Thailand - May 19 2010

It’s been an amazing day in Bangkok. Tragic and dangerous. Right at this moment I am in my room unable to walk out of my hotel because the government has understandably called a curfew as of 8pm. Two km from my Hotel one of Asia’s largest shopping malls is in flames. After midday I started hearing numerous explosions as a small group of protestors fuelled by anger made their way out of protest site. I must admit it was quite chilling and surreal at the same time. The’ smokey’ sky, the smell of burning rubber tyres and clatter of gun fire all made for the sounds of a war zone.
I have spent the day trying to concentrate on work
I have been in Bangkok taking leadership programs that we probably should have cancelled due to the situation but my staff have worked hard to get some excellent contracts. I knew if we possibly could, we should do it! After two weeks of being unable to get into our office, my staff deserved a break and for me to show some leadership. To be honest the first few days I was here i felt like the media coverage was extremely exaggerated. But today as the army went into the protester zone, it took a more explosive turn.
I arrived on Saturday and we ran a great public program on Monday and Tuesday with seven executives. Was supposed to be 16 but the number dwindled due to conditions. It was great! It was like my staff and the participants joined hands and said we won’t stop talking leadership when Thailand so badly needs effective business leaders willing to build the talents of their people. We had an amazing two days learning and talking about what it was like to be an effective foreign business leader in Thailand. We decided clearly that a major role for us all was to coach the next generation of business leaders. Not because we are more talented than the Thai business leaders, but simply because we had so many diverse experiences that can be of help. So to those great people and managers from Kone, Fisher and Paykel and Bangkok Hospital who took time out in this pressure situation and had the courage to drive from point A to our program - Thank you.
Next week I will have the pleasure of talking leadership with senior managers from Thailand Petro giant PTTEP.
And as for Thailand I hope the outcome is an immediate concentration on creating an environment where in 25 years, more people from all backgrounds believe they have a right and opportunity to succeed.