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Insights & Perspectives
Welcome to our knowledge hub. Here, we share practical guides, leadership reflections, and strategic analysis on executive communication, cross-border management, and organizational growth.
Whether you are looking for actionable tools to refine your daily communication, elevate team collaboration, or navigate complex cross-cultural expansion across Asia, our insights are designed to help leaders build stakeholder trust, decode local culture, and foster enduring partnerships.
Beyond Titles: Pervasive Influence in Today’s Executive Presence
No Ivy League nor Oxbridge degree. No family office backing. No government background. Yet, I’ve led high-level groundbreaking deals during my corporate career. How? By recognizing early on that while titles or credentials open doors, it’s human connections that truly move mountains. In an era of cross-cultural teams and multigenerational workforces, executive presence must evolve. The old playbook - commanding posture, a resonant tone of voice, polished attire - still matte
5 min read
The Dual Dance of AI: Where Algorithms Meet Appreciation in Leadership
I’m a fan of technology but also a believer in leadership development across cultures. In today’s fast-evolving world, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technological marvel; it is a cultural force reshaping how we think, behave, and lead. However, AI isn’t only about algorithms and data. It’s also about appreciation - appreciative inquiry that fuels growth, innovation, and human connection. Similarly, machine learning (ML) is not just about machines crunching
4 min read
The Power of Storydoing: Turning Words into Action
As a facilitator of storytelling and communication workshops, I often see leaders struggle to turn their messages into meaningful actions. Recently, two inspiring stories from Hong Kong caught my attention - a local couple's kindness on a Korean reality show and McDonald's staff earning praise for a heartwarming act. Both stories highlight the power of Storydoing, a concept that integrates action into the narrative, turning audiences into active participants who co-create out
3 min read
“The Devil Wears Prada” vs. “Mother Teresa”: Balancing Emotional Leadership
I once served two consecutive leaders who exhibited contrasting emotional influence, which felt like a roller-coaster ride when Miranda in “The Devil Wears Prada” meets “Mother Teresa.” It makes me wonder about the benefits and risks of emotional leadership. This article explores how leaders can effectively exert emotional influence while addressing the potential pitfalls of excessive emotionality. In recent years, emotional leadership has become the buzzword again. In the r
4 min read
Authentic or Fake? Understanding the New Rules of Executive Presence
Recently, we held a workshop in Shanghai about the new rules of executive presence. During this workshop, we shared research from Harvard Business Review that shows how leadership has changed over the last ten years. One important trait that stood out is authenticity. Participants asked me how to tell the difference between being authentic and putting on a fake act. This sparked a lot of discussions, and I want to explore this topic further here. What Does Authenticity Mean i
4 min read
The Unsung Heroes: From Olympics Podiums to Boardrooms
As the world shines the spotlight on Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, we witness the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of excellence by athletes worldwide. China's national team has already scooped nearly 40 medals at the time of writing this article. The triumphant stories of HK athletes like Vivian Kong, Cheung Ka Long, and Siobhan Haughey are also uplifting. All the other participating athletes worldwide who devoted as much effort as th
6 min read
Rome is not Built in a Day: So Is Leadership Influence in the AI Era
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the AI revolution, the ability to exert leadership influence has become a critical success factor. Just as the construction of the iconic city of Rome was a gradual process, building and sustaining leadership influence in the current era requires patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to adapt. This article explores the various facets of leadership influence. It also provides insights into how leaders, particularly in small and me
6 min read
Thriving in an Unfamiliar Culture: Fun Tips for New Expats
The past few years with the pandemic have brought about significant changes in work preferences worldwide. From serious lockdown measures to people seeking new environments to be closer to family or simply explore something different, the global landscape has seen a reshuffling of talents across borders. In this context, places like Hong Kong have introduced new policies to attract talents from around the world, including many from Mainland China. However, integrating into a
4 min read
Human Coach vs. AI Coach: Who Wins?
In the ever-evolving landscape of executive and leadership coaching, two distinct approaches have emerged: the traditional human coach and the innovative AI coach. As technology continues to reshape various industries, the coaching realm is not immune to the potential disruption brought about by artificial intelligence (AI). This article delves into the definitions, strengths, and limitations of both human and AI coaches, ultimately exploring which approach may hold the upper
7 min read
Closing the Gap: Empowering Employees with Clarity on Social Media Expectations
Lately, I've been receiving many requests for executive training on personal branding and social media best practices for employees. It's interesting to see how this trend is growing, especially since Ogilvy's latest 2024 research confirms that employee advocacy is becoming a prominent influencer marketing trend for brands. This discovery has made me even more curious and motivated to explore the significance of empowering employees with a clear understanding of social media,
4 min read
My Journey of Reinvention: How My Passion for Media and Communications Continues to Drive Me
As an entrepreneur, coach, and media leader, people often ask me what drives me. For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by media production and storytelling. Growing up in Hong Kong, I would record songs and stories on cassette tapes, and later went on to work at radio stations, where I trained as a DJ and presenter. My passion for media and communication has been a constant thread throughout my life, and it continues to inspire me to this day. Over the years, I'
2 min read
From Deaf Ears to Attentive Mind: My Challenging Journey to the Art of Listening
I'll admit it—I'm an activator. Always on the go, moving at lightning speed, eager to make things happen. Tick tock, tick tock, my heart starts racing when I have to wait for the speaker to get to the meat of their point. Do you share a similar feeling? But in my relentless pursuit of results, I overlooked a crucial skill: deep listening. Active listening, empathetic listening, generative listening - these concepts were completely foreign to me until I stumbled upon the world
2 min read
Lack of Empathy: Don't Make These Connection-Damaging Mistakes
I have always been a results-oriented person, fixated on achieving my goals and driving forward. Empathy, on the other hand, has never come naturally to me. When I took the Strengthsfinder assessment, I wasn't surprised to find that empathy didn't make it to my top 10 strengths. It's not that I don't care about others, but I often struggle to understand their perspectives and emotions. However, during a period of deep self-reflection, I realized how much my lack of empathy ha
4 min read
Connection Confessions: Unlearning Fixed Mindset
Enrolling in a leadership coach training program in 2018 made me realize the challenges I had unknowingly created for myself. Despite my decades-long professional experience in cross-cultural partnerships within the media and technology industries, a crucial realization has dawned on me. I realized the importance of a growth mindset to foster smoother and happier human connections, which come before skill sets. Growth mindset is a concept developed by psychologist Dr. Carol
3 min read
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