Learning from questions

 Hi, everyone. Hope you're having a great weekend na ka.

There were several things that came to just one topic I put under the subject as 'learning from questions' ka.

I was given an opportunity to help with two little sessions on, 'icebreaking' and 'reflection' in a workshop on 'After Action Review -- AAR'. So, here are two things to share:

First, for the icebreaking, my question to that little group was, 'What would be one fruit you would choose that describes you and why?' 

I learned later that the group was a bit nervous about it because they didn't know what to expect. 

We used similar questions to get to know our new Fulbright grantees and then we used 'animals' which demonstrated much creativity and uniqueness ka. They just tried 'fruit' recently so I copied them ka.

The question sounded simple yet, it needed some time to think especially those who have never been through some similar activities ka. Once they told the group why they picked the fruit, I followed on with several questions and helped analyze 'who they were' ka.

I think it was a fun exercise to ignite their further thought about their own selves and for others to know them. Their supervisors would know more about their team and if carefully monitored, could help train or assign them to work more appropriately too. 

Second, on reflection, two questions were, 'What was the most impressive thing you learned today?' and 'Without thinking to answer right away, how do you feel now?' 

Besides lessons learned from the AAR session, they sure looked into themselves to know how they felt....something quite a number haven't learned much how to answer 'feel' not 'learn'. 

The last, which is totally unlinked to the first two, was from an exclusive interview by ABC of OPen AI CEO, Sa, Altman by Rebecca Jarvis.I stopped to watch it right away and would encourage you to follow the link below ka.

Love how Rebecca interviewed.....Rebecca's questions were direct and forceful especially about ethics, guilt, and harm for human beings (and yes, he was aware of the negative side, was worried but then more benefits would be generated.). While listening to the interview, I found it very interesting to see how the CEO would answer and how she continued stressing key points for more clarifications/reasons. 

Both sides must have some specific skills to go through such a session and I can't help but wonder how many Thais can be up to that standard. In our own language, it could be tough and definitely tougher if in English for us who haven't practiced to think and answer fast plus when we aren't that proficient.

Follow this link to see what you think ka.

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-reshape-society-acknowledges/story?id=97897122

Body language

 Hello everyone. 

Last week, I read one article entitled, '8 Great Tricks for Reading People’s Body Language' by Dr. Travis Bradberry dated March 13, 2023 and it's quite interesting to share and check with ourselves if they're true ka.

The author says the 8 tricks to read body language are:

1. Crossed arms and legs signal resistance to your ideas, explaining that the gestures mean physical barriers which suggest the other person is not open to what you’re saying. 

Psychologically, crossed legs or arms signal that a person is mentally, emotionally, and physically blocked off from what’s in front of them. 

For me, it doesn't fit with my feelings ka. I grew up being asked to cross my arms all the time to be focused so whenever I have to listen hard especially when it's one on one, I'd cross my arms ka. When I attended a 'coach training', it was pointed out to me not to do it and I questioned quietly in my mind that it was 'western':))!

Asked my friend about it and she could tell I was paying attention when doing so ka.

You and this body language la ka?
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2. Real smiles crinkle the eyes. The author states ..... you want to know if someone’s smile is genuine, look for crinkles at the corners of their eyes. 

I thought it would be about 'sparkling eyes', which would be what I've been observing...;others and me myself ka....maybe they signal enthusiasm, not 'real smiles'?. For the crinkles, they show even without smiles mai ka? 5555!

3. Copying your body language is a good thing.  Mirroring body language is something we do unconsciously when we feel a bond with the other person, showing that he/she . is receptive to your message. 

I like this one especially when it can be very useful for negotiation ka.

4. Posture tells the story. This means when someone walks into the room alone or along with others, we could identify who's  the one in charge. Thai culture can see it very easily and oftentimes, automatically like the seniors and bosses sit or stand in front or in the middle na ka.

This is what we should practice ka: maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement, whether you’re a leader or not.

5. Eyes that lie.  “Look me in the eye when you talk to me!”...... this doesn't sound Thai mai ka?  Younger gens may be a little more westernized to look into the eyes but older gens tend to talk by looking at the other person from his/her nose and down mai ka?

The author pointed out that on average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when we’re listening than when we’re talking. If you’re talking with someone whose stare is making you squirm—especially if they’re very still and unblinking—something is up and they might be lying to you.

6. Raised eyebrows signal discomfort. The article stressed that if 'somebody who is talking to you raises their eyebrows and the topic isn’t one that would logically cause surprise, worry, or fear, there is something else going on.' 

I don't quite get it  and have to observe more ka.

7. Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval. 'When you’re telling someone something and they nod excessively, this means that they are worried about what you think of them or that you doubt their ability to follow your instructions.'

I think this too would need more observations because in our traditions, we tend to nod often following bosses' instructions or seniors' stories to show agreements and attention mai ka? 

8. A clenched jaw signals stress. This seems to be obvious but I still am not sure if it's easily seen in our culture ka.

How many can describe your own body language ka?

Workshop lessons

 Happy Monday ka, everyone.

My junior friend and I offered a one-day workshop late last week. It was about international cooperation for a medium-sized university ka. I've been thinking about it since I got back and wish to share my impressions and learning with you ka.

Have to admit that I was a bit worried about my own energy to stay for one full day especially after I blew one very small session last month. Then I had to introduce one keynote. Despite the script I carefully crafted and rehearsed, it turned out to be one 'bad hair day' for me ka. Had to pause to catch my breath and couldn't express words clearly. Wish I could share it here but not yet kaaa!

Anyway, I survived this workshop and here are a few things about it ka.

1. The workshop management worked well to have leaders and staff in the morning (happy its leaders agreed to be there too) and only staff in the afternoon (though leaders were also welcome ka!) It was impressive to see all attentive and follow the workshop with few layers of authority felt.

We convinced them that being smaller has lots of advantages and they have their contexts to care for, not to run after others (ranking included 5555!)

I wish this community could feel more proud being smaller ka.

2. I was told that I mentioned 'EdPEx' for over 20 times....trying to link it with international cooperation work ka. I didn't realize how close my heart is with this Framework na ka. Guess I've heard repeatedly from the senior leaders and staff that communication didn't get through somehow and that the university community didn't seem to have alignment in their work ka. 

We had a word card game and some chose 'values' kaa! Great to see them give importance to the university values (not out of the written words on the boards and posters ka!)

3. Our workshops offered opportunities for them to learn about themselves and to question whether they were fit for their work, especially those who have been assigned to be international officers/coordinators at their faculties ka. 

The final response showed their willingness to try. Some wished to focus more on negotiation and leadership skills too...we both couldn't be happier  as we always hope that our universities won't regard international cooperation work as event organizers and support staff with their English proficiency when they can contribute more significantly far beyond simple logistics and correspondence ka.

4. We had too many activities and though they were open for discussions, more time for them to digest would have been more beneficial. Our slides could give us like a few more workshops in the future kaa! I hope they got some good sense of what we were trying to give....overloaded lae ka.

One obvious issue ( like quite a few other places ka,) was that some participants could feel less confident for being slow thinkers but it wasn't true.  More time and opportunities plus more questions in an informal setting will enhance their faster thinking and sharing.  Leaders could hear louder voices from their team members too ka.

5. Even when I'm tied up, anything concerns 'วิเทศ' international cooperation will lead me to say 'yes' ka. It's the passion in me ka.

Lost out of greed kaa!

 Hello all! It took me a while to think of what to write this week. Even with a few stories or summaries to choose from, I somehow don't feel like sharing about it ka. 

After I got my Protein supplement formula from Lazada 3.3 and heard that a few banks have collaborated to get info about online scams, I thought of an earlier issue and here I am to share the story ka!

Several months back, I was thinking of having supplement drinks instead of milk to help increase bone density.......5555! obviously it's age kaa! I looked at quite a few ads on Facebook to check the price of each vendor, feeling unsure which to buy from. My niece told me some tips to see the reviews and number of people buying the product. 

After some comparison, I spotted one which offered quite an inexpensive charge but had to get half a dozen. Then I wondered about the expiry date to make sure I could use it up within time. The vendor sent me a picture of her?, showing the date with packs of the products on the floor.

To make the long story short, I chatted with the vendor several more times through messenger and decided to buy it when the offer was for 3 big cans. After I transferred the money, she thanked me and said I'd receive it in 2-3 days. Several days had passed and when I asked her about it, she left the messenger kraaa! 

My friend was pretending to buy it from this ad, but after she asked what to do if the products weren't sent, the person left the chat right away. 

Lessons learned with one regret ka -- I should have filed the case at the police station and gone to the bank for proper precautionary actions ka. Now that there's a joint call center, things should be better.

My friend was saying, from 'greed' to 'กรี๊ดดดดด (ถูกหลอก)' ka! Lazada and Shopee are the safest so far ka!

Any comment mai ka?