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Article from ST Recruit, 23 February 2005
Reap what you sow
If you take time to “give back to society”, it will benefit you more than you will ever know, says a career coach
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the international community-based organisation, Rotary International. On this day in 1905, a Chicago-based lawyer, Paul Harris, gathered with a group of his friends, also professionals in their own right, after work for a beer.
It was then that the concept of professionals getting together, not only to socialise, but also to “give back” to society was conceived. Mr Harris and his friends subsequently called the organisation Rotary, as they rotated and took turns to host the weekly get-togethers at different locations.
Amidst work and life demands, it is good to think about giving back to the same society that you “took” from in order to achieve what you have today.
Before you say: “I am not ready as I do not have the time”, know that you will never find the time. Any time is the right time to do community work.
I joined Rotary at about the same time as I became an enterpreneur. I have not looked back since. The truth is that giving back has its benefits.
The lessons I have learned in voluntary work have helped me both at work and in my personal life. Here are some of the benefits:
Sharpening of leadership skills
Leading a group of volunteers is not quite the same as leading a team of colleagues in the corporate world. In the latter, you have rank to pull when working with your subordinates to handle a project. As a leader in a voluntary organisation, you are supposed to lead a team of volunteers who do not have to listen to you if they do not want to. This is where you learn to use your persuasion and negotiation skills to motivate your fellow volunteers to get things done.
Network enhancement
Joining a volunteer organisation can lead you to a wider network of contacts that you would otherwise not have the chance to meet. Networking, as we all know, is an important corporate and business survival skill.
Through my involvement in various voluntary community and professional associations, I have made friends in many parts of the world. For example, if I had to fly to Finland now, I would know who to call should I need any help.
Sharpen your communication and presentation skills
Most voluntary organisations face one common challenge: The need to secure public or corporate funds to sustain their activities. Preparing a Powerpoint presentation to state your case for needing the money is an interesting and unique challenge, and a professional one too.
It is not quite the same as convincing your customers to buy your products and services, or to invest in your company.
Convincing a potential sponsor to part with his money to invest in your voluntary activities to help the less advantaged, is an appeal to his compassion. And when you are successful, you get a high knowing that you are a step closer to helping someone lead a better life.
Attain a better work and life balance
Volunteering can definitely lead to a better work and life balance. You learn to appreciate that there is more to life than just your career and your family, and it is just not a case of I, mine and ours.
As a parent, I found it a good way to teach my children about the less fortunate and to look beyond what they take for granted. Some years ago, I took my 14-year-old daughter with me to Cambodia to build houses for the poor. That experience was very humbling for the both of us.
Peace of mind
Perhaps the greatest benefit I derived from my volunteering work is to be able to sleep well at night, knowing that I have helped others who are denied many of the things in life that we in Singapore take for granted. This thought never fails to comfort me as I drift off to sleep. I know that I have not only fed my body, but also my soul.
Article by Paul Heng, past president, Rotary Club of Bugis Junction, Singapore and honorary president of the Asian Association of Career Management Professionals. This article first appeared in ST Recruit on February 23, 2005.
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