End of Trimester Recap

Here's what I've learnt so far. There's a good boss, and there's a bad boss. And in the spirit of not looking at things in black and white, the difference between them is not very clear sometimes. Or perhaps, should not be made clear.

Happy employees are not neccessarily productive employees. It takes an extensive compensation plan, valid job design, clear career planning, competency-based training scheme, fair job evaluation mechanism, and rewarding retirement plan to make a happy employee a productive one. For good measure, throw in a company T-shirt or coffee mug. The relationship between happiness and satisfaction is yet to be established. However, motivation is highly important. Apparently, human motivation is a pyramid with 'physical need' written at the bottom and 'self-actualization' at the top.

Human resource policies should take into consideration issues like balancing work and life, which means that work should not interfere with personal life. Or was it the other way around? Either way, office romance is a big no-no. Furthermore, the company should not discriminate its employees on the basis of age, religion and belief system, sex--including sexual orientation, nationality, race, language, attractiveness, mental health, and body odor. Unless. Oh, I like this bit. Unless specifically needed to do the job.

Leaders are made, not born. Although, technically, they should be born first and then made. There are a vast range of activities aimed to create leaders. The majority of them require external consultant. Good leaders should be able to inspire his men, and women. In this sense, Hitler is a good leader. Deluded, but good nonetheless. I wonder if it's the moustache. Upon closer examination, the mile-long list of criteria for being a good leader is frighteningly close to the job description of a god.

All that, and the fact that internet connection and the printer start to conspire against you about two hours before the deadline of your assignment. Now if you'd excuse me, I'm going to enjoy my summer holiday..