Good Vibes

I recently had lunch with a former student.  Over sushi and sashimi, she related to me her appreciation of the "torturing" I had on her and her classmates while under my supervision.  She said it is helping her deal with the challenges of her job.

She is Tina. She is an executive assistant to the Korean CEO of the second largest cinema chain in Indonesia.  She related to me that her boss has a different work ethic and leadership and management style compared to the Indonesian managers. Add to that the differences in language and culture.  So far, Tina holds the record of the longest serving EA in her organization, and that is something that causes wonder, amazement, and admiration from her managers and colleagues. Awesome!

Tina said she learned to anticipate things from me. Tina learned the style, preferences, and eccentricities of her superior so that, when given tasks, she can predict what her boss would want to happen and have some spare for some changes.  If she is asked to reserve a restaurant (for meetings) or hotels (for trips), she makes at least five reservations so that in case there are changes there are still four more to choose from. She goes beyond the basic things that is expected of her job.  As a result, she is being trusted by her Korean CEO with other things, and she is being rewarded for her performance.

I am not the best lecturer there is. I admit that I pressure my students in doing their best by expecting the best from them.  I may be "torturing" them as I always demand for quality, not quantity, from them.  I always remind them that it not good to memorize and it is better to understand.  For understanding comes with remembering and recalling, whereas, in memorization, the moment one slips and falls, everything will be shaken and forgotten. I often tell them to face the unknown, expect the unexpected, anticipate anything that could possibly happen. It is only when one is prepared that one can face the battle ahead, overcome the challenges, and solve any problem.

I am not my students' best teacher, I am not even good.  But, it is in my principle to touch other people's lives, leave a mark, and hope that they get something good from me.  I hope that when they get older and more successful and they look back, they will find not me but what I have shared with them.

I hope that Tina would also realize that she herself is the biggest factor why she is doing well in her job. 

It is a great feeling that, at least, one person appreciates what influence I have had on her. It's a feeling greater than the greatest riches in the world.  Good vibes.