.respect.

the apprentice just ended and i realised an important lesson in life - having the ability to establish good interpersonal relationships is important in life. key word here is "important", not the "most important". i always believe that the first step in doing so is to have others to respect you. respect is a priceless gift. some people have the gift to own it but others do not. you cannot use money and buy "respect" at any convenience shops along the pavement. you cannot force upon others to gain "respect". it needs to come naturally and willingly from people, both above and below you. in uniformed groups, we always talk about respect for seniors as if it can be easily instilled in us with just a swing of the magic wand. when i became a leader, i found out it required more than a swing. respect is hard to comeby and is even harder to earn.




let me leave you with a story.

A man in a hot air balloon realised he was lost.

He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below.

He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, canyou help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don'tknow where I am."

The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degreesnorth latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."

"You must be in Information Technology," said the balloonist.

"I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is, technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything,you've delayed my trip."

The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."

"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air.You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."

so do not push the blame to everyone except yourself.

"people move to seek better"