I finally sent in my application for the NUS Asia Pacific Executive MBA programme. Not sure if I'll get in...hopefully I guess. The application requires me to answer this question:
"How would you define yourself and what would you want to achieve as a leader?"
And this is the answer I gave...*bleah*
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I always knew what I want to achieve in life.
In times when I am not privileged to do so, I have no qualms to trial and error until I know what I want. This is evident when I first graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Chemical Process Technology.
At that time, through my experience gained from the compulsory course attachment program, I already knew that I would definitely not be able to get used to working in a laboratory or a factory. That decision prompted me to search for alternative career paths to pursue.
I attempted to fit into the accounting line by working as an Accounts Assistant while pursuing my ACCA qualifications but I found the job too mundane. That was when I resolved to try sales and marketing. I was fortunate to be given a chance to work in a non-profit organization where I was truly given the opportunity to define who I want to be and who I am today.
To be in a leadership role is almost everybody’s dream but not everybody can excel as well as one another. I was again blessed to be given a chance to hone my leadership skills early in my career under the guidance of a few good mentors.
Helping the company chart towards its corporate goals and achieving them is every employee’s job but a leader's job is more than that. A leader is there to guide the team in achieving this objective effectively and efficiently. A leader is there to herd the team on behalf of the company for productivity. The same leader is also there to give advice and act as a listening ear for the team members whenever needed.
Through the years, other than the occasional glory that I get out of being a leader, I realized that this position is not just another avenue to bring home the dough. As a leader, I have a much more important and meaningful mission to fulfill. I need to develop my team members, nurture them and give them the opportunity to define who they can be tomorrow.
A true leader cannot succeed without his/her team members and likewise the team will not be able to do well without a wise and knowledgeable leader. It is with this in mind that I want to pursue an EMBA programme so that I can continue to nurture and guide my team.
