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Ever seen a Christmas Tree with its lights connected in sequence? It is a pretty sight, but if a single bulb is removed, the circuit is broken and the entire tree goes dark. Chief of Defence Force (CDF), LG Desmond Kuek used this analogy to describe the importance of engaging every one of our people, at the CDF Seminar held on 25 February in SAF Training Institute (Military Institute). The theme of the seminar was 'Strengthening Engagement, Deepening Commitment'.
In his address, CDF emphasised the need to be sincere about engagement. He said, "You may know how to practise engagement, know what to say and have all the tools to do it. However, if you don't have a heart-felt sense of wanting to connect, people will see right through you – that it's just another thing you have to do as commander. As leaders and commanders, you have to care about the well-being of every single being under your charge." With a smile, he said, "Mission success is dependent on every single soldier being plugged in. When you press the button, you don't want the lights to be short-circuiting."
Seminar Facilitator and Head Performance and Engagement, LTC Kevin Chin explained how our Army's engagement efforts fall into the greater framework of commitment to defence. He also shared the findings of the Army Employee Engagement Survey which showed an improvement from 56% (2005) to 61% (2006) – certainly a good start, according to him. Commander 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, COL Tay Boon Khai elaborated on how the two frameworks of 'Army Culture and Experience (ACE)' and 'Leadership and Learning, Image and Identity, Values and Experience (L.I.V.E)' have benefited ground units. He said, "They help us to focus on things we have to do to engage our people and pay attention to those areas we have overlooked. The ACE and L.I.V.E movements energise ground commanders, because they know their efforts are supported by their superiors and peers, and because they provide funds that we can tap to organise activities to engage our people!"
The seminar was also a chance for commanders to share their experience and ideas on engagement. Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Intelligence), COL Yeo See Peng said, "Engagement isn't just about the big career issues. It's also the little things you do to make the SAF a pleasant place to work. For example, you need to set aside time to interview your men."
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