Objection Your Honor

by: CY Untalan

Have you ever felt that whenever you are in a meeting you have to defend your opinions, and the other people who are there will always put holes on your argument, as if they are putting you on a defensive stand, guess what? That is a sign of a toxic working environment.

Putting employees on a defensive stand during meetings is a sign of a toxic environment because it can create a culture of fear and intimidation that inhibits creativity, collaboration, and innovation. In this type of environment, employees may feel discouraged from sharing their ideas, concerns, or feedback, which can lead to missed opportunities and reduced productivity.

When employees are forced to defend their stance during meetings, they may feel that their opinions are not valued or respected, which can lead to low morale, disengagement, and high turnover rates. Furthermore, when employees are constantly on the defensive, it can create a hostile and competitive atmosphere that can hinder teamwork and erode trust among team members.

A toxic work environment can have negative effects on the mental and physical health of employees. It can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, which can have long-term consequences on the well-being of employees and the organization.

Additionally, a toxic work environment can negatively impact the reputation of the organization, which can affect its ability to attract and retain top talent.

To avoid creating a toxic work environment, it is important to promote a culture of respect, openness, and collaboration. Leaders should encourage employees to share their opinions, ideas, and feedback freely without fear of retribution. They should create an environment where employees feel empowered to take risks, challenge the status quo, and experiment with new ideas.

Leaders should also model positive behaviors that promote a healthy work environment, such as active listening, empathy, and constructive feedback. They should be open to receiving feedback from employees and take steps to address concerns or issues raised by their team members.

In conclusion, putting employees on a defensive stand during meetings is a sign of a toxic work environment that can have negative consequences on the mental and physical health of employees and the productivity and reputation of the organization. It is essential to create a culture of respect, openness, and collaboration to foster a healthy work environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the success of the organization.

Your best is not the best thing to do.

By:CY Untalan

“I did my best, but I guess my best wasn’t good enough”

Have you ever hear that song lyric, well because sometimes doing our best is not what is needed from us.

Hey there! So, you might think that success is guaranteed by putting in your best effort, but that's not always the case. The real key to success is doing what you're supposed to do, and doing it right and on time. Here's why:

Firstly, when you do what you're required to do, you know exactly what you need to achieve. This helps you focus and avoid getting sidetracked. Plus, it shows that you're a reliable person who can be counted on to meet expectations.

Secondly, doing something properly is super important because it ensures that your work is top-notch. This means you're paying attention to the details, following instructions, and not taking shortcuts. When you put in the time to do it right, you'll create high-quality work that impresses everyone around you.

Lastly, doing things on time is crucial because it shows that you're dependable and good at managing your time. Missing deadlines can have serious consequences, so it's important to stay on top of things. When you deliver work on time, you'll build trust with your colleagues, boss, and clients. And that can lead to even more success in the future.

So, to sum it up: if you want to be successful, focus on doing what's required, doing it right, and doing it on time. When you put in the effort to meet expectations, you'll be setting yourself up for a lot of success!

Let Them Fail

(Using a No Win Scenario to Teach Agile Teams)

by:CY Untalan

Have you seen a Scrum Master or an Agile Coach let a team fail? even though they know that what they are doing is prone to failure, why did they do that to their own team? In agile we value failure and most of the time there are more lessons it  would teach us rather than success.

When it comes to complex problem-solving in the corporate world, agility has become an increasingly popular approach. It is a highly effective way to reduce risk and increase the efficiency of projects.

But even with its many successful implementations, incidents of failure still occur. What should we do when failure inevitably strikes? By looking at the famous Star Trek Kobayashi Maru scenario, we can learn some important lessons about how to use failure as a learning opportunity in agile practices.

The Kobayashi Maru is a no-win scenario, a situation in which the only available options are failure or disaster. It is used in Starfleet training to force cadets to think outside the box, using creative problem-solving rather than relying on conventional solutions.

This is exactly the kind of attitude we need to take when agile practice inevitably fails. Instead of simply accepting failure, we should take the opportunity to reflect and look for ways to improve.

One way to do this is to conduct a post-mortem following a failure. This can help identify weaknesses, pinpoint areas where improvement is needed, and plan for the future.

This is also a great opportunity to get input from other stakeholders, who may have valuable insights. Additionally, it's important to realize that failure can be a catalyst for innovation. By exploring the reasons for failure, you may find ways to turn failure into success.

Finally, it's important to note that failure should be seen as an opportunity for growth, not a discouraging experience.

We should use the Kobayashi Maru approach and find ways to learn from our mistakes. By accepting failure and looking for ways to turn it into a learning opportunity, we can ensure that agile practices remain effective and efficient.

5th Loser

by: CY Untalan

You CAN’T change the people around you, but you CAN change the people around you.

Have you ever heard the saying "when you hang out with 4 losers, the fifth one is you"? It's a witty and thought-provoking statement that's both funny and a little bit sad. But what does it really mean?

At its core, the saying is a cautionary tale about the company you keep. It suggests that if you surround yourself with people who are unsuccessful, unmotivated, or just plain lazy, you're likely to become just like them.

You might start to adopt their habits, attitudes, and behaviors, and as a result, you could find yourself stuck in a rut, going nowhere fast.

Now, you might be thinking, "But I'm not a loser! I'm my own person, and I can hang out with whoever I want!" And that's true – to a point. You should always be yourself, and you should never judge people based solely on their success or lack thereof.

However, the people you surround yourself with do have an impact on your life. They can influence your thoughts, actions, and even your beliefs. If you're always hanging out with people who complain about their jobs, their relationships, and their lives in general, it's only natural that you might start to adopt a similar outlook.

So, what's the solution? Should you only hang out with successful, motivated people? Not necessarily. But you should be intentional about the company you keep. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, who inspire you, and who share your values and goals. Seek out friends who push you to be your best self, and who encourage you to pursue your dreams.

At the end of the day, the saying "when you hang out with 4 losers, the fifth one is you" is a reminder to be mindful of the people you surround yourself with. It's not about judging others or being elitist – it's about making sure you're in a positive and supportive environment that helps you grow and succeed. So, choose your friends wisely, and remember – you are the company you keep.

Prevent Midlife Crisis by Achieving Your Desirable Status before the Age of 40

by: CY Untalan

You have seen them in your feed- 40-50 y/o pabida at parang kailangan sawsawan lahat ng issues

You have seen then them in your workplace-40-50 y/o at taong takaw sa atensyon, kailangan sila lagi ang tama, credit grabber etc.

You have seen them in your different organizations- 40-50 y/o na takaw sa position at sa pansin

So you know that midlife crisis thing? Yeah, it's no joke. People can get really down in the dumps when they hit middle age and feel like they haven't accomplished anything. So what's the key to avoiding that dreaded midlife crisis? Simple - achieve some status before you hit 40!

Now, when we talk about status, we're talking about how much of a big shot you are in the world. It could be based on how much dough you're bringing in, what kind of job you've got, how many people you know, or just how cool people think you are. Basically, it's all about feeling like you're somebody and that you're making a difference.

Studies have shown that people who are already pretty successful by the time they hit 40 tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives. They're not as likely to be questioning their whole existence or looking for something more meaningful, which sounds like a win to me.

So, what's the plan, Stan? Set yourself a goal of getting to a certain level of status before the big 4-0. Make it something that matters to you and that you're excited to work towards. Maybe it's a certain salary, a killer job title, or becoming the top dog in your industry. Then, come up with a plan of attack to get there, whether it's getting more education, making connections with the right people, or taking some risks.

If you can pull it off, you'll be feeling like a boss in no time, and you'll be way less likely to fall victim to the midlife crisis blues. Plus, you'll be showing everyone else that it's possible to make it big by putting in some hard work and going after what you want. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start climbing that status ladder!

If you Want Somebody to Succeed give Him/Her a Journal

(Kahit mumurahin lang!)

By:CY Untalan

Let me give you first some statistics.

Studies show that people who write down their goals accomplish more than those who don't.

For example, those who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.

In contrast, people without written goals are less successful. Another study found that people who had goals but didn't write them down earned less than those who wrote down their goals.

Plus, writing down your goals helps you stay focused and prioritize your tasks.

Keeping a journal can be an incredibly powerful tool for personal growth and success.

While many people view journaling as a simple hobby or creative outlet, the benefits of this practice extend far beyond artistic expression. In fact, giving someone a journal may be one of the most effective ways to help them achieve their goals and find success.

One of the primary benefits of journaling is that it provides a space for self-reflection and introspection. By taking the time to write about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, individuals can gain valuable insights into their own behaviors and patterns. They can identify areas where they need to improve, set specific goals for themselves, and track their progress over time.

This can be especially helpful for those who are pursuing a specific goal, such as starting a new business, advancing in their career, or improving their health and wellness.

In addition to promoting self-reflection, journaling can also help individuals become more mindful and present in their daily lives. When we take the time to write about our experiences, we are forced to slow down and really think about what is happening around us. This can help us appreciate the small moments of joy and beauty in our lives, as well as recognize areas where we may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

By becoming more aware of our thoughts and emotions, we can take proactive steps to manage them in healthy ways.

Another important benefit of journaling is that it provides a creative outlet for expression. When we write, we are able to put our thoughts and feelings into words in a way that may be difficult to do verbally. This can be especially helpful for those who struggle to communicate their emotions or ideas to others.

By writing in a journal, individuals can explore their own creativity, experiment with different writing styles, and express themselves freely without hindrance.

Did I Rejected a Dream Job? (or dodged a Nightmare?)

by:CY Untalan

I have been writing professionally since I was 18.

However in 2008 at 27 years old, I was offered the position of Editor-in-Chief of a men's magazine here in the Philippines, a job that could have been a huge boost to my career and a job that any warm blooded male would have wished for.

However, I decided to reject the offer because of my Christian beliefs.

As a person of faith, I knew that working for a men's magazine would be incompatible with my values. I was not comfortable with the content that the magazine would be promoting, and I did not want to be associated with it. Moreover, I did not want to be a part of an industry that sometimes exploits women and objectifies them in the name of entertainment.

I also wanted to set a good example for my daughter. I knew that if I accepted the job, it would be sending her the wrong message about my priorities and beliefs. I wanted her to be proud of me and to see that I stand by my values even when it means making difficult choices. I wanted her to know that being true to oneself is more important than any job or career.

It was not an easy decision to make, and I had to weigh the pros and cons carefully. On the one hand, I knew that the job could have been a huge opportunity for me, and it could have opened many doors in the industry. On the other hand, I knew that accepting the job would have meant compromising my values, which is something I could not do.

In the end, I decided to reject the job offer, and I felt a sense of peace and relief after doing so. I knew that I made the right decision, and that my daughter would be proud of me. Sometimes, it's not about the job title or the salary, but about doing what's right and standing up for what you believe in. And for me, that was the most important thing.

There are some nights that I wonder what could have happened if I had accepted the job.

The allure of career advancement and financial stability can be strong, and it's natural to think about what might have been. However, deep down, I know that I could not live with myself if I had compromised my beliefs for the sake of a job. I made the decision based on my values and principles, and it's something that I still stand by today.

PS- the one who accepted the job is now a country director of an International Porn website-therefore I have no regrets, because that decision could have could have spiraled into that.