Editor’s Note: Resolution on High

As soon as I read it, I had to contact Joseph Tan to tell him that his account of resolution-setting is the best I have read in ages. In his wonderfully witty yet enlightening manner, he talks about the quality of our resolutions – from fuzzy and grainy to such high definition that TV stars would be clambering to touch up their make-up.

And while you’re at it, he says, go for 52 weekly reflections!

We’ve been doing quite a bit of reflection in past weeks. Today, we share the lessons learnt from corporate Malaysia in 2014 and how we can apply them in 2015. And our apprentice-no-more Jonathan Yabut walks us through 10 workplace resolutions we might want to consider in 2015.

On embarking on new experiences, Chris Roebuck considers the value of mindfulness to businesses. He is quick to point out that introducing change, even beneficial change that helps alleviate employee stress, is all for nought if better leadership could have prevented the initial pressure on employees altogether.

And while we’re on the topic of avoidable stress, neutralise your colleague! But in the best possible way. The advice Morag Barrett provides on dealing with toxic colleagues may be quite unexpected.

In our A Day in the Life column, Lim Lay Hsuan helps us understand who thanatologists are – a valuable yet scarce resource in our country.

The words of Cassandra Ong, once an Ultimate Frisbee skeptic, now self-proclaimed ultimazombie just leap off the page convincing us of the leadership lessons from the sport, and perhaps opening a window into why “Ultimate” is apt.

Loh Si Yan reveals her inner child and love for cartoons (or if you prefer, animation, especially if you’re a group of adults watching Rio without nieces or nephews present). When circumstances needed him to, the blue (flightless) macaw Blu had to find the strength and courage to fly right out of his comfort zone.

And at the crux of all the fervour with resolution-making is the ability to change. With regard Joseph’s low, mid and high resolution, I admit my first rock-climbing experience (unlike that of our final contributor Lee Hwai Tah) was probably on the level of cross-eyed resolution – hugging on for dear life – scrambling up the rock face without an iota of grace.

In stark contrast, Lee finds and expertly weaves lessons on change and letting go, from his first climb.

Have a fantastic read!

KAREN NEOH

Editor