#5) Familiarity Sets No Room for Creavity and Growth
We moved on to the Wen Chang Hainan Chicken Rice Stall. As usual, we ordered a plate of white and roast chicken with the lor bak. Upon tasting, JLJ team realised that we did not really enjoy the Chicken Rice. We have pre-concieved and expectations on what Chicken Rice should be as we compared to the Singapore style. Because of that, we realised that we are not open to new 'style', 'taste' or 'ideas'. Although tastebuds for food can be quite an individual thing, the principle we drawn is: Familiarty sets no room for growth and creativity.
#6) History is formed because of Rootings
There's new discovery in history as we ventured into the 'you tiu' stall. Mdm Chew told us that the buildings in Cintra Street existed more than a 100 years. On top of that, we also found out one unique trademarks of Cintra Street. They are mainly family business that are passed down from generations to generations. They passed down their hertiage, they passed down their traditions and they passed down their skills. It is possible to trace history and see history when one puts their foot and rootings in the land. I used to stay at the old Singapore Chinatown 5-foot way. I believe I clearly missed that touch of history and rootings. We recalled back Agape and Pek Kio. Because of our intentionally and purposeful rootings in the land and church, we rejoice over a history and celebrates because of the future.
#7) Success is dependable if it is passed to the Next Generation
The next stop is a total contrast. We went back to the Kee Cake Shop when Candy alerted us to take photos of the baking process of the Pepper Biscuits. We met this Mr Loh who is also the 3rd generation to the family business. However, his perspective is totally different from the Mr Lim of the Chicken Rice Stall, or Mdm Chew of the 'you tiu' business. He had decided to wind up the business as he does not intend to pass the business and skill to his son. He had different views about passing a family skill and hertiage. Unable to catch up with the technology of times and the demands of a fast growing pace society, he decided upon the best thing to do is to end the whole trade and move on. I asked if he felt any emotional and sentimentals attachment, his answer to me. "I have to put food on the table." We left the place feeling a little different from the rest, maybe a sense of loss.
Andy Stanley quoted this, "When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near." Unless and until we see success in the next generation, we are never really successful. It reminded us of what Ps Edmund mentioned in the IDMC - "If one generation neglects, the next generation rejects."
#8) An Effective Team Knows their Priorities and Enjoy the Team
By the time we were at the hawker stall selling hakka yong toufu, the JLJ somehow knew, we were among one of the last teams. Yet there was no strife, fretfulness and the compeling need to win the race. Yes, we want to complete the race and complete it well. We want to connect with people, not just the food. We want to enjoy what we are doing, and enjoying each other. I believe this is one of the reasons why we were stripped of the stress to win. Adding to that, the team needs to know our values, our purposes and our priorities. This make us effective and an enjoyable team. We began to appreciate the adverse personalities in the team and our differences. We are developing into a better team. We allow JJ to lead, Jess to take the backstage and me to connect. We are relaxed at who we are without compromising our functional roles. Chemistry matters too.
#9) Someone must pay the price of Paving the way
Our last stopped is at the Kuih Nonya Moh Teng family business. We met Mrs Mook who is so willingly to share her skills and her family status. I asked if the business was inherited from her father or her father-in-law. We dicovered that both families were in the same trade of making kuihs. Mrs Mook's son is presently statiioned at KL making Mook's Pizza and are distributing to local peddlars. Mrs Mook told us that his son is keen to take the business to another step instead of just revolving around nonya kuihs. Mrs Mook concluded that her faither and in-laws paved the way for them. They paved the way for their children and allowing them to take it further. Reminded me of what John Maxwell mentioned," If I succeed without sacrifice, then it is because someone went before me made the sacrifice. If I sacrifice and do not see success, then someone who follows will reap success from my sacrifice."
#10) We Start as a Team, We End as a Team
On our way back to the destination, there was a possibility that the team was splitted because of an unforseen circumstances. However, JLJ spoke the same language even without comparing our notes - We start as a Team, we End as a Team.
Conclusion:
We came in last. But there's nothing to lose actually but more to gain.
We gain relationships within the team and the people we met
We gain perspective and broaden our scope as a team and in leadership
We gain precious lessons and principles gleaned out from the experience.
And we truly and throughly enjoy the race.
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