When seeing the landscape at Monument Valley in the region of the Colorado Plateau, North America, it is with wonder to learn about the cluster of sandstone hills or buttes in the middle of the Arizona Desert. Landscape photographers do a wonderful job in capturing the panoramic views especially during the changing light of day.
Image: Simon Clayton from Pexels
While I have not been there, the same geographical influences of wind and water can be said of the collection of limestone stacks, called The Twelve Apostles off the shore by the Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, Australia
Image: Steven Pereira 1992
Our life can also be moulded and shaped by the winds of circumstances that impact it, and the decisions we make can influence how we flow through life’s meandering journey just as water flows through the environment. As I embark in 2021 on a new chapter of my life, I can speak with a sense of utmost humility that I am who I am today is because of the influences of various people and circumstances on my life.
While there continues to be debate on the influences of nature versus nurture on a person, i.e. the extent behaviour is influenced genetically (or inherited) versus being acquired through learning or through externally forces, in this issue I am going to share both influences over my life. I will focus however on the period since arriving in Melbourne in 1980 which has been one of the greatest transformational chapters for me.
Firstly, as a child of James and Patricia, my biology had been determined by their genes. My height, eye colour and skin complexion were hard-wired in me. So, while I have coloured eyes from my mum, my short-sightedness comes from my dad. These attributes among others cannot change. My predisposition too can be attributed to my biology; however I believe that some of these can be ‘unlearnt’. For example, if I had a predisposition to throwing temper tantrums and have an abrasive personality, I could learn to manage these through anger management courses or what psychologists call self-correction strategies. If you were wondering if I had these issues, fortunately I do not, however I am by nature an introvert. I knew I had to overcome my introversion if I was going to excel in whatever I wanted to do.
One of the influencers early in my career was a group of work colleagues. We were all around our 20’s when one day we decided to sign up for public speaking classes. The encouragement from the teacher was so impactful that those lessons have carried me through till today.
I believe the nurture side of the ‘equation’ brings forth what is dormant within us. My love for cooking, was inherent in me but had to be exposed when I was living alone in Melbourne, because while at home in Perth my mother ruled the kitchen, and no one was allowed to cook except her. The nurture side could also come into play through poor life-choices. Like many crossroad decisions we face, making rash decisions can have negative consequences. The Book of Proverbs provides a guide on decision making when it says, “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). I have been blessed with good counsel over the years from various people.
A major factor in my transformation had been my coming to faith, which can be explained this way: when my nature yielded to the God factor. Since then my favourite verse in Scripture is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will guide your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Along my life’s journey many people have walked into and out of my life. All having a part in moulding and shaping me. Of course, there were some people who stayed. My beautiful wife was one of them.
Here are some of the people, excluding my family who have taught and influenced me over the years. Only their first names are mentioned so as to not embarrass them.
· There was Richard who married Jennifer and me on 29th December 1984. He saw in me what I had to find out for myself. Thanks to him, he made it possible for me to find my God-given potential.
· There was Gary, a High School classmate and Victor whom I graduated with from University. Each separately played a part in my faith journey.
· Chan, BL, Clarence and Thye were the colleagues who attended the public speaking course with me.
· Cedric, my faith Pastor continued where Richard left off. Cedric exposed my God-given gifting to be of service to others.
· There was another Richard who showed me that Melbourne was more than the freeway between my home and the Coles HQ where I worked for over 10 years. We started on the same day at GS1 Australia and each time we travelled together visiting clients, Richard would educate me on the various suburbs we drove through. It was a real eye opener!
· There were the many team members whom I had the privilege to lead and manage in the organizations I worked in. They not only taught me the do's and don'ts of leadership, but how to be a better person in and out of work.
· I was privileged to travel overseas during my career at GS1. Mr. Tan from Singapore was one person who taught me, what I would call ‘international’ etiquettes. There was one occasion when we attended a conference. While seated together and listening to a speaker, Mr. Tan sensed that I was fidgety and about the leave our table. He put his hand on mine and whispered, “Don’t leave just yet. It’s impolite to leave now”. At the break he explained that in the culture of the speaker, it was considered an affront to have walked out. I learnt a valuable lesson that day. I have been to and spoken at many conferences since, always conscious of that advice.
· Of course, there is my favorite leadership author and coach, John Maxwell whom I met in 2011 and 2017. There were others too, Colin and Renée whom I have worked with who continue to add to my leadership knowledge. These influencers helped me ‘polish’ what I had learnt from experience and set me on a path to be an even better leader/manager.
· And speaking of leader/manager, Maria is one person who had nurtured my professional development for over 24 years as my only line manager at GS1. She mentored me and continues to provide good counsel. I believe we share a kindred spirit for compassion and care for others. An inspiring leader herself, she remains a true friend.
While there were many others who have played a part in my professional and personal life, this quote from Flavia Weedn, is appropriate to cover them all. She says, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
To every reader of this issue, may every new day be an opportunity for you to positively impact your sphere of influence. May you also be humble enough to be influenced by others for the better. Always remember to cherish those who positively speak into your life. Bless you.
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