We believe that anyone can be a master in what they do by honing and sharpening their craft in their chosen field. Our “In the Flow” performance interviews
are an exploration of what it takes for people to be really good in their area of expertise. In this edition, we speak with William Ng, a driving instructor
at Bukit Batok Driving Centre. Let’s find out more about William’s story.
How long have you been in this industry and what made you want to be a driving instructor in the first place?
I have been working as a driving instructor for 26 years now. I was a salesman first before I volunteered in the police force, but ultimately found my passion in teaching the rules of the road to teenagers across this great land and setting them up for a safe and defensive driving future. Despite the enormous responsibility that comes with it, I found it more pleasurable and meaningful than meeting a sales quota.
You’ve been in this job for more than two decades now. What continues to motivate you to work as a driving instructor?
The sense of accomplishment I get when I see my students pass their driving test. Like any other educators would agree, it is never an easy task to guarantee the full understanding of our students, but when they pass their test, I know my effort did not go down the drain; it’s an affirmation.
What gets you into the zone at work?
Besides mentally preparing myself for work every morning, my family plays a huge part in my ability to be fully involved and focused at work. Knowing that my children are old enough to take care of themselves and my elderly father, I am able to fulfil my responsibilities at work wholeheartedly.
You mentioned that you mentally prepare yourself for work each morning – how do you go about doing it? Can you provide a specific example?
Like other video gamers who spent their previous night gaming to unearthly hours, I wake up almost every weekday hoping that I have another 10 to 15 minutes to snooze. However, once I get out of the house, the journey to work will always be a mental recitation of my tasks or duties for the day. By the time I get to work, I am always ready to rave.
What do you consider your greatest reward from this job?
Learning the true significance of “loving what you do and doing what you love”. Nothing beats going to work to those amiable and precious friendships I have built with my co-workers and my customers and then going home to a wonderful and supportive family.
If you were interviewing someone for a driving instructor position, what traits would you look for?
I would look for a reliable individual who is devoted to what they do and patient in teaching their students the essential rules of driving, as well as someone who is cheerful and optimistic. And because I believe that it is important to uphold our high standards of service, the interviewee would need to show that he or she can be considerate and sensitive towards others’ needs and concerns.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, William!
In conclusion, here are three things we can learn from William’s experience.
- Mastery is about passion and gaining a sense of accomplishment from what you do.
- It takes a village to raise a child, and the same is true for a master. Family, friends and colleagues all play important roles in nurturing and realising
human potential. - There will be ups and downs. It’s passion that fuels resilience and helps us overcome the lows.
May we all find our calling, and more importantly, may we heed our calling for 2016!