Leadership. Not easy to learn. Not everyone has it. Many shun it. Even in a leadership school like SISPEC, trainees dread holding leadership positions. Then what is the point of going there in the first place. Some don't even have an ounce of it in the first place and still show an unwillingness to learn. Some think they have it and try very hard to impress people, however they end up making a fool of themselves.

Leadership. To me, it is a very very important skill to have. It is not really a skill, it is an art. That is how I view it. It is the art of portraying yourself to your men, to the people you are in-charge of. And it is usually the factor which determines success or failure. I feel that leadership cannot be learnt through workshops or presentations. It is learnt through experience. When you are under a good leader, you learn how he does it. When you are under a bad one, you learn how not to be him. Ultimately, it boils down to whether you want to lead. Passion is important here too. Of course, some people want to lead because they enjoy power. In this case, their men will suffer. Leadership is not all about getting things done, but it is getting things done in optimum efficiency with your men in the highest possible morale. No point getting things done when everyone hates you.

I have held leadership posts every year since Primary 2. Be it minor or major, I learnt a bit from every appointment. I enjoy leading. This way, I can have more involvement in the task, have more socialising opportunitites and a great sense of achivement when the task is completed successfully. Well, since I have to do it, I might as well do it and in the meantime get the most out of it. Take for example my Ex GrandSlam. I was in-charge of the whole platoon. Yes it was tiring, but I did not waste my time. I learnt how to lead in times when I could even sleep standing, I learnt how to conduct the reinforcement procedure in pitch darkness, I learnt how to carry out orders outfield. More importantly, I felt great when people recognise my ability to lead. It is during times like this that people can stand out from the rest. Another example is the section live firing. If I weren't the section commander then, I will never experience how is it like to order soldiers to move forward while the others were firing live rounds to the front. It is a different feeling to only shoot and move than to shoot, think, shout, move and check on the section before carrying on. Being a leader is not a chore, but a great honour and also a great opportunity.

Sometimes as I think back, I regret my decision to give up the chance to go OCS. I would have a chance to lead a larger group of people and to brush up my leadership skills. But again, I know that my decision would be a blessing in disguise, as it always is. No idea why.

I bumped in Daren today. It was quite comical, the way we met. We were walking briskly after buying food from the coffeeshop and saw each other round the corner. Then we stopped abruptly at the same time and stared at each other for around 5 seconds. It was almost like a mirror image. Of course, we spoke but the most important thing he said is, I looked different. I take that as a compliment. I can't possible look like my skinny, fair and not so handsome self a year back. But again, looks is the thing I care least about nowadays. Anyway, it was quite a coincidence. Chances of such coincidences are as low as winning 4D. Feels great to meet an old friend again though. Must find time for Secondary school outing this Friday.

Good night!