I have a boss who are a very ambitious man and really working hard towards the bank's success. A big success. His name is Ronnie Lim Kheng Swee. In my opinion, the bank is not his employer but it's his business (and blood? and soul? maybe?).
I first saw him in 1995 during a conference held in Nikko Hotel which was organised by my bank. I noticed of him because he was cute that time (still young mah! & kurus but now sudah berisi sikit hehehe!) He was a Branch Manager in Jalan Ipoh back then. At one session during the conference, one of his sales staff went up to the stage and tell us how much she was proud & appreciate by having him as her boss. She compliments him as a great leader with a good guidance, motivated, courage and full with passion towards his work. And she was in tears when telling the audience how much he had motivated her and changed her to be a success person. You know what, she even hugged him! I was like, "wahhh!! he must be a very kind man, don't know what he did but he had touched the girl's heart and had turned her to a different person. I'm sure everybody wants him as a boss!" I remember telling myself, "Hey! one day I want to work with him." (Ronnie - this is true! no kidding. I just remembered it!).
Well, almost 9 years after that, I had my my chance as my wish came true but of course it's came with a surprise!!
My boss has his own way in managing his people. He can be in good mood but sometimes he can be very 'angin'. Everytime when a staff who'll be seeing him for a meeting, they would ask me, "Sal, sejuk or panas?"...If "panas", they would curse the person who went to see him earlier! ha ha ha! What I would always tell them is "don't trigger him more!"
From my 3 years observation, I think, when he gave you a task, he'll guide you at first and with his guidance you must know how to row your boat. Of course the crucial part is you must listen and understand him properly. Always update him on the progress. However, don't come to him with a small-small problems and expect him to solve it for you. You'll be in a deep shit man! Instead come to him with the result after you went thru hell to get the problems solve. If you at the dead end, he would not hesitate to be with you to help and guide you all the way to ensure its success. You'll be surprise with the end result! What he wants to see is how you take the challenge, your courage, willpower, willingness and how you handle things. This is part of the learning curve. This is how he creates a leader.
Well, he sounds fierce, right? Not really actually....since he's an ambitious man, somehow, he's a little bit impatient, it was just the way he was trained by his former boss, Bridget Lai (CEO of Alliance Bank). That's why he can be where he is right now. Sometimes, I feel there's Bridget Lai in him.
When I mentioned who my boss is, there were staffs who are surprised! Because they heard 'stories' about my boss! Most of it are 'suka marah2', garang, etc etc....and they wondered how I worked with him. I said, "so far he treats me ok." They're more surprise!
After more than 3 years working with my boss, I now realised that I actually hardly sees my boss because most of his time he was in the meeting! I think in one day in average I only sees him at his desk not more than 2 hour! 1/2 hr in the morning, 1/2 hr during noon, and 1 hour after 5.30 pm (I usually go off at 6.30pm). Our main communications is either email, sms or phone calls! You'll be surprise if I tell you that he can email us by using his blackberry while he was walking, eating, talking or sleeping! Don't be surprise if you see the time that he email us at 2am! At one time I even received his sms at 6am when he was in China! Ha ha ha!!
Even though he's "sounds" strict and garang, actually deep down he actually is a good man, has good heart....sometimes he jokes too, and I must tell you that the best part was when comes to reward a staff, he's a generous person. He'll make sure his staff deserved what they earned. When every project or campaign is successed, he wud never forget to compliment and sincerely thanks his staff via email broadcast and of course will be followed by lunch or dinner. He never forget to wish you on your birthday (I dapat "big" angpau every year!) This is how he shows his appreciation to all his staffs. For the past 3 years, I think almost every month we had makan-makan treat at the best hotel or restaurant in KL. Never forget our quarterly offsite meetings at 5 stars hotels and resorts in Malaysia (ada yang lepas meeting follow with spa! best!! free plak tu!!) The most remembrance one is when he brought us to Tokyo, Japan! How's that sound? Best kan? Now you wish to have him as a boss right?
By end of this year, with a new structure, he'll be leaving us to lead another department with a new direction and bigger portfolio. Recently, we had a conference at a Palace of Golden Horses as the Bank would like to brief us on the new structure and plan. He was there on the stage to present what's the plan all about. Since this is totally new and he's gonna lead the new direction, I can see now that the Group is looking high up at him and trust he can deliver the result. I believe he will deliver the result for sure.
We gave him a great farewell party for him on the other day....he was so touched and speechless and in tears (can't believe it!). I hope he knows that we gave him this treat not because we want to "kipas" him, but we wanna show how much we appreciate him. With his guidance and 'the training', he did change our working attitude and how we sees things differently. This is a learning experience which we can't buy. I'm gonna miss him for sure.
Ronnie, if you ever read my blog, I wanna tell you that I'm so proud that I had served you as your PA. Thanks for the card. I really appreciate your compliments. I'll definitely keep the card for rememberance. You are a truly great boss I ever worked with, a good leader, focus, a man with passion, a motivated person & generous. I'm sure every field you'd go, the success is following you and a new leader will be born. All the best to you & take care!
Now I understand why your ex-staff appreciate you and talk proudly about you!
