Finally AOH is over. I had been covering the army open house for the past few weeks. Nice experience to have, although weekends are burnt. and I missed a few episodes of “溏心风暴.” I learnt quite a few things.

I managed to get first-hand observation of how things are done and put into place – meaning the preparation, work flow and all, small things being put together to form a bigger picture.

External contractors and NSFs work together to organise, set-up tents and booths, banners and so on. But controlling a big group of soldiers is a difficult task at hand. And to persuade them to work willingly to achieve a common goal is not easy. It is like asking “Sai Gang Warriors” – (soldiers who are tasked to do things that nobody wants to do) to work willingly with a smile on their face.

My duty was to cover their safety while they were loading the stores and equipment, which means most of the time, I will be at the water point using “eye-power”, being alert and staying in standby-mode, looking at people working.

Observing how people work has its own merits (not being sarcastic, seriously) because I learn a few lessons.

First thing I noticed is the importance of briefing.

Briefing gives the soldiers a vague idea of how things is going to be carried out. Briefing is commonly done but usually they are too long-winded and “flat”(as in “say already equals to never say at all”). Ideally, it should be short and sweet and highly- motivating. So that it gives a morale boost. Otherwise, it will affect the whole day of work. So a good motivating brief will be like a cup of strong coffee for the soldiers.

Second thing is planning, meaning who is going to do what. Be honest about it. Everyone is going to work hard together.

Third is flexibility, not meaning by left or by right. Up to individual to decide as long as it does not go against values and ethnics or create trouble for others. Sometimes things don’t always work out as what is planned. Don’t stick to one idea religiously.

Fourth is timing with estimation, not rigid timing. Don’t have to be very, very early. Just on time is good enough, because you are still not late. This is a skill that is not easy to learn. From young we were always told to keep to time. In schools, if we are late, we would serve detention after school. Yes, keeping to time is important, simple and straightforward, but there is no need to be kiasu about it and rushes things.

If flag-raising in school starts at 7.45am. Reaching school between 7-7.30am is just nice.

Unluckily, if you are late, don’t panic.(Army context only. This does not apply for school children) Else, your soldiers start panicking and things will turn out worse. And most importantly, if you don’t work last minute, chances are you would still have sufficient time to make changes. What I am trying to say is, just nice is enough.

If you are really, really, really afraid of being late, then do things in advance. My father once told me during his army days, one of his friend wore smart-four uniform to bed. So the next morning, all he had to do is just wear his boots and off he goes to report to the commanders. Most of the time, we laugh at this type of odd behaviour, including myself. Amid the laughters, my father explained. His friend knowing himself is slow, did that so that the whole platoon would be spared of punishment, for being late due to his slowness. Respectable man indeed. Laughing should stop by now

Fifth lesson is “shit happens.” During my SIT-TEST in BMT, I learnt from a reservist commander that there’s something called Murphy’s Law. It says literally “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” As a medic, I will always keep this phase in my head. Things can go wrong, so if anything goes wrong, don’t panic.

Because of this law, all the above lessons make sense.

In design, singapore idol or any other field, we often overplan, oversell or overdo things. Sometimes, just nice is enough.