My last two posts are directed at the administrators of Malaysian Sports, be it at National Sports Associations of National Sports Council.
It is an open secret that you have to be in the correct camp to survive the politics in Malaysian Sports. And the latest news I received where a representative of a sponsor was forced out of his position due to under hand tactics displayed by some quarters is truly a low blow for Malaysian Sports.
There is no denying that some quarters will stoop to newer depths to protect their interests and will not allow anyone to stand in their way as their quest for power seem to have driven them mad.
What these people should realise is that the best administrators and managers should have the capacity to convince their charges of the worth of their task, mission or goal.
For those without a sense of purpose or belief are erratic, directionless and often are without the lack of drive to work, prepare, compete and rebound from disappointments, and they should just leave.
Convincing others of the vision and direction to be taken is a crucial part of the task, and it is only by giving meaning and direction that the best results can be achieved, but often they hoodwink others with their fancy stories and high powered connections.
The task of convincing, directing and persuading requires vision and capacity to lay down a pathway or roadmap underpinned by a believable vision and modus operandi. But today it is done by threats, manipulation and blackmail.
As an administrator, you are often keen to tell people what to do, to point out faults or persuade through your reasoned arguments, not by stabbing people in the back and doing that with a poker face.
Sometimes the best course of action is to raise the issue and then let it dwell in silence while the group or individual considers the detail, but how long will silence help?
Still my advice is never be too quick to give the answer or your account. Silence is a powerful tool, which many are uncomfortable with, yet solutions and truths that emerge through reflections and contemplation carry much more weight than answers or solutions given by the boss.
Modern management requires the integration of information from a wide variety of sources, both internal and external, expert and pragmatic. The true quality of your ability requires the ingestion and digestion of all this information.
The best administrators know how to listen and will utilize a variety of resources. To quote Hamlet “ Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice: Take every man’s censure, but reserve thy judgement.”
