Learning ESQ-based in policy management

Ten senior government officers emerged from their two-day retreat at Civil Service Institute with new knowledge and know-how on ESQ-based (Emotional Spiritual Intelligent-based) policy making and management techniques.

    

They have not only gained valuable new knowledge in contemporary policy management techniques at the two-day crash course, but importantly they have discovered on how to add values and excel in their works should they apply emotional and spiritual intelligence in the process.

“It’s all been there all these while, but because our brains were so over-loaded with the technical jargons in contemporary management, we could not see and appreciate them”, commented some of the course participants.

“The two-day crash course has helped refresh and reset our mind setting on modern management to be in sync with MIB paradigm. Now we understand it better and would definitely apply them in our thinking process”.

“It may not be a new thing in the context of contemporary and universally accepted management practices, but it is undeniably emotionally and spiritually uplifting”, they added when asked to share their views of the two-day workshop.

The first day session took them back in time to learn from the invaluable experiences of the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien in building the nation from an unknown small backwater country to a modern state.

They recited his famous ‘Syair Perlembagaan’, studied and dissected it for tips on his mission statement, purpose and his objectives, on how he emphasised on the human dimension in his strategy, how he championed inclusive development and so on and so forth.

They then learned on how to use modern tools in policy making and policy management but with added values by applying Islamic perspectives in the management of policies in protecting religion, life, intellect, property and lineage/honour.

Also came under scrutiny was the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja as a paradigm, the operational aspects of Negara Zikir, the need to preserve and sustain the nation as a prosperous, peaceful and tranquil nation ever-blessed by Allah in its journey to realise Vision 2035.

The two-day course was organised by Institut Perkhidmatan Awam (Civil Service Institute) of the Prime Minister’s Department. It was conducted by PPP Ilmu Alim, a registered local consultancy firm with IPA.

Studying the wisdom of Sultan’s late father on policy management

 

The wisdom of the legendary Architect of Modern Brunei in policy management came under study at a two-day intensive course on policy management organised by Institut Perkhidmatan Awam (Civil service Institute) of the Prime Minister's Office.

A dozen of B2 civil servants from various government agencies participated at the two-day workshop from 17-18 June 2014. It is conducted by PPP Ilmu Alim, a local consultancy firm.

The participants did not only have fun reciting the rich 'syair' or poem of Al Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien lll, the 28th Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, but studying it for valuable tips from his wisdom in nation building.

The Royal Poet wrote the syair in time of facing great challenges in his efforts to lead his nation through a trying transformation period from a backwater small country to a modern state.

One of his greatest achievements was the introduction of Brunei's very own constitution in 1959. Much efforts and thoughts were put in formulating the constitution that enshrined very much of current Brunei's policies in nationhood, principles of governance, its mission and vision.  And in his own noble way, he penned down and immortalized every bit of his aspirations, concern, fear and hope in the syair.

PPP Ilmu Alim sees its fitting to present this syair as a case study on how policies were designed and managed in the style of Melayu Islam Beraja.

That was just the dessert for the first day session. But it was already an exciting day for participants who see it as an interesting study tour of the success story of the Father of the Nation.

Picking up all the elements of good practices in his policy management practices and putting them in the context of modern management was a pleasant and exciting discovery for many of the participants especially when discovering for themselves how wise and visionary was the Architect of the Modern Brunei in laying the foundation of success for generations to come.

The participants will round up their two-day workshop today (Wednesday) with more interesting hands on training on best practices in policy making and management.

Strategic Planning Made Easy the MIB Way

Over a dozen senior government officers were taken off from their daily routine and sent back to Institut Perkhidmatan Awam (IPA) classroom to refresh their knowledge in the disciplines and processes in strategic planning.

The participants comprising Division 1, B2 and B3 civil servants from various government agencies spent two days behind their desks learning the ropes in strategic management and on how to use proper tools and techniques in strategic planning. 

The two-day workshop on Strategic Planning was conducted by PPP Ilmu Alim, a local management consultancy firm. It is part of IPA's many training programs in facilitating government continuous efforts to  enhance the capabilities and competencies of civil servants in the public sector. Dato Paduka Malai Haji Ali Othman, the Principal Consultant of the firm was at hand to facilitate the training session.

Participants at a stimulating training session

The participants were put to task in a challenging strategic planning process environment. 

They were given assignments to crack their heads on problem solving techniques and on strategic analysis. Their case study interestingly is Brunei Vision 2035 and how each of their respective departments aligns its objectives, mission and vision in support of the bigger picture.

Brunei Vision 2035 education strategy, economic strategy, security strategy, local business development strategy, social security and so on and so forth came under their scrutiny. 

But what are most interesting are the methodologies and disciplines they applied in scrutinizing the issues.

The participants were reminded of the many management and training tools and practices that include six sigma, strategic and critical thinking, SWOT analysis.

While appreciating these tools, the participants were challenged to align these practices and were  taught on how to apply the emotional and  spiritual practices and gain the divine  values  of ‘INSAF’, ‘TAFAKUR’, ‘TAUBAT’ and ‘TAWAKAL’ in strategic planning, analysis and problem solving.

Also taken out from the teaching of the al-Quran and Sunnah and use as an application in management is how to apply the Islamic concepts of ‘WAJIB’ (MUST DO), ‘SUNAT’ (NEED TO DO) and ‘MAKROH’ (NICE TO DO) in prioritising issues and actions.

At the start of the workshop, participants were at first uneasy when they were told to recite the poem of Al Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien. The messages of the poem later hit home when they were told to study and deciphers it messages for good values in strategi planning and management.

“Oh yes it’s all here…good practice in management”, exclaimed some of the participants appreciating their new discovery. (For more pictures click here)