Despite being around for more than 3 years as a full-time officer in BB and being the ANTS headcoach in Perak and Johor, it is actually my first time headcoaching in my own home grounds. It was a relatively big group this year for KL standards.. 39 ANTS participants under the care of 11 officers, instructors and site administrators. The BNTS side had 25 participants and 6 officers, which is rare because the size of participants for BNTS is usually two times bigger. Oh well, first time for everything.
I don't consider myself a very good headcoach. A headcoach needs to be strict (which I am) and fierce (which I am the total opposite). But I was the only one in KL who knew the whole modus operandi of the ANTS, hence me getting the procedures for the year. I think in terms of program and carrying out instructions.. it was alright. Next year, hopefully someone who isn't a comedian and who doesn't feel bad making people cry can take over as headcoach.
Now about the trainees. We had three squads this year with Giok Hui, Andrew Tan and Edward Tai taking one each. Somehow, these bunch took awhile to get to know each other. Initially, not very cooperative too. That's with each other and with ME. Some of them were quiet as well. I'm the type that gets genuinely pissed off when easy questions are asked and I don't get a reply.. cause I'm angry at the fact I was ignored and that they are insulting their own intelligence by not telling themselves they can (we're talking about kindergarten level questions, like "How was breakfast?" btw).
There are several factors to this. (1) Clash of culture - These was clear "Kebangsaan School" and "Chinese School" mentality. Kebangsaan School trainees were generally participated and interacted more with each other and with the coaches. The ones from Chinese Schools are very reserved and at times, refused to cooperate. Makes me wonder what's the teaching MO in these school - Sit down and shut up = good? Anyway, towards the last night most of them stepped out of the cocoon.. but hopefully they'll learn that to survive in the working world, you need to impress and interact... unless they do some kinda data entry job or something.
Another factors was (2) Language - some participants were Chinese-speaking-only members. While on the form, it has already mentioned that the course was in English and I've even email some companies back ill-advising them to send their members and instead recommended them to go to another State ANTS which provides for the lessons in Chinese, naturally these companies think I was just kidding as well and sent their members anyway. Next time, KL State will try to open a Chinese-language squad but until then, and if the course is conducted only in English, we're going to put a nice check-box with a "I hereby acknowledge that I can speak and write English, failure of which the organizers reserve the right to expelled me from camp."
The (3) company of which they came needs to shoulder some blame as well. We have been so obsessed with numbers, membership retention and showcasing that we have compromised initiative with our members. That is, officers have been doing the work for their members. Organising event, planning, whatever - all these are done by the officers nowadays. It was even evident during the ANTS itself when I had to restrain a certain officer from giving too many tips (more giving instruction) than tips to the trainees. Officers, these are kids .. of course they will make mistakes. But it is best they make mistakes now than out there in the working world. These experiences are necessary for learning. If you don't allow them to try now, where the heck are they gonna find their own self-esteem??
Last factor is (4) mindset. We are living in an age when everything comes easy. Computers, smartphones and the internet enables us to do something with far less effort than we needed just 10 years ago. Things like communication required more effort. Even food can be ordered and delivered to your doorstep, for a fee which a talking, breathing money dispenser will take care off. Being a kid in the 21st Century has little consequence. It has even reached a point when they are confident that their parents will take care of them despite them reaching a working age. Yep, they only get screwed when their parents move on I guess .. but we need another few decades to be able to observe that last bit.
Well, problems are problems.. they will always be there. The job for me is to find a solution to it. Eventually, they all did get along and it was alright towards the end.. despite the massively slow start.
We tried something different this year, which was getting the ANTS guys to cook their own meal. I thought it'd be more logical to do it this way since we get them to bring their mess-tins every ANTS. So finally, we are getting them to use it again. Members are given an allowance, asked to budget and plan their own meals. Incentives for the best dish came in the form of a significant reduction in accumulated starjumps (which they forgot to claim).
As per tradition, the last night proved to be a long one with trainees jumping their socks off until the wee hours of the night, almost hitting daylight. This year's entry clocked it at 38 "lots" which finished at 5.30am.
The punishments in the end of the day was just another form of motivation to get them to produce results. There were certain rewards too in the camp, the most significant is the knowledge and experience. It is my hope that everyone that's been through the ANTS can serve their company and community better by realising their leadership potential.
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