SAFTI first in Singapore
Recently Wade and I travelled to Singapore to initiate a project involving JOLT Challenge as part of the CLD (Centre for Leadership Development) with SAFTI (Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute). FYI I’m doing the acronyms as along the driveway to the Institute there was a sign that listed about 10 or more! So keeping with the theme. No need to waste time with words!
My first visit and Wade's second proved to be very successful and fulfilling at the same time. More of the fulfilling of our belly area from all the great Singaporean food that was on offer. It didn't help that our host LTC Psalm Lew was a foodie. Not only, a foodie but an encyclopaedia of Singapore. In fact there was only a couple of times Psalm couldn’t answer a question as we drove around, which almost left us in shock. Needless to say we learnt a lot about Singapore than the average visitor would.
I have to say I warmed to the idea of compulsory military training for youth. They call this their National Service (NS) where all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents must enrol in the military for 2 years of training when they reach 18yrs. They do have a choice though as an NSF in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) the Singapore Police Force (SPF) or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Most enrol in the SAF.
Why I warmed to it was that with a multi-cultural society like Singapore, it is a great way to bring people together under a set of common values, while providing skills, discipline and direction for many of their youth. Something that New Zealand could do with. Hold on, we’ve been there and done that a few times…
Compulsory Military Training (CMT) was first introduced in New Zealand in 1909 and applied to males from 14 - 21years. It was abolished in 1932 and conscription was reintroduced again in 1940 after the Second World War broke out. In 1949 an act was passed where all males were liable for CMT upon reaching 18yrs. This involved 14 weeks intensive, full time training, three years part time and 6 years in the Army reserve! They served the Army, Air force or Navy, and then, yes, it was abolished again in 1958. Under the Keith Holyoake national government in 1962 CMT was reintroduced and termed National Service until finally in 1972 the Norman Kirk led government finally abolished it.
Looking now at the current day NZ, diversity is something that Kiwis are having to deal with more and more as individuals and employers as our multi-cultural society develops, especially so in the city areas. With little to unite the variety of cultures we host towards a common purpose, it becomes easy to criticise each other. With people better understanding themselves there is a higher likelihood they will be more accepting and better understand others, having a higher propensity for diversity.
SAFTI acknowledges Self Intelligence (self awareness and self management) as a meta-competency among other core competencies in their leadership development.The JOLT Challenge content and methodology aligns extremely well with their existing frameworks.
We ran a few workshops introducing them to our methodology around JOLT Challenge & experiencing aspects of the program, Wade as usual doing a fantastic job facilitating them. All in all, a great start to the project.
I enjoyed Singapore and the guys at SAFTI are a great bunch of people. I can see why Singapore is such a hub to the rest of Asia, with predominantly English speaking population and its location. I look forward to returning and building on the new relationships we made and working to establish the JOLT Challenge brand up there.
Oh that's right, I forgot to mention... There's nothing like a Changi airport fish spa before your return. The weirdest feeling, especially between the toes!
