Learning from recent earthquake

Hello all! hope you and your loved ones are safe na ka. We've been overloaded these days with lots of information, advice, and complaints through many mass/social media channels. I learned more how to stay safe if it happens again ka.

I have several little stories I heard from my niece who's doing her 'Art Therapy Practicum' at the palliative care ward (65-90+ year-olds), Kwong Siew hospital in the Yaowarat area. Basically, she observes, holds workshops with her peers, and handles one case for her report. So, it's really interesting to learn new things through her practicum.

She was there during the quake and shared with us some stories and actions that I wish to share ka:

- Most of the elderly didn't feel the trembles so on the whole, it was really helpful as they weren't panicky.

- A good system is in place: the healthcare team was calm to manage, moving the patients from the second floor of the three-storey building to its foundation on the ground floor.....good location for 

- One support system is really impressive ka. Since mainly, the patients are from those in the area, the hospital called the patients' families to go to the hospital to lend a hand. Quite a few reached the hospital quite fast. They could also help calm the patients if needed na ka. Personally, I'd love to learn more about how they engage the patients' families too.

My niece was with them until all were back to their places before taking a motorcycle back safely..... I'd have to walk back as I've never been so bold!

On my end, I was wondering why I didn't get to some official sites about the earthquake reports. I could find the main ones only hours later. It made me think that there could be a big gap that has yet to be bridged, both publicly and personally to ensure that accurate info and actions could be taken.

Another lesson is that we must be ready to expect the unexpected especially when it comes to natural disasters na ka.

Research funding and countries of cooperation

Late last week, I was attracted to read a commentary article, entitled, 'Trump’s anti-DEI survey: Time to rethink our research system' by Brendan Walker-Munro on 17 March 2025 from University World News ka.

Gists:

-  Donald Trump issued executive orders banning federal funding on all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, grants and programmes in the US government.

- The orders impact various studies/topics from stroke recovery, computing and ancient languages.

- They already impact Australian researchers who have links to US government-funded projects. 

- The US government has sent a 36-point questionnaire to some Australian researchers who are working on joint projects with US colleagues.

- Some questions include links with funding from China, Russia, Cuba, or Iran; topics related to diversity, inclusion and gender identity, climate change, or securing borders with Mexico, ending government waste, terrorism, etc.

Voices of concern are made from the Group of Eight (which represents Australia’s top research universities) and the Australian Academy of Science with the Australian government about the survey and its impact on Australian research.Some research grants have been suspended or terminated.

What can Australia do?  "Some newly unemployed researchers are now poised to leave the US, taking their research with them. This poses a potential security risk, with countries such as China and Russia both keen to capitalise on Trump’s decisions.The European Union has already offered displaced US scientists a more “sympathetic place to work”. South Korea and Canada are also marketing themselves as attractive options. Australia could follow suit."

What about a smaller and less influential country like us ka? What's the balance between academic strength, funding and countries/regions of cooperation? Who will be the one(s) in charge.....at the policy level to get started and take actions? What's needed? What could be our redesigned strategic directions with changing target partners? As a big picture of our country, would we give more priority to China or other countries/regions, and why?

Any comments mai ka?

Am I very EdPEx?

 Hello all....hope you're enjoying your Monday morning ka.

I have some experience to share after my eye surgery late last week ka. (Because of  two eye issues, I decided to stay in the hospital for three days.....right decision mak)

Here are what I observed and learned ka:

Several strengths are the quality and age range of the eye doctors there ka...younger with extensive experiences in their specializations; and readiness at its insurance management center.

- one nice story when I talked with a  patient transporter who helped me go through some processes. I asked him what he thought about his job as it was kind of very busy that day. He said he was used to the work and wouldn't be so tring. He was satisfied with his job because he felt he was  making some merit every day from helping the elderly (errrrr!) who needed support ka. Happy story for me (and the hospital) loei ka.

Others that were observed include:

- Communication could have been better with common instructions (basic knowledge+info) for all the staff involved. Gaps were spotted easily, from time to be admitted/ operated and room availability, to proper preparation before going for the surgery and monitoring of blood pressure levels. It was either different responses from different persons or no definite answers to know when it was there. 

 

- Human touch could readily be heightened. Since eye patients don't need that much closer attention except  a little bit more for eye preparation and eye care, it could happen that nurses and assistants can simply finish their tasks ....not better and beyond to cover 'expectation management' with a fine sense of service.

- Comments were taken up quite promptly. My sister and I decided to share our experiences in the comment form provided. The head nurse came in to listen a little later after that ka. I suggested that they should benefit from their being a public organization and the comments would need attention and actions from the senior leadership as it relates to alignment, workforce motivation, process protocols, knowledge management, etc. 

Am I too tough a patient or far too EdPEx mai ka?

Happy Monday na ka.

Key takeaways from a book summary

 I happened to skim through the list of books under ‘summary.com’ that I’ve subscribed for some years now. This book, ‘Be the Unicorn --12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest’ by William Vanderbloemen, was voted best business book of 2024. So I think I should read it besides listening to it a while ago kaa!

Though it focuses on how to become a unicorn, I think there are quite a few key takeaways for us here ka:

- Speed matters. Yet, barriers are access to opportunity and fear (with overthinking behavior).

I think of risk taking loei ka…but sure needs experiences, baseline info and stats, and guts na ka.

- Be authentic as this is the quality that differentiates us from others to be hired and retained in our jobs. I tend to link authenticity with vulnerability and we need to ensure our expressions align and are acceptable within the contexts and timing.  

-  Stay agile like most positive people who can problem-solve, without wasting time in meetings while trying to simplify things.

These days, people mention a lot about productivity and so the meeting issue is almost always raised. I can’t agree more loei ka….too much time listening to some irrelevant comments or from seniors/chairs mai ka….I mean in our rachakarn context in particular?

- Be successful solvers by collaboration.

I think we’re getting better on facing conflicts but again, some senior leaders could be hesitant and hide them under the rugs. If given the issue to the group, it could help ease the obstacles in some cases na ka.

- Anticipate well. This could be hard for many but this summary says we can learn to do it by knowing ourselves, our histry and our surrounding.

It could include being observant about what’s happening around the corner….from home to workplace to region and the world na ka. Reading could also be another great source .

- Be prepared like doing our homework before interviews, meetings, etc.

I’d like to add about reskilling and upskilling as part of today’s preparation ka.

- Be self-aware and curious

These are 2 important qualities we need for our lives into the future and kids need to be guided to get more practices.

- Be purpose driven and likable to get connected

When we’re competent, productive, genuine and kind, people tend to like us with more willingness to link us up with others. For me, when we think and act beyond our own benefits, our purpose will shine for others to feel more confidence in making friends/business with us. 

Which do you like best and why ka?

Executive Presence

Hello everyone. I just read and listened to the HBR On Leadership podcast series. Amy Bernstein hosted the Episode 98 on ‘How to Develop Your Executive Presence’, shared by Megan Bock, the COO of an insurance technology company and Laura Sicola, a cognitive linguist who coaches executives, and Mary Calmer, an insurance underwriter.

The term, ‘Executive Presence’ caught my attention and these are what I captured ka:

1. Executive presence is a contributing factor for continued promotion or opportunity

2. The ideas of Sylvia Anne Hewlett about executive presence consists of leadership traits, which are divided into three categories:

- Gravitas -- confidence, decisiveness, inclusiveness, respect for others, vision and integrity

- Communication skills -- ability to command a room, to read an audience and to be authentic

- Appearance -- polished look and a willingness to show up in person

3. Be subject matter expertise and always prepare for a meeting e.g. understand what’s going on, where we want the meeting to go, what our perspective is, and how to communicate, etc.  

4. Being willing and comfortable to engage with people in the room regardless of their level in the hierarchy.

For me, this is crucial in the Thai context ka! More often than not, we tend to listen more to those with authorities and titles, agreed?

5. Represent beyond our own specific perspective to that of our team and the organization. Personally, I think it’ll show clearly about the leadership to go for the big picture ka.

6. Women in particular tend to undermine themselves with their sense of perfectionism and are much less likely to speak up in a meeting.

This is from the western culture and they still have this issue. In Thai work culture la ka? Public and private?

7. Executive presence is a journey to keep practicing and sharpening ka!

Any comments mai ka?