Smile

When I first started work here in Thailand the Director of Human Resources gave me a gift of several books, one is called "Working with Thai's".  Before I arrived a friend who had been General Manager at a resort here in Thailand had also recommended the same book.  

I read the book for a few chapters and put it down, there were many things to do when I first arrived here.  However the HR Director was persistent and in those first few weeks whenever I met her, "Did you read your books yet?"  Of course it was good advice, and after a suitable amount of goading I read said book, at least partly just to get her off my back and move on.  In hindsight  I will say it was a great thing to do and my thanks to her for pushing me to read.

One part of "Working with Thais" that is particularly memorable is the "Bakers Dozen of smiles".  Thirteen smiles you will find here under various circumstances, like the smile you give when you run into somebody's car, and the smile you give when you are mad about what was just said to you.  The smile is often accompanied by a giggle, laugh or chuckle.  Some how the two things combined seem to ease the pain, (at least for the Thai people in the equation).  Logically this means between two Thai people what is said and meant is perfectly understood and a smile of apology, contrition, thanks, embarrassment, or acknowledgement goes a long way.  Of course, not everybody here has read, or will read about 13 smiles, and so even after a long time working and living in Thailand the smiling does not necessarily make sense. When the interaction is between Thai and non-Thai it can easily result in looks of; bewilderment, surprise and sometimes anger and rage, (from the non Thai), when I see that (at least once a day), I am now smiling.

A Whole New Mind

In 2006, during a previous hotel life, my then General Manager went to lecture by a man called Daniel H. Pink.  Mr. Pink, a well known author, previously published a book called "Free Agent Nation", at that time his second book called "A Whole New Mind, Why Right-Brainers will rule the future", was receiving a great reviews and recognition.  Mr. Pink's presentation so impressed the GM he bought me back a copy.

In the two short years since then, (as I get older the years do feel shorter), I have read and re-read this book, further more his well referenced book has led to a string of other reading; including Peter Drucker, Viktor Frankl and Daniel Goleman.   One day I will probably add something of those books to this blog but today an introduction to "A Whole New Mind" is my goal.

The main contention of Mr. Pink is that we need new skills, "aptitudes", to ensure we, (you and me), have a jobs going forward into the 21st century.

"To survive in this age, individuals and organizations must examine what they're doing to earn a living and ask themselve three questions:

• Can someone overseas do it cheaper?
• Can a computer do it faster?
• Is what I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance

He spends most of his book introducing the six aptitudes that he explains will help us adapt to an ever changing world. The aptitudes are; Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning.  Somewhere amongst the different posts on this blog I am hoping you will find one or more of these aptitudes.  Putting these ideas down will help me see these aptitudes "at work", if it helps you too then great!

"... live like a tourist..."

I was discussing with a work mate how the likelihood of a move to another country in the next 12 months had changed my perspective on the remaining time that we, (my family and I), have here in Bangkok.  

Now Bangkok is of course a famous city with a multitude of events, festivals, venues and things to do. Whilst some of these things are definitely not on our families list, the majority however are all great things that we can enjoy and experience.  As our time here is limited if we don't live like tourists we will miss the chance to do so much.
This was in my mind yesterday as it was Loy Krathong Festival here in Thailand. Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the month of November. Even though there was a lot to do and the day was not finished, (work wise), I did get out with all the children and we went to Lumipini Park and bought Krathongs. They were for sale in many places and we all choose one each and off we went float our dreams on the lake at Lumpini.

That was not only my piece of fun for the, we all enjoyed it.  Did you have fun today? Ask yourself what about your day today was fun? What stays in your mind as the highlight. Some people say that they enjoy their job and they like it, fine but are you willing to say its fun! When did you laugh and what made you laugh? I think we will all be having fun if we can look back at the day and find the things that made us smile.

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