Looking back to go forward into 2023

As this will be my last message to be sent for 2022, I'd like to share with you some of my reflections ka:

2022 is one of the busiest years since my retirement from Fulbright because of quite a few invitations to give talks/workshops or to moderate sessions; one regional and some domestic  trips; and several 'online' learning forums, not to mention the 52 podcast episodes my team and I successfully managed every Tuesday.

On the whole, what I've learned are:

-  My main interest has turned 'Leadership' into the first rank, and 'Internationalization' as the second. It's also amazing to notice that I've paid increased attention to the global economic and business issues when before I only touched on management. This added interest has helped so much when preparing talks and workshops ka.

- My podcast team said I am the one who's learned most from its content and diverse backgrounds of guest speakers. Can't agree more ka....got to talk with at least one Fulbright alum or junior friends or new contacts to learn how they see the world and what they think of their own circles. I also have to sharpen my brain thinking more creatively for each month's theme to make it attractive and useful.

- Attending some online courses has extended my world to some different fields other than education, and driven me to select what to learn more. One favorite event was 'The Standard Economic Forum' (can watch the events till March next year). It was really an enriching experience to have some new perspectives and knowledge from economics and international affairs to climate change and new businesses; some new faces for me to follow their work; a glimpse into the latest trends and technologies; existing conflicts and possible options; younger gens' ways of thinking and working, etc.  

In addition, I had several other courses to learn about my inner self and how to stay calm and grow like meditation and art therapy for example. 

- Giving talks or serving as moderator was another aspect that helped me learn and improve from my preparations and communication to best fit with various groups of audience, with success at different degrees from my own assessments to get A minus to C.

- I have set aside some quality time for myself to relax and exercise, for getting together with family and friends.....can always do more for sure ka.

For 2023, I'm ready to enter it with commitment to learning and sharing more while hoping to care for both those I love and those I don't know ka.

Happy holidays and stay in excellent health na ka, everyone.

Desire Your Life

 Hello all. I believe you all are enjoying one real cool morning if you're in Bangkok ka! 

Yesterday, I attended a one-day workshop entitled, 'Desire Your Life', led by a junior friend (Nong Lek-Khun Parichart Raktabutr) who owns a page called, 'New Journey of Life' ka. I registered without delay as she's accumulated knowledge and experience attending quite a few training sessions. The most important is that she's practiced what she's learned for decades. 

The objectives of the workshop were to enhance our own desires for physical and mental wellbeing.

I'd like to share it into two parts as follows ka:

1. Techniques used:

- Introduction using one thing to represent who we are....this gave me some fun feeling to find it ka. I brought a dolphin which is one of many decoration items I have ka....showing my love of freedom, the world, my attachment with my ship gang, etc. This could be one good ice breaking tool to use ka.

- Sharing some key-turning-point stories of the session lead....honest sharing about herself especially on life and death matters

- Using a mirror to look at our eyes closely, convincing ourselves how unique and wonderful we are 

- Playing a children's traditional game of รีรีข้าวสาร and dancing as leads and followers, going back in time to feel like kids

- Having brief closed-eyes, peaceful moments and  opening our eyes to meet someone's eyes who would be our partner to share childhood stories 

- Picking an oracle card to get reading what would happen next year

- Writing a letter to our own selves to express our wishes for next year

2. Learning:

- The integrated techniques created a pleasant environment and a very 'safe zone' for strangers to share with few conditions.

- I was amazed to learn that quite a number of quality differing short-course sessions are offered and it seems that some work real well and could be 'an addition', 'an escape', for us to do in our free or down times or even to dig deeply to find other talents in us ka. Can't help thinking of our universities what and how they need to do, learn, initiate, collaborate, complement or redirect.

- Quite a few out there in the world suffer from various issues beyond my own imagination and this kind of workshop could become an initial healer or 'a trigger' to alert us of what could have been too much or too little ka.

- I found a few things about myself like never looking closely and carefully into my eyes (and I sure saw one determined and lively pair of eyes), talked about work very little (even though I work quite a bit still na ka), meditation I practice has become one of my important elements, etc.

- A must to take extra care of my physical self to be able to lead a better life is a must to be serious next year and beyond ka.

Sanuk and in fact suk inside ka.

Happy cool Monday ka.

Generational issues?

 Again, for this week, I'd like to share from  'Standard Economic Forum 2022' on the session of 'Generation Hope' ka. 

The panelists were: Parit Wacharasindhu (Itim), Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva's nephew who is quite popular among the youth; Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok;

Anna Sueangam-iam,  Miss Universe Thailand 2022; and Komsan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Flash Express, Thailand's first Unicorn.

My lessons learned from this session were:

1. Generation gaps are widening. Key sentences popped up often were: 'younger voices aren't heard.' and 'there is no safe zone for kids to express their views.'.

Senior leaders and adults need to listen actively with actions to be seen ka.

2. It seems that the younger generation could have a different set of values from the older ones. Only Khun Komson was touching on grit, motherland and family values. One was stressing on 'fairness'.

When relating 'fairness' with 'social equality', I think it should include discussions on 'attitude', 'equal treatment', and our 'cultural dimensions' as well, not simply adopt western thinking and approaches ka. 

3. Younger ones want to have active participation and they know they are better skilled in some ways especially technology. They are frustrated about the quality of education, politics, and other world challenges.They feel they've been imposed and it could be like 'top down' which I would think of the older as 'Very kind adults to offer the best for the young'.....what they don't find relevant to their needs and 'being'.  I agreed with Itim who said we all have to join hands to create favorable societies together, not from the old to the younger.

While both 'groups' seem to feel they're ready to listen and work together, values sets must be known and better understood ka.

One example raised was about the 'Student Loan Fund'. I personally feel it needs to be reset for mutual understanding and agreement of students and the loan management team. 

4. No one touched on our own cultural traditions directly though some discussions implied that they all had to be wiped out altogether. Treating each other equal means something different from the West and definitely this dimension must be taken up and jointly reviewed ka. Respect in the Thai way could also be a gentle touch that some younger ones may interpret it differently ka.

Asking me if this session sounded hopeful, I wasn't sure but I think there's still hope as many out there mean well and have been doing good in their little corners ka.

Leaders needed?

 Hello all!

The past weekend, I watched several sessions from 'The Standard Economic Forum 2022' again....the ones that I missed earlier on ka.  Found one I liked and wished to share, which was 'The Future of Leadership' by Khun Krating Poonpol, Chairman of Kasikorn Business Technology Group (KBTG) and Founder of 500 TukTuks ka. Powerful dee ka.

 

Khun Krating stressed BANI (Brittle, A, Non-linear and Incomprehensible) with I as the most important. He said with the speed of changes in the present world, even people that have been recognized as 'Leaders of All TIme' (like several US presidents) wouldn't possibly lead. 

Before one can be a leader, he/she has to be one good human being, stand firm on the principles and do the right things.

Leaders are to give and serve more. Leadership is earned and the recognition is 'license to lead'. 

One good equation of Trust is Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy divided by Self-orientation --- when we think of doing for others over what it is for our own sake and self, it's the best ka.

He said leaders in the new world must be open and ready to adjust, share, and learn. They must support the teams, show personal actions, inspire and make changes to enable positive impacts.  

We can change or adjust plans but never change the vision!

In any case, don't wait for any white knights to help. Each has to depend on one's own self from individuals to national levels. Leadership has to be in everyone! 

Be hopeful and pass on the 'candles of hope' for our country to be lightened up and prosper again!

Worth listening, thinking along, and managing our own selves favorably to turn our country around ka!