Learning about leadership in Crisis from a Retired Foreign Service Officer who was placed in China and Japan Part 1

Learning about Leadership in Crisis from a Foreign Service Officer who was in Midst of Crisis Part 1

-Cost and Tips to get out of Crisis-

Have you ever questioned what goes in mind of leaders during the crisis?

Do you think we can learn from such leaders and apply to our life?

Today, November 13, 2014 Thursday, I had an opportunity to listen to Mr. Robert S. Luke, a former Foreign Service Officer speak on the topic of "Perspectives on a career in the United States Foreign Service." He gave his story and experience related to working in Foreign Service during the Tianamen Square Massacre, Lehman Shock, and 2011 (March 11) Japan- Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. (Presented by: http://www.worldspeakerforum.org/).

This blog post will have part 1 and part 2.  You will be learning in relation to Mr. Luke's experience and from his observation of world leaders:

1. Cost of crisis.
2. What is needed to break the pattern in crisis.
3. The biggest question during crisis and how to prepare for an answer.
4. Mindset that helps during crisis.
5. Tips for making decision during crisis.

1. Cost of Crisis.

Answer: Other than the obvious (money, life, time, relationships, etc.), you may lose a big opportunity for a win and need to wait for a while.

Before beginning I need to say that the speech was not presented in this order as he spoke about Japan first and then China.  The obvious cost of crisis for Japan after the Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 are devastation, destruction, and death, which are the same for Tianamen Square Massacre 1989 in incident.  However, since there are some times elapsed from the Tianamen Square incident in China, Mr. Luke mentioned something interesting as to the impact of Tianamen Square on China and the U.S.A. relations.

Prior to the incident the United States was on a project to negotiate China to be in the World Trade Organization (WTO).  There are many things to be said about the impact of China entering the WTO for both the U.S. and China, (see reference 1), and the major point of take home for me was that they were working way before 1989 and when one of a major crisis, Tianamen Square Incident happened the idea was postponed until 12 years later in 2001.

It is probably not all just because of joining the WTO, and it is true that joining had a major circumstances to how China exploded in its growth since 2001.  The question is what is it happened 12 years earlier?

In similar instance, in March 11, 2011, Japanese government and TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company; who was responsibly for the nuclear reactor exploding), had a chance to prevent the explosion, yet resulted in a disaster.

Lesson 1:

• Wrong decision to a reaction towards crisis will cost you a lot of damage. 

• And sometimes you do get a second chance like in case of China and sometimes not like in case of TEPCO (Japan). 

• Is this true in our life too?

2. What is Needed to Break the Pattern in Crisis.

Answer: Simply do what is out of expectation or what should be done but many don't do.

Mr. Luke next introduced a gentleman, called Wang Qishan, who is a senior leader of the communist party in China. There is something interesting about this man, not only the fact that he is the only man in the committee wearing a "blue" tie rather than "red."  

When sector Hank Paulson needed to make a deal about cleaner environment with China in the middle of the financial crisis caused by the Lehman Brother's bankruptcy in 2008, the conversation was not on the same page between China and the U.S.

And in crisis one thing that needs to happen is communication and teamwork.  When either one was not happening, Wang Qishan breaks a joke to re-establish the relationship with Sec. Paulson.  This leads to the creation of his institution of sustainable economic growth and cleaner environment.

This reminded me where basically a friendly conversation between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev ended the Cold War.  Which is surprising because two men who are supposed to be enemies to each other, overcome the expectation of others, and become friends to end the crisis.

Lesson 2:

• Can you be friends with an enemy or throw a joke when people are least expecting?
• And put effort to build human relationship in middle of a crisis?  
• If yes, then you are more likely to resolve your crisis, as someone once said that majority of human problems are caused by communication error between people. 

(To be continued to part 2)

Reference:

1. Filippetti, A. (May 11, 2012).  10 Years After: Taking Stock of China's WHO Membership. https://www.opendemocracy.net/openeconomy/andrea-filippetti-stefania-innocenti/10-years-after-taking-stock-of-china%E2%80%99s-wto-membersh