My Teachers Said

My Teachers Said by Andy Ng

My boss from The Chase Manhattan Bank, Mr Tan Chin Poh. said to me in 1990, “Andy, you have to do whatever it takes to use your skills and capabilities to not just get the job done, but do it well”.   I owe my little success today to him.  Thanks, Teacher Chin Poh.

My mum has only a primary school education and does not speak or listen to English.  She told me, “A man should find a good girl to marry, have children, and your life will be complete”.  I did what she said.  When I encountered difficulties at my work, she told me whatever I do, I have to be responsible and don’t let people say bad things about me.  When it comes to money, she said one must not spend more than your earning, and invest the excess so that your wealth would increase and you will have a better life.  Thanks, Teacher Mum! 

Indeed, we often were told many things by our teachers.  In the workplace, our bosses are often our teachers too.

But how many of those things can we remember? 

We know anyone can be our teacher, even a book you read, a YouTube video you watched, a Facebook NewsFeed you read, or a post in WeChat Moments or WhatsApp message we received.  

The fastest way to learn anything is to teach it.  This is what I have been doing as a trainer coach, full-time since May 2001.  My training topics are a wide-range, including Finance, Sales, Management, Leadership, Metascience, and Personal Effectiveness.  So when I conduct my training, my trainees are also my teachers.  Action speaks louder than words.  Your support for continuing to send people to my courses is what you said the loudest.  Thanks to all my trainees!

We know silence is golden, often what is not said has more weightage in our minds than what is said.  In fact, quietly acknowledging my efforts, no need for any praise or compliment, is assurance that I am doing the right thing.  This is especially so when the assignment on hand is still a work in progress.  Not saying anything also allows me to focus on doing without being distracted by comments, positive or negative.  Thanks to my family members and friends for your silence.

My friend Alan Go, told me in 2007.  “You can start teaching the Sun Tzu Art of War, because you are effectively bilingual”.  That started my Sun Tzu courses in 2009 until today.  What my friend Alan Go said is an assurance of my capabilities, and displaying confidence in me.  Thanks, Alan Go! 

The late Bob Procter, a teacher that I admired a lot, spoke to me at a conference in 2007: “You can achieve anything you want in life if you help enough other people to get what they want”.  This spurred me to focus on helping, not just teaching.  Thanks, Teacher Bob Procter!

You the reader of this article are also my teacher.  Your comments, positive or negative, will make me improve.  You are also “My Teachers Said”!