Happy start of 2024 with 'Excellence'

 Happy New Year ka, everyone! Hope this year has started nicely for you and your loved ones ka.

As you may notice from the subject when the word 'Excellence' is with a capital 'E'! It's the title of the book I read written by Kevin and Rosie Duncan ka.

It's an easy read and I'd like to share a few from my highlights:

- Like this quote by Will Durant, historian, after Aristotle which reads, 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.' 

- ....we are happier, more productive human beings if we are working in line with our values. This confirms how important 'values' are to our lives and it made me go back to review my values table and they stay the same whcih are learning, caring and sharing, and gratitude. Yours la ka?

- One story that hit me hard is about a British poet, Simon Armitage who returned to his hometown to a second-hand bookshop. There, he found his own book with his own handwriting that reads, 'To Mum and Dad'. This chapter was discussing, 'No one else is interested'. 

What pops up in your mind ka? Could be quite a few reasons but it sure tells us not to think too much when we're being judged. In fact, I was thinking that it also tells us not to judge too fast as well mai ka?

- Memories and experiences over materials that make us happy. Experiences offer us a long lasting memory and create deeper bond.! We could offer more pleasant experiences ka.

- Stress (proper level, I think) could be healthy too ka. It could be the best friend of progress and forward motion.

- I like these two simple questions to ask ourselves once in a while ka, 'are we doing too much or too little? and 'would it help?', reminding us to be more aware of issues, our approaches, and our state of mind na ka.

- Interesting stats ka: Many adults with children estimate that about 70-80% of their children's dialogues were made up of questions while among the adults, the estimate was 15-25%.....need to ask many more na ka!

- Learn to embrace uncertainty and choose to follow the power of acceptance sometimes. 

Anything you like in particular mai ka?

May your 2024 continue with excellence as your happy habit ka.

Bye bye to 2023

 Dear all, how do you feel this is the last week of 2023 ka? Any of you is like me mai ka, feeling it's gone by so very fast?

The other day, I attended a workshop on, 'The Flow of Life', which led us to look at each phase of our life from 0-21 (phase of 'Who Am I?'  to 21-42 (stage of 'I will become') and 42-63 (phase of 'I am here' ....5555! for me it's over 63 kraaa!) It told me that my life mission is education and support those in the circle.

I sure confirm how reflection has helped us learn more about our own selves and our 'mission' in life ka.

When I looked back, the following are my learning and feelings ka:

- It has been one productive year with many activities, both work and personal ka. I feel grateful to stay quite healthy to be with my family and friends from near and far, to observe how our faculties have been exceling using edPEx. I'm also thankful for being invited to share my experiences, moderate sessions, and conduct some workshops. In particular, this year, my little group and I found that our designed workshop could be helpful for individuals and group members to know more about themselves and their colleagues, their own and organization's values, and their mindsets. We'll continue to improve the activities to make the session more useful ka.

- About my podcast mission, it goes on smoothly and regularly with topics that may ignite some interest ka....still have very little ambition to get more 'likes' and 'shares' and I plan to do it as long as I feel happy about the process with my wonderful network's support. 

- I managed to learn quite a bit from online courses, youtube clips,  podcasts and reading ka. It's again confirmed my keen interest in leadership, feeling so sanuk every time I hear some leaders' stories.

On the whole,2023 is one of the years I feel great ka.

For this passing year, what have you done and how do you feel about it ka? 

Have a very happy year-end celebration and fun reflection with more energy and healthy self to enjoy life in 2024 na ka.

Happy holidays ka.

Small and meaningful story

 Hello all! Are you in the festive mood....and looking forward to many parties and gift exchanges mai ka?

 

Have a story to share ka.

It started with a desk calendar I can spare so I thought of giving it to a cab driver as some may not have got any yet.

I was hoping to offer to those who love Nailuang to appreciate it even better. Didn't think it was the right person maak ka

Through the Robinhood platform, I got a cab driver (about late 40's) yesterday. He told me to look at his meter which had a 20-baht note with King Rama 9 attached to it. I didn't think much about it but his actions were beyond expectations. 

He said he was teary to see the calendar pix. What was more was that at each traffic light which happened to be more red than green, he started reading out loud all the descriptions on the calendar. 

As the GPS advised him to use the expressway, he told me not to worry because he'd pay the fee for me! He insisted as well ka. He also showed me that each of his car's two sun visors have a 100- baht banknote with Nailuang portrait. I got quite a few wais and thanks from him too.

I couldn't believe that one calendar could bring so much joy to him and definitely me ka.

I did pay him for the expressway and he loved it as it was the older banknote with King Rama 9 image ka.

Future Cultures

 Dear all, I'd like to share key points I've drawn from the most recent book I read, entitled, 'Future Cultures: How to Build a Future-ready Organization through Leadership' by Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith ka. 

What I like most are:

1. The model on 'How to Future' consists of framing, sensing, tuning and rethinking strategy, sense-making, scenarios, storytelling, prototyping innovations, and assessing. 

For me,  sensing and sense-making are the two key elements hanging on my mind when thinking about what I got from this book ka. I think if we read, listen, think and discuss enough, sensing the future could be easier ka.

2. Leadership at the top, collective, and individual levels  is needed to create and nurture one's organization. We need to invite and encourage it to shirt practices, rituals, and ways of communication to be more future-oriented ka.

3. We become less afraid of the future if we can 'understand different explanations of and methods for imagining the future'.

4. Identify workforce with these qualities to team up for future-oriented efforts ka...those who are curious, aware of a wider view of the world, open-minded, adaptable, entrepreneurial, empathetic, comfortable with uncertainty, attuned to impacts, and systems thinker.

Which qualities will be hardest to find in our/yourThai context ka?

5.  Besides key people, context, organizational ecosystem, networks, communication, collaboration, actions are crucial to move toward future cultures.

6. Even with quite a number of things to do to keep the momentum going, what I find most essential are: alignment with organizational purpose and values; inclusion, communication in local language, and trial and errors to learn and build on.

7ึ. Four futures of future cultures are 2 for human-centered, i.e. Humans are the loop and Collaborative commons; and 2 for AI-centered, namely, Algorithmic agora, and Digital deliberation.

Each has its strengths and requirements which again depend on contexts, expertise, and directions of the organizations

When mentioning about 'future-ready', Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai just said in the recent Standard Economic Forum that we should call it 'present-ready'......room for discussion ka. In fact for me, when calling it present-ready, we may put efforts to solve current issues with insufficient attention and actions for the future ka.

As a person who loves 'future studies', I hope to see more leaders find this matter crucial to the vision, strategic thinking/directions and sustainability, of the organizations. It can be an integral part of their strategic planning and implementation (and move further from incremental, routine efforts to solve immediate problems). Like many other key issues, before then, leaders would need to 'buy in' to take it seriously to get started ka.

What do you think ka?

Taco Bell Leadership

 Hello everyone! Hope you've started a great Monday ka.

I just listened to one of my favorite podcast programs, 'How Leaders Lead with David Novak', on air since November 30, 2023. It was so interesting that I had to tune in again to jot down some key points ka.

It was an interview with Mark King, CEO of Taco Bell who is retiring at the end of this year ka. Earlier on, he was from the golf and footwear industries.

Let me share some of the things I like ka:

- His passion about Taco Bell is really something ka. At one point, he shaved the Taco Bell logo into the side of his head (stayed with him for months to show he was really 'in' ka!) at a Taco Bell Annual Convention. He said 'if you don't really love the brand, it's hard to lead the brand.'

Not in the Thai context to shave the logo like him?  Possible to see it some time?

- The biggest challenge for him in the food industry is complacency. It occurs when we work on the products that are seen successful for many years so people could simply do what they're doing. In addition, the workforce must be emotionally attached 

Are we complacent or emotionally attached to our work ka?

- Chase for something extraordinary with big aspirations  as we can't possibly go for incremental growth to be on the status quo. 

I couldn't help thinking of our universities when talking about the speedy world changes. Yet, it doesn't seem we get it seriously and run faster enough mai ka?

- Disrupt one's own self before somebody will come in to do it faster and better. His story was to produce white golf drivers when golfers only used to have black!

Daring not to follow the industry norms (after asking around before making the decision) kaa!

- Unlocking the potential of the people is what great leaders do. 

Again, how far can our university leaders take this up ka?

Let me stop here before it's too long ka.

Beautiful Success on EdPEx Sharing Day

 Hello all. 

May I summarize what was shared the other day when key speakers from universities/faculties offered their learning from using EdPEx (modeled after Baldrige's Education Criteria) ka. 

1. Key messages for me include ability to do/have/hold onto the following:

     - See big pictures of the world down to one's own country and institution, 

     - Have mutual understanding of the vision, missions (and values) of their universities and faculties for development of humans, country, and the world, 

     - Stay sustainable in offering their quality education, and 

     - Link and integrate key issues and actions strategically toward the goals set

2. Key focuses are about contexts and self assessment to identify desirable directions and strategic actions with key groups and connections from processes to results.

Ven. Prof. Dr. Phrakrupalad Paññavorawat (Hansa Dhammahaso), Director of International Buddhist Studies College (IBSC) Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University gave one very unique example and on the whole, I think it was the best session of the day loei ka.

It was about the specific context of his institution and the ability to integrate the dhamma with the real world by basing on อริยสัจ 4 the 4 noble truths and elaborating them through mindfulness, wisdom and morality to identify self assessment and core competency for good governance, and Voice of the Mind (VOM) and Voice of Customers (VOC), etc. He stressed the importance of 'people' like the crucial role of the leadership team to serve as role models and meaningful inclusion of workforce and key stakeholders concerned.

Mindset was stressed and in fact repeated in most of the sessions for each institution to feel the urge and responsibility to join hands to achieve the missions and vision.

3. Preparing for a half-an-hour presentation to the assessment team on site visits was far more challenging than I thought ka. I couldn't thank enough for having the 'right' presenters share their experiences. 

Dean Pornanong Aramwit from Chula's Pharmaceutical Sciences called for the synergy of her team for the best presentation to be given. She prepared her own powerpoint slides with 45 edited versions and rehearsed to be sure it went for the exact half-an-hour slot with key messages coverage! 

Dean Terapatt Vannaruemol from Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University, put their faculty expertise to the full use to come up with a detailed script for him to follow. Before then, a short clip was shown about the faculty achievement with him in rap style to end with the word 'EdPEx'...what he used before and cut short for 'icebreaking' with the assessors.

Both are proactive, enthusiastic and determined to present only the best. They are fun people too ka, revealing their secrets of going into 'mutelu' like outfit color of the day, seating position. 

I was helping moderate the session and observing the audience's attention and laughs with my full happy heart kaa!

Let me end here with fun from the whole learning ka.

From personal to partnership stories

 Sawasdee to all ka! Lots of different things to do these days and I wish to share one personal story and one on Thailand-US partnership ka.

- I saw another musical 'แฟนฉัน' late last week and liked it a lot ka! However, at the end of the show, I think I was far too excited to take pix without knowing that I lost one gold earring ka.

The loss made me feel upset but it reminded me of my sister's late husband's advice when she forgot some stuff at a shop ka. 

'Think of it as a gift to someone who may be in bad need to make use of it.'

It made me feel even much better loei ka.

- Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the JFK Foundation in Thailand and I attended it as the most recent board member ka. It was set up in memory of JFK on the very day when he was assassinated. I hope the Foundation continues to promote education and social development, enhancing the Thai-US partnership ka..

The roundtable had several interesting sessions and several key messages I got were:

      - The US and Thailand haven't been as close as it should and can be. The US has focused its interest on Vietnam and Indonesia, distancing Thailand from being included in its new initiatives and visits.

      - Internally between the political parties and within the State Department, there are conflicts against each other except one common agreed issue on China. Yet, without engaging Thailand enough for decades, China has become closer to Thailand.

      - We need to lessen our dependence on China for our tourism and export like durians.

      - Thailand's own challenges are about structures like economy which needs to be more attractive, decision on some specific aspects (military cooperation) needs to be made, not tend to sit on the fence.

Any comment mai ka?

 

Mindsetting and IZN for IROs

 Hello to all and hope it's a great Monday for you na ka.

I was in Tagaytay, Philippines to help conduct several workshops relating to IZN -- internationalization, to a group of International Relations Officers (IRO) from quite a few countries who are members of AIMS (Asian International Mobility for Students Program), organized by SEAMEO RIHED ka.

Let me share with you what I learned from this trip and set of activities ka:

- 5555! for me, especially ka. At Filipino immigration, though the line wasn't that long, I overheard one couple say, 'we're senior citizens. let's go there.' I looked where they went and saw a sign which read, 'senior citizens'. 

Immediately, I said to myself to try as I wasn't so sure it was meant for what age up. Like in Thailand, even with a special track for the elderly, I was told that it was for 70 up ka. 

I fit for the track kaa! couldn't help but ask the officer about the age and she said it's for 60 years old up ka in the Philippines. I could fly through easily:))!

- For the IRO day, we three from our 6-person TPopPlus team were there, designing the whole program and facilitating several ka.

       - The first one was to conduct our 'Mindsetting session'. Originally, people tended to call it 'Icebreaking', which could unfortunately equate to fun only without much content ka. 

We had 3 main activities for 6 big groups (about 12-14 each) starting from 'pick a card' for them to share their feelings about the AIMS program (past, present, and future), and our elaborate-from-gender game. .

My deck of cards consists of 170 cards and though we said it wasn't a gift, we lost one which was sort of expected so I was prepared ka. I feel the cards must be too attractive to resist!

The lessons learned were valuable for all to know a bit more about themselves and their mindsets, collaborative working environments, positive observations and comments made, etc.

      - The second was broken into 3 stations (Big picture, mentoring and coaching, and mental health) and I took care of one about the big picture IROs need to learn and practice for them to contribute to the success of their missions and visions. 

Even with the best assistance from my TPop team and the keynote speaker turned into a key-takeaway person, it was tough to repeat the process (without a microphone and powerpoint) talking, group activities, and rating three times!  Couldn't imagine my life without the other two ka

It was amazing to see the eagerness and willingness of the participants to go through the 3 stations.

     - The third was the culmination of what was learned all day for participants to come up with 'supersonic shuttle' being the big picture about IZN and their role as IRO's. 

Unbelievably after a very long day, the groups retained their energy to the max to come up with fascinating ideas and presentations. We couldn't be happier to see that they included in their shuttles keywords like vision, mission, growth mindset, stakeholders, hearts/passion, and diversity ka.

I was so happy too not to find any keyword on 'budget' which was raised quite often during the station activities since attitudes and shared goals are more needed to get started before discussing money matters.

There was some confusion in announcing the winners. But we simply took it a minor mistake to take our little gift back ka! happy atmosphere and happy participants ka.

We laughed so much and talked among our own group that part of the exhaustion is from laughing ka.

Our extensive plans and my sleepless night before the workshop started paid off ka.

summary from 'inclusion'

 Hello all. As earlier said, I wish to share the summary of a booklet I just read.

This book entitled, 'Inclusion' is a collection of recent articles related to inclusion published in Harvard Business Review ka. I like how they put it as, '....smart, essential reading on the human side of professional life....'  Love the 'human side' kaa!

Here are the highlights from my view na ka:

- Six traits that distinguish inclusive leaders from others are: visible commitment, humility, awareness of bias, curiosity about others (open mindset), cultural intelligence, and effective collaboration. For me, out of these traits, awareness of bias and cultural intelligence must be stressed since we don't really touch on these qualities as much na ka.

- Social belonging is essential so for inclusion to work, we need to create a sense of belonging...what I think is helpful for people to collaborate and eagerly put more effort for their offices/shared goals.

- Microaggressions (insensitive statements, questions, or assumptions) are'..... based on a simple, damaging idea:Because you are X, you probably are/are not or like/don't like Y.' 

Some of the examples could sound 'hypersensitive' and distance inclusion. I think it depends on the circle we're in and personal preference as well ka. The article pointed out words like, 'blacklist', 'Man up' and some sentences like, 'That's insane, that's crazy' when talking about mental health; or 'Do you have a husband/wife?' instead of 'partner'. We need to use it with thoughtfulness yet we should not be far too off balance, over or less sensitive ka.

In any case, if we realize we have said some sensitive words/sentences, we should pause, ask for clarification, listen for understanding, apologize, and follow up as needed. It's the process of 'learning, evolving, and growing.'

- One statement I think is useful when in doubt is to say, 'I'm not sure what you meant when you say.......' ....nice way to put it for more mutual understanding ka.

- Inclusion starts with belonging is an article that stressed the need to know one's own self to have empathy for ourselves and others.  

- Storytelling helps raise our awareness about our unconscious biases, and how we look at disability and marginalized people.

To be an inclusive leader after all, start from the leader to learn and be aware of his/her own biases, actions, and expressions na ka.

Before leaving London!

 Happy Monday ka! Back home from England laew ka!

Let me share with you the following ka:

- A happy and peaceful visit to Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hampstead…. to southeast England ka. This is a place of practice in the forest tradition.It offers opportunities for guests and visitors to stay and develop mindfulness. Arm, our TPop Plus (our little team to conduct assigned workshops), who's studying at King's College was there once and so it was even better for him to show us around. We saw quite a few visitors from Sri Lanka and other locals. Some went there to help cook or offer food to monks and nuns as well as visitors ka. We also learned how generous some people were to buy a house in the area (almost 3 million pounds)  and donate it  for the temple use! The monastery was founded by Luang Por Sumedho (American) and the current Abbot is Ajarn Amaro (British).

It was a special visit as we had an opportunity to meditate briefly and walk around the area in the best weather!

- A chance to go to Folyes, one huge bookstore in London ka! With Arm's suggestion, I bought a few. He led me to the sections I like which were on leadership, future, and cross culture ka. I finished reading 'Inclusion' which is an easy read booklet, comprising 9 articles from Harvard Business Review ka...... will summarize for our egroup soon.

As for other books bought, here they are ka:

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, The Culture Map by Erin Meyer, Future Cultures by Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith,The Excellence Book by Kevnin Duncan and Rosie Duncan,  and The Diary of a CEO by Steven  Bartlett ...... and two free booklets from the temple on, 'Who will feed the mice?' and 'Clarity and Calm for Busy People' kaa!

Which should I read next dee ka? I'm asking to make sure I'll have the urge to read sooner than later ka!

- Life outdoors and frequent exercises are a must when possible! More time was spent with my niece’s family and the kids as the latter had their one-week mid term break. We followed them and their father to a venue with a few football pitches. Too bad I didn't get to ask how much the rent was but I saw how people of all ages love playing football ka. It was amazing to see real seniors playing there with their peers and it went for like half an hour with a coach. The people there were very friendly to kids as they allowed the kids to play in their pitches until the full team reached the place. This was so encouraging and the boys couldn't be happier.

On other days, my niece asked the boys' nanny to take them out to parks or museums. This helped the boys not to stay in their flat all the time and more importantly these days, I think, to stay away from the games and ipad ka.

That's all for my trip to London ka. Now I'm hoping to get over the jet lag still but harder to stop thinking of and missing our two boys there ka!

Delightful moments

Hello all! My third week in London was full of impressive and delightful first-time experiences ka.

First of all, my sister and I went with our niece to her boys' school again. This round, it was to observe a liturgy, a form of religious worship in which the school asked their students to voluntarily read out several statements about love and caring, to sing several religious songs, and to share a little stories about their families and trips.

It was such a great way for kids to choose to be publicly present, practicing not only about what to read (with a book to read out the assigned sentences) and their turns to perform, but also ways to express caring toward one another. They were asked to write a card, picking out what they liked best to share with their parents. They could give it to anyone if their parents couldn't make it then ka. 

Leo, my first grandnephew, got to read twice and it was loud and clear so we were very proud of him. The school requested parents' consent for picture taking with kids too ka.

Secondly, I attended a book launch by one Fulbright alum who got his doctorate from Cambridge ka. His book entitled,'The Culture Trap' by Derron Wallace, was an in-depth investigation into histories and contexts influencing  thinking, behaviors, expectations of Black Jamaicans in New York and London. It was my first time too to attend this kind of event and it ignited lots of amazement how academics could lead us to see some different dimensions from their lens and research. 

Thirdly, it was our very first experience to dine in a 3-Michelin-Stars restaurant, Helene Darroze where my niece and her husband have been working for about 12 years ka. What could be similar to other 3-star restaurants would be a delicious lunch with the right ambience and services. But this one made us lost in words as there was a series of surprises after surprises!

For us, it all started from our first step to the restaurant area with welcoming smiles and gestures! Then, we were happily curious to see personalized written names and a specially crafted menu, our initials on the napkins, special news about us, and ‘our own tea blends’……couldn’t count the number of ‘wows’ we expressed! The food was delicately presented and tasted delicious with the amazing touch of fine choices of ingredients from local and other regions. We learned how each dish was created and tasted it carefully. You wouldn't believe that our lunch took us 4 hours to complete (and we couldn't even finish the desserts ka!) I think the best was the hearts of the team ka!            

Because of mom, an immediate member's visit, we were able to stay in an upgraded suite with a super comfy living room and bedroom with a butler. We're very proud of our girl and her husband who are well-loved and have been offered many wonderful treats for us ka.    

For this past week, the experiences have turned into lovely moments we'll always remember!

London that I see!

Hello all! Time flies especially when thinking that next Friday, we'll be going back home ka...haven't really done much, seen much, nor stayed around with our younger ones as much yet!  

Wish to share about several things na ka:

- Matilda the Musical we went to see was fun and thank goodness that I watched the movie earlier, making it helpful to understand better and to think further ka. There were lots of school kids who talked so cheerfully. Yet, once it started, they were very disciplined to be quiet and enjoy the Musical ka. Really loved their giggles and laughs!

- We had a one-day visit to Cambridge, led by Arm, one of our TPop-Plus team members who is a Cambridge alum. With his alum card, we were allowed to go into the colleges there....grand  ancient buildings and structures with the feeling of wealth and wisdom ka! 

We took pix with Newton's apple tree too and were so amused to see several brought apples as their props ka.

We talked with Clyde, a Porter at Trinity College, the richest of all there. I was struck by the authority he has been given since he could decide who's allowed to get in...he owns the entrance! I feel it has raised his work status to be more important, not only for the College, but for himself to feel proud and responsible ka. Possible in the Thai context mai ka? Would we listen or would we look for the higher-ups to get in as wished?

- Yesterday, my sister and I visited our two boys' school with their parents ka. It was, 'Open Afternoon for Parents' when parents could go into their kids' classes to see what they've been doing at school. My grandnephews were very happy to show their work with pride. Their teachers gave very encouraging comments like excellent, good reasons, etc.

After like half an hour, we were asked to leave so they could close the gate for safety sake ka.

The brief afternoon was meaningful ka: from parent participation and family bonds, to teacher-parent shared responsibility for the kids' education and activities (they sure have a few clubs for kids to do after class)!

Happy my grandnephews get this type of learning and environment ka.

First week in London

 Hello again from London ka! Been a week since I came.

Though I haven't been out much yet, we started walking our two boys to school yesterday and went looking around a bit. Here are my observations ka:

1. The school is very strict to have its gate closed at 8.55 ka....after that, parents have to go through its main office to sign their names with reasons for being late. If they're late too often, they'd get warning letters ka. 

My niece was saying that they were late a few times and the teachers were kind and empathetic, saying that they knew it  was hard to manage for the kids to be in school well in time but they hoped not to send any warning letter ka.

I like this approach na ka, teaching both the kids and parents to be punctual and responsible ka.

2. Our two boys used scooters to go to school. Being quite well-trained, they'd wait for their mom when they needed to cross the streets and would do it when their mom told them so ka. Feel safer for them ka.

How could we compete with scooters? No way kraaa even how fast we walked, making me and my sister try to walk faster so it was like this ka...the two boys far ahead, followed quite closely by their mom/my niece, me, and then a little far behind, my sister.

3. Today kids wear yellow to signify 'Mental Health' Day.....happy they give high priority to this aspect since life has been tougher and it's good for kids to learn from their very young age ka.....will have to ask my two boys what they do at school! 

The school has come up with quite a few nice and exciting activities too. This coming Thursday, it's Harry Potter Day ka. Harry Potter costumes and props like wands are ready for them to have fun ka. 

4.. A bit about the area where we're staying ka:

4.1 We see many with pets (in fact dogs only) and it seems that most places are pet friendly too ka.....people are more lonely or less needed for a full human family mai ka?

4.2  Smell cigarette smoke to think that it seems more have become smokers?!?!...my niece said she smelled the mix of cigarettes and pot ka:((!

4.3 It shows a true meaning of diversity as there is a good mix of various races ka.

4.4 The trash is easily separated into 2 categories, namely, paper for recycles and the rest ka. 

4.5 Self check-out at supermarkets and department stores have become part of daily life ka. There are assistants but more booths are for one's own management.

I'm slowly adjusting to the changing ways ka. Will keep observing ka.

Cheers.

Singapore's university transformation

 I'm in a different time zone for quite a while, visiting my niece and her family ka.

My sister and I are staying at an Airbnb not far from my niece's ka....it's quite spacious and in this place, we've got our room with a private restroom. Like many other Airbnbs, we can benefit from its kitchen and living room....here we also get to use one small office which is perfect for me to zoom my several meetings ka. The host isn't home after lunch till late, working as a manager of Tiffany & Co. at Selfridges ka.

In any case, I should have more experiences to share later!

Today, I just skimmed through a booklet on 'Case Studies of University Transformation in Singapore' by Dr. Ora-orn Poocharoen and Qamaruzzaman Amir under the Spearhead Program KhonThai 4.0 ka. In fact, many sectors of Thailand, especially education, have been observing and visiting Singapore very often to learn from this country, yet.......... (for you to fill in the blank kaa!) 

This booklet is synthesized to come up with key findings and lessons dee loei ka, some of which are:

1. Singapore is highly competent in deciding and managing higher education reform. Its government focuses on citizens' demands for practice-based and skills-focused education.  Its vision has led us to see its significant components in its ecosystem like 'Thinking Schools Learning Nation, 1997' ; 'Teach Less, Learn More, 2004'; and 'Skills Future, 2015'. From several selected policies, it's obvious that Singapore's leadership is truly visionary and capable of developing easy-to-understand strategies for its people to confront possible future disruptions and reforms.

2. One key success factor of the government's efforts is to use 'the whole-of-government approach' for university transformation to work. This is Thailand's huge challenge in all sectors loei ka.... as we've been working in silos for far too long, plus too many committees, too many priorities na ka. If top leaders of our country take education most seriously, they'd lead the reform to ensure that most relevant ministries and stakeholders are engaged and synergized for our people to become real learners with proper skills of today and tomorrow.

3.Singapore is open to learning from failures with a drive for improvement. We've heard that some collaboration with foreign universities wasn't a success but they benefited from the experiences earned to learn what could be best for their future decisions. It's easier said than done but Singapore was bold to take a risk ka.

The country understands that its people are its most important asset and so it invests in people strategically and continuously. What about Thailand ka?

iPhone Experiences

 Hello all. I have something to share kaaaa! 

Yesterday, my friend and I went to the Apple Central World to have some good experiences to share as follows ka:

1. Apple has its superb systems with quality assistants ka. Definitely, in such a high-end place, they expect both local and foreign customers. Since iPhone15 has just arrived, lots visited the store.....the assistants were obviously busy yet, they were highly helpful, efficient with one-stop service, and those serving foreigners were really fluent speaking English....I was really happy (and proud) ka. Wish to know how they train these young staff too loei ka.

2. Selling older models was prompt and if the model is far too old, we could give it (and the case) to them for recycling ka. The registered outdated iphones were nicely sealed in paper bags back to an overseas Apple station (too bad I didn't ask where it is ka). The recycling process is mainly done by an AI called Daisy ka.The assistant thanked us for helping lessen global warming too ka.

3. One more experience was to observe my friend who agreed to sell her previous iphone online and managed to meet with the buyer onsite kaa. These days, we don't need any informal or formal  relationship whatsoever but old generations like me had some doubts whether we could trust the buyer lae ka. It went so well ka. He came to meet my friend, asked several questions, tested key functions, scanned her QR to pay, and then picked up the phone and left ka. Just like that! Guess it's a matter of getting used to it a little more if I have to manage online selling like this ka.

Real Leadership

 Hello all. I'm finally feeling very happy, knowing what to share this week, even it's Saturday ka.

Honestly, I was thinking of talking about a musical I saw Thursday but it wasn't as good as expected so I kept wondering what to write about. For me, it's still strange to keep thinking of what to share every week. I guess after over 2 decades of writing literally every week, I'm kind of committed to doing it na ka. 

I've been going back and forth to listen to David Novak podcast episode July 6, 2023, interviewing Dr. Bob Grossman M.D. as I'm preparing my talk for one of our medical schools sometime later this year ka. When I first listened to it, what caught my attention was his idea about elevators but I didn't get to read more about him. Anyway, long story short, here's what I've learned from both the podcast show and reading several articles (including Bob Grossman's interview on Forbes back to 2019) ka.

- Be bold earlier on

In this case, Dr. Grossman eliminated a whole level of management, firing 5 people on the first day he assumed office, including the President and Senior Vice President of the Hospital, the Senior Vice President of the School of Medicine, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and the Chief Medical Officer.

Far too bold? He was reasoning that they only wanted to maintain the status quo ka. As an insider, he has known who is who!

 

- Be aspired to inspire 

Dr. Bob Grossman wanted to aspire for world class performance so he tried to create a new organization culture of yearning for excellence based on patient-centric approach, accountability, lean, agile and flat organization (open system with no management layers), etc. 

He showed it with accountabilitywhen he was a department head of Neuroradiology to turn it around to be one of the best. His past successful records could be why he was chosen even when he didn't really have any business degree ka. I've learned this new keyword ka....'ether of ambiguity' and this is from the Forbes interview, which reads, 'I wanted to eliminate what I call the ether of ambiguity, the data free atmosphere wherein people are not accountable for their performance'.

-  Steer directions through the big picture and smaller yet, crucial issues

He mentioned his organization as a 747 without control power to see huge deficits every year while facilities were really old. The story I like goes here ka:

It was about the elevators that became an issue because they were so old that doctors and nurses were reluctant to visit their patients since it could take like 20 minutes one way. When it seemed impossible to have new ones in place inside the buildings, he got some contributions to have new ones installed outside the buildings.

- Break the silos with Values and recruitment

Everyone in the administration would wear two hats, one for the school and one for the hospital. He said, 'treat everyone at the medical center with the same amount of respect, whether it was the CEO, the specialist surgeon, the cafeteria staff, or the custodians.' He brought in only people who wanted to be the best, meaning that mediocrity was unacceptable.

The values are PRIDE -- P-Performance, R-Respect, I-Integrity, D-Diversity, E-Excellence ka.

Let me stop here ka. If you wish to listen, go to How Leaders Lead with David Novak, July 6, 2023 at this link:

https://spotify.link/OBvEAOfPjDb

Happy weekend na ka. I'm now very happy and so eager to work more on my talk too.

Inner self through Satir Model

 Hello hello all! Have something I'm excited about to share ka....you say 'what else is new?' plao ka 5555!

Late last week, I attended a three-day training to learn about 'Satir Model', highly recommended by my two nieces ka. Let me put it into 4 categories ka:

1. What is Satir model?  It's the methodology developed by Virginia Satir (founder and leading catalyst in the evolution of experiential family therapies). The model helps us learn about the relationship with our own selves, with others, and with the contexts around us. All mean to make us aware, understand, get over some of the issues to eventually make us happier ka.

2. Who led the workshop? By two experienced psychiatrists ka, one from Med school, Rama, and the other from med school, Chula who managed the sessions for 29 participants who were from diverse backgrounds, from medical doctors and pilates trainer to HR officers and a retiree like me ka.

My niece asked me if I was the oldest in the class. The answer was....good thing one ajarn was older kaaa!

3. What did I learn?

- What makes us happy is to realize our real needs which offer positive energy to our heart. We all deserve to be happier and it depends on our own decisions. 

- We should learn to trace our feelings better, not focusing on thinking and reasoning only.

- Some issues and pains were deeply embedded in our childhood and it would be healthier to tackle the key ones with increased understanding to become happier.

- Looking back to my childhood and family relationships before I was 18 years old enabled me to see more details and how our family of 8 (Mom and Dad, and my 5 siblings) interacted with and among each other ka. 

I consider myself much luckier than others. My real needs could include simplicity in life, good relationships, and social responsibility, I also learned more clearly why I love freedom and become quite creative. It was because of the upbringing with much fewer conditions ka.

4. One touching story

Even with lots of many touching stories shared, what is hanging on my mind is this one ka:

The more senior ajarn told us about her experience taking a cab back to the time when she was younger with only like 4,000+ baht salary. Then, she became restless as the old driver drove far too slowly for her to go back to Rama hospital well in time so she decided to talk with him. She learned then he had to drive again to earn a living for three grandkids after their parents were killed in an accident. He found it quite challenging when schools requested more money for extra classes. 

Before she got off, she gave the cab driver an envelope with 3,000 baht, telling him to use the money when there were extra expenses. He reluctantly accepted it after Ajarn said she was a doctor and she could earn some more later.

Ajarn said if she couldn't think of any nice story during her last transition, this could be the one ka.

Besides feeling very touched, what she said at the end hit me hard ka.

What good story to my heart would I think of if I were in my transition? 

I can't think of it yet and am still thinking ka!

Happy Wednesday na ka.

Green-hearted leaders

 Happy Thursday ka.....thinking of today's color which is orange and feeling amused how it could have been more fun to write yesterday to fit with my sharing on 'green world advocate from actions' ka. 

Very me mai ka? Link ไปด้ายยย 5555!

As usual these few years, I listen to podcast shows quite a bit during the day. Today, the eight-half program hits me with its mentioning of 'leadership' ka.

In fact, Khun ต้อง กวีวุฒิ shares gists from the book he's read, 'Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman' back to 2006 which is still very true and progressive, considering how Yvon Chouinard, the author, has all along held to his heart the awareness and actions of being environmentally responsible.

As a climber and environmentalist, he wanted to get much fewer and lighter climbing clothing and gears that led him to become a businessman and founder of Patagonia, Inc. 

Many may have heard about it but for me, listening to learn in further detail sure amazes me of how dedicated and committed one can be and it's quite inspiring too ka.

Now, back to what ignites my thinking ka:

1. Back to 2006 when the climate change wasn't as known nor this serious, Yvon Chouinard's green heart has been outstanding and become even more admirable and his actions have proven his deep passion for our world till today.

2. His sincere and serious intention to produce quality clothing is witnessed by having  environmentally friendly approaches in all steps, not just empty catchwords to look good for ad and sales ka.

Buy clothes only as needed and send back for repairs. If there's any item that is beyond repair, they do offer recycling too.....so nice to know loei ka.

3. On leadership, 

- the first trait of leaders is the ability to take risks (while managers will avoid risks for their responsibilities to go smoothly). Leaders are courageous, taking their teams to explore new/unknown platforms. and that "true leaders take risks, have long term vision, create the strategic plan, and initiate change."....think more of impacts!

- lead by example to think differently on management like the best parking slots aren't for senior leaders, but for those with the most envi-friendly cars.

The ways Yvon Chouinard has been doing fit well with the leaders' qualities of vision and risk taking all these decades ka.

How to become visionary with courage to take risks is still hard to nurture mai ka? why?

Soft Power

 Hello all! Hope your weekend was a relaxing one ka.

For these two Tuesdays, the Learn Plern Plern podcast discusses the topic of 'Soft Power', which is so very interesting and different from its definition and the real-life usage ka.

Our first guest is Assistant Prof. Pranee Thiparat (a Fulbright alumna ka!) a true scholar who never gets scared of 'ท้วร์ลง' (bombarded by social media comments). She shares Joseph Nye's definition, which reads, 'power (of a nation, state, alliance, etc.) deriving from economic and cultural influence, rather than coercion or military strength', as part of public diplomacy. 

She thinks our society has been using it without much understanding, e.g. when Lisa Blackpink ate mango and sticky rice, Thais would say it was soft power. The key term to cite it as 'soft power' is when another country's ideology or values are ADOPTED by the targeted group/country, thinking of the values on democracy and human rights ka.

It's possible for us not to use 'Soft Power' too strictly as defined....yet, it should mean a positive attitude toward one's country or some ways of life, not just little things that may stay on for only once or even for a short period of time for people to run after the 'trend'.

Knowing that countries tend to use entertainment as a 'soft power tool', I invited my student/star, Thanongsak Supasup, to be our second guest, broadcast tomorrow ka. He's a realist to point out that the use of entertainment business is fine. Yet, much more cooperation and support are needed continuously. The Government and the private sector have to be serious while the producers need to cross the survival line and not be too profit-oriented. On the other end, quite a number of Thai consumers enjoy far too much into some undesirable scenes especially physical violence ka.

He himself tries with only a little success to touch on the scripts. In any way, he thinks of himself as a presenter to offer some beneficial aspects of life to his community, particularly, running (and his inspirational talks). I'd consider it a soft power side na ka.

My own summary for 'Soft Power' is to put it into 3 categories ka:

1. Joseph Nye's definition to persuade people to adopt values without force (basically by superpowers who also stress on their national interests)

2. The less strict sense to mean a positive attitude toward one country's culture or ways of living to follow the practices in their cultures....respective governments have to be strategic (what strengths to present and how) with funding and synergy (plus image) to push through

3. Introducing some good practices in life for others to gradually follow for well-being 

Sure hope our listeners find the two shows helpful to their daily lives/work ka.

More choices are desirable?

 Hello all! Happy with the long weekend na ka!

I like a podcast program produced by Khun Rawit  Hanutsaha, sharing key points and his thoughts about a book entitled, 'The Paradox of Choice' by Barry Schwartz,  inspired by Sheena S. Iyengar and Mark Lepper on, 'When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?', 2000 (https://faculty.washington.edu/jdb/345/345%20Articles/Iyengar%20%26%20Lepper%20(2000).pdf).

Wikipedia has summarized by Barry Schwartz as follows ka:

'Autonomy and freedom of choice are critical to our well being, and choice is critical to freedom and autonomy. Nonetheless, though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don't seem to be benefiting from it psychologically.'  

When checking ChatGPT, here's the response ka:

In essence, "The Paradox of Choice" highlights the need for a balance between having choices and avoiding excessive decision fatigue. By understanding the psychological effects of choice overload, individuals can navigate decision-making in a more mindful and satisfying way.

Which do you like ka?

Khun Rawit's episode and the two summaries led me to think of what I experienced back to the time when I was with Fulbright to deal with our young American grantees ka. Then, whatever we wanted to offer, we had to think of several options for them to feel empowered to make their decisions. I see more younger Thais favor it this way as time goes by. Several options, not too many, are good ka!

Anyway, the choice issue isn't simply about the numbers ka. Americans have been given far too many choices like 160 shampoo/conditioner and 185 brands of cookies in a smaller US supermarket. Yet, the fact is that too many choices take up so much of our time that we would get 'decision fatigue' and feel less satisfied. Moreover, with too many choices, there's a tendency for people not to choose anything after all, even that particular project/product could benefit them.

'More is less' has become more practical to the point that the decision fatigue could see some premium new business models like Omakase -- fine dining from the Chef's choice instead....no decision is needed loei ka!?!

I'm using ChatGPT's answer with my own about strategies for coping with the paradox of choice, to read: limit choices, be satisfied with what we've chosen even it may not be the best, decide what will minimize regrets in the long run, be mindful of expectations, and focus what’s important to us. 

With the help, my egroup messages will be much easier to write, not to be taken over ka!

Two stories

 Hello all! I came back from Chiang Rai last night and now I have two stories to share....totally different, one from a 'David Foster concert' and the other at the Donmuang airport ka.

The first was at the concert to enjoy many of our favorite songs that brought  back memories dee mak loei ka. And here's the story:

I happened to sit next to two women in their late 20's or early 30's I guess.  Their two hands holding two beers  surprised me and I was even more surprised to notice that they went out to buy another set of beer.

Didn't realize they allow beer to be drunk in concerts nor how young Thais turn to be heavy beer drinkers! Sorry if I generalize the latter kaa!

The second from the Donmuang waiting room for public taxis. We need to get a ticket to know our queue number at the entrance. We can wait for a calling machine for our turn to get a taxi or we can look at the electronic board to know which booth to go to when it's our queue.

Last night the electronic board was out of order so we needed to listen to the announcement instead. Immediately, I felt so sorry for quite a few foreigners who were lost as to how they would know when it was their turn as it was in Thai ka. One lady went to offer her help while a few others were simply standing, trying to work out how. I approached two and one could understand Thai numbers. The other didn't know the process.

Two questions popped up ka: If I were one on the management team there, what would I do? How could Thailand become a tourist preferred choice if it doesn't seem to accommodate foreigners enough?

My answers were: 

1) I'd assign one person to be around to assist foreigners at the spot right away.

2) If they don't have a back-up plan, it's needed with communication to all concerned about the steps to do when the system breaks down from apology to assistance of some kind with expected time to return to normal. The back office has to ask their suppliers/technicians to fix it fast ka.

Any comment from these two stories mai ka?

Powerful usage of words

 It must be a very happy long weekend to many especially government officials na ka.

I haven't shared much from what I get out of book summaries so let me do it from 'Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way' by Jonah Berger, 2023. sanuk sanuk to speak with power, which will be convincing and hard to disagree!  

Here are a few I'd like to highlight ka:

• Research finds that turning actions into identities can shape how others are perceived. 

The author says if we want people to lead, ask them to be 'leaders', if they run, they are 'runners', if we don't want them to lie, tell them 'not to be liars!' Sound more powerful mai ka?

• Change Can’ts to Don’ts

I guess this is psychological ka. Instead of saying, 'I can't do it.', use 'I don't......' to show that we still have some little room for comfort na ka. The author's example is, 'I can't eat sweets right now. vs I don't eat sweets right now'.  

• Turn Shoulds into Coulds: 
  

'Could' sounds more positive with more room to think further as in an example about what we 'could do' instead of what we 'should do'.

Think carefully about using pronouns like “I” and “you.” They can draw attention and take ownership, but they also suggest responsibility and blame. 

• More indirect when dealing with opposing viewpoints

Sounds like our usual ways of Thai people somehow ka.....I guess it's me too who tend to be less direct (and could be less powerful at times!)

• Don't  “uh,” “um,” and “er,”  a lot to sound hesitant, less powerful, less effective

It may turn to be some undesirable habits too, I think. We have to be aware of how we communicate to rid them .... similar to the use of 'like' as 'แบบ' in Thai lae ka.

• Make the abstract concrete

I was told a few times that I need to be more concrete to be better understood. This book summary makes me feel a little better (just a little ka!) to point out that 'The more people learn about something, the more they naturally start to think about it abstractly.', meaning I may have acquired some more deeper knowledge:))!

BUT (big but kaa!), the most important is to send messages across so the more concrete, the better kaa!

•  Make people feel heard (what is so very much needed these days for all generations na ka)

These include our attention paid and expression to show understanding. I'd like to add that some follow-on questions can work well too ka.

Anything you like mai ka?

You too?

 Hello all!

I just skimmed through several articles.  The one below is from Alessandra Riemer, Editor at LinkedIn News, posted today. I wish to share this one with questions ka!

The title is, 'Older workers booming in workforce' which shows that those aged 55 and older run the workforce (will account for roughly 25% of jobs by 2031) while gen Z workers only represent about 13%, according to a new report from Bain & Co ka.

Obviously, it's from the western side and so let me check with us here what you think (since many of us in this egroup are over 55:)) 

Here are several questions ka:

1. Do you think your motivation has changed with age? from what ror ka?

2. What is/was your motivation after 55? and after retirement?

3. Are these two included: 'interesting work' and 'flexibility/autonomy'? which is the first? 

4. Is 'autonomy' possible in our Thai working culture especially in government service?

Enjoy your reflections ka.

post-covid challenges for IZN and English learning

 I hope life has been good to enter another long weekend soon na ka.

I read INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION, number 115, Summer 2023 and wish to share several things ka:

1.  I somehow like a simple intro (Internationalization in Higher Education: Critical Reflections on Its Conceptual Evolution by Hans de Wit) that calls for us to challenge our thoughts and past market-oriented perceptions to define relevant new directions for internationalization (IZN) in higher education because of the post pandemic and current complicated geopolitical global challenges. 

After about 3 decades of Thailand's efforts on IZN, we've formed some beliefs (true or false, relevant or irrelevant) and practices (ranking, legal compliance, 'flavor of the day', etc. ) that may slow favorable progress ka.

De Wit points out what we've stressed for years that there could never be any one model or approach that fits all. Yet, the diversity and changing contexts have added to the need for increased serious consideration. 

It's quite obvious we need to rethink our own IZN definitions (relevant 'Why' for the sake of quality of our people and systems, equity, inclusiveness and so on?), components (study abroad, international students, IaH, SDGs, etc.) and redirections, especially in terms of balancing the countries and regions amid US-China power plays. All would ensure that our IZN efforts will have impacts we wish to get.

2. IZN for us seems to tie closely with the English language and so I'd like to share its next article entitled, 'Globalization of English Language and Culture: Let’s Change English Language Instruction' by Gareth Humphreys  ka.

Many of us must have heard the term, 'Global Englishes' before na ka. Still, we, Thais, are used to admiring those who can communicate in 'near native' ways so this article to me not only discussed 'existing bias', but also the emphases on multicultural understanding starting from one's own culture (both tangible and intangible --my own addition ka)

The author leads us to see how issues arise from overrepresenting Anglophone standards and cultures in our English language learning when we see more multicultural societies with highly diverse and multilingual environments ka.

   

To be more relevant, students should be exposed to the global nature of English and encouraged to recognize their own backgrounds and think of themselves as intercultural citizens while de-linking English from the national cultures of Anglophone countries and helping students to perceive themselves as legitimate users of English, irrespective of cultural background.   

Going around to learn what our universities have been doing, I've seen much development. However, the challenges remain on how we consider becoming internationalized. We could better our mutual understanding by asking ourselves more seriously again about the following:

• Why internationalization? Would 'intercultural citizens' work? and How?
• What could international and local students and faculty learn, share, and develop themselves from their diversity in thinking, values, behaviors? 
• How could the efforts lead to stronger relationships and collaborations to live meaningfully in a highly digital world?
• How could such tacit knowledge become explicit and useful?

Again, more thinking, more work, more actions ka.

Moderating a session on IZN of medical education

The past Monday, I happily moderated a session on internationalization of medical education ka......the topic I love and the opportunity to learn more how the med ed circle thinks and acts on it.

This exercise confirmed that introducing the panelists could be fun learning (for me and hopefully for others:)) when going out a little bit of the way to touch on some keywords that corresponded with their thinking and performances (watching their interviews on YouTube, magazines to pick whatever struck me most ka). Glancing through their presentations beforehand gave me some more understanding of what to expect with more questions to ask ka.

The onsite presentations by Prof. Suttipong Wacharasindhu (the key co-founder of the Chulalongkorn University's International Medical Education Program -- CU-MEDi) and Prof. Nijasri Charnnarong (Director of the program)  shared was fantastic (they both are refined presenters kaa!) as we could listen and read between the lines, observe verbal and non-verbal behaviors, and ask quite a few questions.

My best learning is about leadership and it concerns basically the people involved. I also wish to share the following ka:

3.1 Like other circles, internationalization in medical education takes time. When a small try-out with students of high English proficiency works successfully, big bolder steps follow (not too much focused on resources like funding and national licensing!) One crucial action is to integrate other key dimensions like world trends from various lenses, cross cultural understanding,  international partnerships and generation diversity. 

3.2 Leaders are those with passion and purpose! They are capable of looking at the macro pictures while linking them together to align with national policy directions. They are visionary to know how the world is going and dare to take risks when they know it's about 60-70% ready! They pick their team members who have relevant capabilities and more importantly, who have mutual respect and trust.

Their leadership made me think of an interview of Dr. Bob Grossman, CEO of NYU Langone Health who was able to turnaround the hospital. He stresses these elements ka: Right people, right vision, focused driven!

3.3 In such an international program with high profile international partners and students, it's essential for leaders to make sure that medical students from their regular program have also benefited from the advantages the international program offers. This will further enhance the healthy promotion of both equality of students and quality of graduates in many ways!

3.4 In our today's AI era, humanistic experiences are even more focused. Yuval Harari has warned us early this year not to think that AI wouldn't be creative and now it's proven how AI could overtake us quite easily and could do quite close to empathy, but definitely not much yet about non-verbal behaviors!

3.5 For me, I sure value the diversity of students regarding nationalities, education backgrounds, and age. The students and the whole community sure learn from different perspectives, heightening intercultural interactions and adaptability, widening networks, and enhancing growth mindsets ka.

Sanuk and hopeful again ka. Hope you feel so too ka.

one skill to use AI and more to need humans

Hello all, last week I read an article entitled, 'AI Delegation: The One Skill You Will Need To Succeed In The Future' by Bernard Marr, July 3, 2023. I guess the 'one skill'  kind of caught my attention ka. Let me share with you na ka.

So for this egroup message, I'd like to talk about the 'one skill to work with AI', and 'one skill we still own it' ka!

First, the 'one skill ' is the ability to understand and work with AI! 

Sounds kind of simple but not quite mai ka when asking ourselves if we have 'the ability to understand'. Listening to more podcast episodes makes me so unsure how to keep up ka. The author suggests, '...working out what we still need to do for ourselves and what’s best left to machines.' ....working out? how? Can we ask ChatGPT:))?

Anyway, it's really great to know quite a few Thai universities have been active in preparing their faculty to know how to use AI in teaching and research. Seriously, I'm happier to know it includes some human sciences faculties too kaa!

One question remains to be tackled, 'how to attract more senior faculty who are scared and reluctant to join in?' Could the lessons be made simpler for them to get it to reduce their inner fear (not just theirs, mine too kraaa!) Khun Rawit, Srichand CEO is offering an online course on, 'AI for daily life' something like that ka. I plan to pick up some good lessons ka.

What about the one skill we still have?

I'd say, 'listening and asking with empathy (plus some contextual understanding and their tacit knowledge)'.

Late last week, I had a chance to join an EdPEx assessment team on a site visit. It was clear to me that the practice of having the visit as an open sharing platform is really beneficial. 

During several discussions, the assessors' questions ignited thinking and reflections for the faculty to realize how much they've known and possessed including what to do/not to do next. 

I don't think at this stage, AI can compete with us yet for several reasons ka:

1) When it's contextual, AI needs lots of data inputs from what's been done and periodic/prompt changes made.

2) AI may not be able to detect issues of concern from the presentations or anecdotes raised as it's more of the non-verbal behavior! 

3) Diverse tacit knowledge of assessors, their well-intended questions/advice, and their interactions are still excellent human qualities AI can't possibly express lae ka.

Comments?

A must to share, a must to see #พิษสวาทเดอะมิวสิคัล

Not so often that I wish I could have time to write right away! The feeling came to me after I saw the Musical, 'พิษสวาทเดอะมิวสิคัล', literally meaning toxic from love.

I'm a musical fan and this one is a bit more special to see that the cast includes my former student (Thanongsak Supasup) back from my Trimitr days ka. We talked on the phone to learn more about how he decided to join in (jumped out of his sabai box) since he has been a TV/movie star all along. He's assigned to sing one piece and was telling me he has tried hard to stay in tune (being humble dee mak loei ka). His appreciation of being a part of the performance and the sharing about backstage and all preparations made me very much look forward to seeing it....and it's in fact beyond any word to describe my feelings ka.

Wish to share the following ka:

• The audience was told at the beginning that Musicals are two-way communication so we could feel free to react and play along as part of the show ka.....work mak to let us know before hand so I participated fully (till my youngest sister said my loud cheering troubled her ears loei ka 5555!
• The musical offers a good mix of fear and fun to capture our attention throughout. Noticing little details they managed on stage too. It runs for over 2 hours and for me, time flew by far too fast ka.
• The story is wisely crafted for us to follow what the lead actor (ตู่ ภพธร my fave!) has been facing back from the Ayutthaya period till present.
• The singing abilities of the lead performers as well as the songwriters, and the orchestra are all very impressive and I was teary several times from listening to the pieces (somehow by the lead actor!). No need to say anything about the lead actress as she was understudy as 'ทับทิม' Tabtim in the Musical, 'The King and I' in London recently. 

Even I can't really express my feelings well, I'd like to share my lessons learned.

Firstly, talent has to go along with determination and commitment of the full team to become successful.

Secondly, understanding lyrics and the story well inspires me to think of a few things ka. By the way, they do have English translation but knowing Thai is the best jing jing!

  

               - It's impossible not to have 'bad and corrupt people, yet, it's hopeful we have those who are ready to fight for our country.' 

              -The gratitude expressed to our homeland is to have the purpose to fight for our country especially in times of need, even it could mean, 'one's huge sacrifice'.

              - Looking at the big picture to include other perspectives is essential to avoid misunderstanding while enhancing a healthier relationship.

Thirdly, I feel so proud of our Thai people's talent and passion to give a real delightful and professional musical. It's their labor of love as well. 

Lastly, having active participation of the audience really boosted the cast further to perform even better while increasing their inner joy in offering it ka. My student told me that the performers enjoyed the energy sent from the audience so much that it turned out to be the very best show ka.

Thumbs up to Khun Boy Takonkiet, the productor, and all in the team ka!

For those who wish to see it, it'll be on until July 23 ka.

Happy me to share it to you all ka! I can now go off to do other things ka.

Skooldio student's learned lessons

 Hello everyone!

Finally, after having been tied up with several things, I could have some time exploring my free gift from Skooldio at the ‘Mission to the Moon Forum’.

It’s on, ’30-Day AI Boost: Unlocking Productivity and Happiness’, which sounds very interesting as an introduction ka.

The course is broken into smaller parts which require around 3-7  minutes every day. The topics offered are physical and mental health, strengthening relationships, work efficiency, creativity, and self improvement. All with some good ways to use ChatGPT ka. Love it that most if not all the sections, include names of books/articles related to the topics for us if we want to research further ka.

The narrator from AI-generated is natural dee ka. When pronouncing English words, it’s a bit more like Thais to stress at the final syllables and doesn’t sound like broken English ka.

What I’ve learned:

-   Ways to use of ChatGPT with examples of Prompts, e.g. ‘Generate a personalized morning fitness routine based on my fitness level, time availability, and specific goals’ followed by specific info about us and what we need to know; 'Give me affirmations for self-confidence' or 'Prompt me to reflect on a recent act of kindness that made me feel grateful', etc.

 

We are reminded to check Google further to know about some facts and even some YouTube clips that may not exist ka.

-  For mental health, it could be helpful for today's kids who seek safe and no-judgement zones using AI. We could get some affirmations like 'I am strong and resilient, and I have the inner resources to overcome any obstacle.' or 'I have a positive mindset that empowers me to overcome challenges and achieve my goals.' 

It sounds like being self-hypnotized somehow ka:))!

Yet, it seems to me that even asking about our own feelings, we can simply ask ChatGPT and then get some questions and choices for us to pick.....similar to having multiple choices ka. 

Feel we'll eventually lose our own selves and thoughts without any urge to use some personal efforts to capture our own feelings and learn about them first.

- Advice on how to practice some 'how-to' like active listening, empathy, how to navigate difficult conversations or resolve conflicts. It offers some role play sets of conversation ka.

On the whole, it’s amazing and worrying ka!

Amazing because this beginner plans to pursue other courses ka! Afraid to belong to 'Useless Class' as identified by Yuval Harari ka.

AND worrying because ChatGPT's capabilities grow much higher and faster with more and more humans depending on it, we'll lose the real human qualities of empathy, sacrifice, humility, and others.

Worried too?