Three life's keywords

 It's getting much warmer all of the sudden mai ka? 

Today I'd like to talk about a new program called, 'Openbooks Club with the Cloud'. I watched it on YouTube ka.

This is only it's ep 3, with Khun Pinyo Trisuriyathamma (ภิญโญ ไตรสุริยธรรมา), the founder of Openbooks publishing house, who shares one recent published book, entitled, 'อู๋เหวย (Wu Wei)'. This one touched on how to lead one's life in tune with the nature ka.

As the book mentions three keywords that really get my attention, I'll offer them to see what you think and how you'll respond ka.

These words are, 'stop/หยุด', 'discard'/ิทิ้ง, ' important things/สิ่งสำคัญ'. 

What are your responses to these three words? What should you stop doing? What to abandon? and what are your important things in life?

It isn't easy to answer and I found that for the first two, I'd add 'trying' like 'trying to stop overthinking' and 'trying to throw unnecessities away'. The third is easiest to read,' stay as healthy as possible to be independent and contributive'.

What are yours ka? I'm still searching my soul to answer the first two ka

Coach Tip?

Hello to all ka! The subject is not to imply that I'm considering adding my life with another role as 'coach' though I tend to 'หาทำ' na ka.

I have a little story to share ka.

Yesterday, I got a text from a gen Y girl, seeking advice. While we were talking on the phone, I thought of a key coaching technique....to listen with questions. I then tried asking some both to understand the context a little further and to know more about her thoughts and concerns.

It was clear to me how frustrated she was as she feels her contribution isn't meaningful to the organization. She finds it hard to accept perfection in everything they do and not to express any views. I gathered then that it must have been stressful for quite a few reasons:  the clash of personal and organizational values, inflexible culture and atmosphere, no impact in one's work, tough job market, fully self-financial freedom. 

She was crying so much that I decided that that coach technique wasn't applicable so I started thinking of some stories to tell her.....flipping my file tabs in my brain from what I've learned as a podcaster ka.

After several stories, she stopped crying and commenting on what she got from the stories to link with her issues. We talked about a few options for her to pick and act. 

I hope it was a 'happy beginning' for her. As for me, I may be a better 'storyteller' than 'coach'. I also feel thankful for working on my podcast show, enabling me to gain some real good stories and life lessons ka.

Leadership of Marriot International

Hope life has been treating you well ka. I couldn't believe how busy I can be kaaa! หาทำทั้งนั้น 5555!

Anyway, last night I went back to watch my favorite program, 'How Leaders Lead by David Novak'. I did listen to the podcast (episode#273) where he interviewed Tony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriot International. I liked it so much I watched it from YouTube to jot down what I wanted to share.

Here are what I'd like ka:

1. Leadership is to 'walk the talk'.  Tony Capuano got to learn from Mr. Marriot (second gen) when they both visited a Marriot hotel in Hawaii. 

Mr. Marriot went into the kitchen to find a young guy washing dishes with the rinse sprayer that didn't function properly. Mr. Marriot told the guy he himself went through washing many dishes before and he knew the tool had to be fixed.

Long story short, he asked his team to go back to the hotel even when they all were about to fly to another city. He went to the kitchen with Tony to try the sprayer. When he saw that it worked, he left. Tony said it was the story he'd never forget as it showed Mr. Marriot's humility, sincerity, and commitment.

2. Tony Capuano has 3 'keys to lead':

2.1 Be naturally intellectually curious -- I've listened to quite a few leaders mention the word, 'curious'.....this CEO adds 'naturally' that means it must come from the inner curiosity of the person loei ka. He's been learning about AI through reading, listening to thought leaders, and visits to sites like Silicon Valley.....this is for him to always aspire to get better. He also stresses the importance of learning across sectors and industries to expand horizons.

2.2 Be an engaged listener -- he doesn't 'take people with him'. Rather, he asks 'people to take him with them' so he learns from the subject matter experts from doorman and concierge to food and beverage associates (all the team members are called 'associates').

2.3 Be humble -- when watching him from YouTube, it amazed me how humble one could be, especially as President and CEO of one of the world’s largest hotel chains, operating about 10,00 properties worldwide.  

3. Little stories he shared show empowerment and best services in associates' DNA, holding up the Marriot's core values (Putting People First, Pursuing Excellence, Embracing Change, Acting with Integrity, and Serving Our World).

One was about an associate who walked for miles during heavy snowy days to pick up needed medication for a hotel guest.

Another was about special arrangements given to a girl who survived cancer with an amputated leg. Her family wanted a celebration in New York and called the hotel up to see how to manage what the girl wished to see/do. They were very surprised when they reached the hotel....welcoming them with red carpets, arranging Broadway show tickets and a car to bring them to places as planned.

Yes....money speaks loudly but service minds and hearts  go much further!

Any thoughts from this message mai ka?

One favorite book

Hello all! Hope you're enjoying your Wednesday ka.

For the past several months, I've been watching some talk shows on YouTube and wish to share with you one program called, 'My favorite book' หนังสือเล่มโปรด moderated by Khun Taew -- Jirayong Anuman-Rajadhon. She's in the financial industry so I only know her from this show.  Her plan to get 99 celebs and key public figures from businesses to share their favorite books is impressive, showing her determination to work on the program and how 'influential' she is to invite them ka.

I know quite a few people she interviewed ..... again from YouTube and podcasts, not in person ka. Here are several people I want to mention.

Let me start from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasu Decharin พสุ เดชะรินทร์ (Chula's Faculty of Commerce). I know him best as a columnist for Krungtepturakit newspaper. At one point, when my family still subscribed to the paper, I sure looked forward to every Tuesday.

I recall vividly how I love his choice of book, which was beyond expectations ka. He chose วังบาดาล (Underwater Palace), Chinese martial arts fiction. What was even more fun to see was his joy when talking about it....his eyes sparkled and his face lit up with smiles, confirming how reading the fiction over and over again still led him to wonder about the mysteries with unlimited imaginations. Listening to him and watching his reactions were delightful ka. 

The second one is Khun Phaniang Pongsatha ไม้ฟืน พะเนียง พงษธา  a highly successful venture investor whose health was harmed badly from the paths to success. Instead of choosing a book, he chose a deck of cards 'เพื่อนใจ -- Mind Friend Cards' as he finds it healing with the statements that help him look within and learn more about his own self and life ka.

His childhood left some scars to him as he was seen as some kind of a 'loser' and he himself took it in to feel unconfident and insecure. It gave me lots of thoughts how families, teachers, and societies need to be more observant and caring for this group of kids to grow up more mentally healthy ka. Practicing Buddhism with a monk he has faith in turned to be very helpful.

The last one was Khun Apiwut Pimolsaengsuriya อภิวุฒิ พิมลแสงสุริยา, an international coach. He chose 'Die with Zero' by Bill Perkins. It gives a very good lesson how to live a life without being too obsessed with wealth and materials. Rather, we should learn to have a happy life till we die....not that we spend to the last penny as some can literally interpret it na ka.

From these three persons, it makes me notice that they are all male and the ways I watched and learned from them are totally from different angles na ka.

I also have to think hard of what I'd choose as my favorite book.....could be a novel I read when I was young ka.....still can't decide. What about you? and why that choice ka?