively or logically. Fresh new ways to do something. Applying old things in new ways.

Give loyalty to receive it

"Tin Pei Ling resigns from senior consultant job to focus on MP duties." Today's TODAY newspaper reported. "The firm, where Ms Tin has worked for the past 4 years, confirmed her resignation."

I, too, have worked 4 years in my present company. Today is my last physical day at the office.

Many employers and employees alike seem to believe there is no longer any such thing as loyalty, at least in the traditional sense. There are very few "25 years of service"gold watches awarded these days.

Many leaders proclaim the company to be a "family". It is business, and there is no reason to camouflage the fact.

As a sales leader, to receive devotion and loyalty, I give it.

from left: Shirley, Michael, Chloe