Bring on the changes, 2018

As we welcome a new year, let’s arm ourselves with new skill sets and embrace disruption.

THIS has been a bittersweet Christmas for me.

Amid the seasonal cheer and celebrations with family and friends, my festivities have somewhat been dampened by Manchester United’s dismal December form. But more than that, this week has seen the departures of two of my colleagues from the company.

I consider T. Selva and Tan Ju Eng my mentors and friends. Both these senior journalists are single-company employees and have served The Star for almost 37 years each. The impact they had on me cannot be underestimated – Selva convinced me to join The Star many, many moons ago and Ju Eng was my editor in the Metro section for six years.

When you see someone in the office on a daily basis, it’s difficult to accept that you will not be colleagues anymore. I’ve learnt a lot from both of them, and my only regret is that I didn’t spend more time in their company to pick their brains and gain more insights on journalism.

Both of them have opted for early retirement and while I respect their decision, I think they will leave behind an impressive body of work and a legacy of teaching and nurturing young talent.

Because that’s life. In The Star, as in other organisations, when senior people leave, it’s up to the juniors to step up and fill their shoes. It is a cycle of renewal and regeneration.

I have seen it happen over the years. When legendary journalists eventually retire, the baton is passed on to the next generation because the show must go on and, in our case, the news must be delivered.

But what happens to retired journalists? Like cowboys, we die with our boots on!

Seriously though, once a journo, always a journo – it’s rare that reporters stop writing or reporting. It’s in our blood.

In Selva’s case, he says that he has completed his journey with The Star, but does not intend to leave the industry.

“It is time for me to share my expertise with budding journalists and industry practitioners,” he told me, adding that The Star was his first family before he got married.

“Although I am leaving with a heavy heart, I will continue to have a connection every day when I pick up the newspaper.”

Ju Eng, on the other hand, intends to do charity work as well as ensure her younger son gets into college overseas.

“I spent the last few years in the digital and video section of The Star and I intend to put the knowledge that I acquired to good use,” she said.

I wish both of them well, just as I wish the best of luck to two other friends who are moving on from their own industries. Coincidentally, this week, I learnt that two close friends of mine are leaving their companies.

One works in the watch retail industry and the other was a magazine editor. Both have had to leave because their businesses have been hit financially.

But despite the rather abrupt way they were given their notice, both of them could see the writing on the wall and have already secured new jobs. The surprising thing for me is that both of my friends are starting new jobs that are not at all related to what they did in the past.

I believe the lesson that can be learnt here is that sometimes we get too comfortable in our jobs, especially if the job you’re in is the only one you’ve had all your adult life since graduation.

Of course, I am not advocating looking for alternative employment – the current job market isn’t exactly vibrant – but I feel that employees need to arm themselves with other skill sets.

In this way, if the worst were to happen, your chances of seeking employment elsewhere would increase because employers are always on the lookout for candidates who are multiskilled and multitalented.

And even in your current workplace, change is inevitable. In other words, disruption is more than likely to happen. If you don’t embrace it, you will lose out.

So, as we bid farewell to 2017, with its share of ups and downs, let’s usher in the New Year with a fresh start. I am already looking forward to 2018 and being positive about achieving my goals. This is the time when most of us come up with a list of New Year resolutions.

I think most of us will admit that our lists of resolutions rarely get fulfilled. Upon reflection, I believe this is because we are too ambitious or dream too big. Remember, having manageable goals and a firm but flexible timeline will help keep your resolutions alive for 2018.