On leadership

I've been walking around my neighbourhood alot lately. For two main reason. The first was that I needed to have a change of environment instead of being cooped up in a silent house all day long staring at the laptop screen. My parents are away in Taiwan for holiday, and my sister never spends more than her limited sleeping hours in the house. The second reason has got to do with my photojourn project, which I decided should be on my neighbourhood.

So I've been going around and photographing all the familiar places. And I've been plucking up my courage to go talk to the people in my neighbourhood. I decided that the least harmless people are the aunties, who love a good gossip anyday. It's slightly easier when you are a familiar face in the coffeeshops and convenience stores. I eat at the coffeeshop or hawker center everyday, to the point that the coffee aunty knows what drink I want the moment I sit down at the table. But in a way it's also difficult. How do I make pictures of things and people who seemed so ordinary to me? That's a thing that many photographers struggle with. But I am trying, to open my mind and eyes to the ongoings of my neighbourhood.

And last night while I was eating at the coffeeshop again, the Member of Parliament for my GRC Cynthia Phua happened to be doing her walkabout and was at the coffeeshop too. Since I happened to have my camera with me, I decided to go up and take some pictures of her. When she saw me doing that, she came up and talked to me. This is the first time since the last election that I've seen her, and I wondered at the regularity of these walkabouts. I mean, I know the MPs are real busy people, but I think as a leader of the country it is important to get a sense of the people at the grassroots level. But she did invite me to the weekly Meet-the-People session to see what she does, so perhaps I'll go and take a peek next week. Some ministers are so ivory tower I don't think they have ever taken an MRT or bus ride in Singapore before. But really, I think one of the hallmarks of a great leader is the ability to connect to those he/she leads. If a leader can't empathize with the commoners, then no matter how capable they are they will never be able to win their loyalty and support. Yes the people will still do their bidding, but not with respect.

So Mdm Cynthia Phua asked if I wanted a photo with her. I mean, it's not like I can say no to an MP right, much as I hate having my photo taken. So there I was, in my unglam shorts and slippers and messy hair, having my photo taken with the MP while the rest of the folks at the coffeeshop watch with amusement. I shall break an unwritten blog rule of mine and post a picture of myself here. Notice I didn't even bother editing my own photo to look less unglam.

I think I'll avoid eating at the coffeeshop for the next few days.