Zhuhai, China- Teaching at the United International College

I had the opportunity to be part of the Fulbright Scholar lecture series in China. This series was arranged and coordinated by the Hong Kong Fulbright Commission office and maintained in part by the Hong Kong America Center. The course is taught for a semester by several Fulbright scholars and themes vary from arts, science to business and leadership. My portion was to introduce the student to leadership concepts and give them an opportunity to discuss exemplars in leadership. I chose to bring the life of Frances Hesselbein as an example of a great leader in the United States. She was responsible for the vitality and reach of the Girls Scout Organization. As the CEO of the GS, she provided vision and change for millions of girls across the United States. Upon introducing the highlights leadership lessons unfolded. Discussions about what is leadership? Defining leadership within the context of those listening and learning.

Zhuhai is a beautiful coastal city that is near to Hong Kong by ferry. It is a city that is fast growing where the United International College has found its home. UIC is part of a university alliance linked to the Beijing Normal University providing a quality higher education to the young people of China. UIC is unique in its education structure. It is one of the first universities in China exploring the concept of a "liberal arts" education. Because of this development in education, an interdisciplinary course was introduced a few years ago. The Fulbright scholars in Hong Kong are now part of this great collaboration, providing the interdisciplinary experience for these wonderful students.

Working with colleagues from around various parts of the US- University of San Francisco, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, University of Boston and William and Mary, makes this collaboration so enriching. In collaboration with my colleagues, a journal will be published on the content of the course and the themes of each topic discussed.

Dusting off the shelf......revisiting the blog

This is the initiation the last chapter in my experiences here in Hong Kong and others parts of Asia. I have several memorable events that have transpired over the last few weeks. I will review these, in parts these will be filled with great emotion and also stories of incredible people who I have met. The students that I have taught and the lessons learned about leadership and what it means to lead?  It is a fast review, but one worth to write.

Updates- End of March and beginning of April

It has been a busy time for all of us in Hong Kong. The girls continue to do very well with their schooling and Mandarin is flowing. Hannah, reminds me of the characters she has learned, she can pronounced perfectly and is developing good penmanship with the learning. Mia, is impessing the teachers since Mandarin is her first language, so she responds and talks back to the Mandarin teacher at school.  We are proud of their continued progress while attending NIS in Hong Kong. The experiences at the school have been fantastic for all of us as a family.

I am busy with research and also writing a book with my colleagues at CUHK.  We have been in meetings discussing and editing the content of the book. It has been a learning and yet very rewarding time to work with great leaders in the field. I have learned much about the Chinese culture, business culture and what are the norms.  Interesting discussions about HRM and the process of dealing with people have unfolded while we write and edit. The CUHK is a diverse campus with many happenings and this has made the research very valuable. You have to be here to experience it and to know the culture. The time is rich and so rewarding in many ways.....truly words cannot express all the memories that are being made while here. In addition to this book, Ping Ping and I are collaborating on research around women in a leadership role. Interviews and focus groups have been our continued schedule on this research. It has been rewarding to share valuable time with great women leaders in this area.

My cameras need repair.....I have two cameras and each one has an issue. I hope to get this resolved soon so that I can get pictures up on the blog. In the meantime, I depend on the kindness of others to forward photos to my account.

Sad news from home-- it is with great pain in my heart that I announce the passing of my nephew Elisha Hudson Flick on Thursday, March 31.  He has fought a great battle here on earth and now receives peace and healing in the arms of God. It is difficult to be 8000 miles away and not be there physically with my sister and family.  It has been very hard to weather this news and think of being there.  We are at peace given the times spent before our departure to Hong Kong. Our hope is that we will meet again, and this is not the end. For those who know the Flick family, a service is being held at KPC 2PM on April 6, 2011.

Finally, I continue to prepare lecture materials for several invitations in mainland China and Hong Kong. The Fulbright program in Hong Kong is one of the most competitive and vibrant programs Asia awards. As a Fulbright scholar you are called and invited to present and lecture at various events.This also keeps me busy preparing materials and engaging in interesting projects in this area.

It is busy...however, there is always time for friendship, dim sum and a few noodles here and there.  Friendships are unfolding and it will be difficult to part.

Speaking to the student body of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (HKIVE)

A wonderful opportunity awarded by the US Consulate of HK, department of Cultural Affairs to speak at the "Cultural Awareness" week for the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (HKIVE). An auditorium full of students from various backgrounds and ages were the audience. A wonderful group of leaders greeted me at the door and I was introduced immediately to some of their most outstanding students, the honor roll and shook hands with those who are about to graduate.  I had a bottle of water, my folder with notes and a bag full of Regent University goodies....these provided by our wonderful staff at RSU (thank you- students loved the red flags, pens and Regent logo balls).

Upon being contacted to represent the US Consulate as a Fulbright Scholar at events such as these, I thought of some great topics and themes. Immediately, I knew I had to present on Leadership and Vision. Given that these students are making career decisions, I felt moved to speak about personal goal setting, becoming a leader regarding your very own future. Reminding the students that leadership is not about position but about attitude, behavior and personal growth. Vision is a image of what we seek to attain, the goals lead us to that place. I quoted several leaders, noted statistics, but more importantly encouraged those listening. I voiced in many places, more than once that leadership comes from within, and that many are watching and much is learned through observation. It is about integrity, honesty, responsibility.....

So the questions came flooding out of the audience-- What about failure? is it possible to have something good from failure. Absolutely, failure gives us the opportunity to rethink to reposition and make stronger decisions. Then the next question, about hard choices in life, being confident about choosing the proper career, and it went on.  Everyone was so delighted that students engaged in such a way. Adelaide, my host and guide, was pleased and continually reminded me that this is rare to have such return.

The accomplishment is great and the encouragement was felt, but more than anything it is a seed of hope, bringing understanding that vision is important, stated strongly that without vision the people will perish. These are challenging words by the old testament prophet. The encouragement comes from knowing that we are not alone.

Japan- Weathering the tragedy

Yes.....we are very close to Japan in more ways than a mere geographic region. Our hearts are truly moved by the impact this great storm, tsunami, earthquake has shaken the ground and the many lives of people in Japan. I am reminded that our storms in life are in no comparison to Japan....but nonetheless, it is there. We board the trains, we see the news, people wear mask in Hong Kong for many reasons- it is not the radiation, more for hygiene and once you cough, you must wear one. It is a good way to stay healthy, get better quickly, and keep others from getting contaminated. The efficiency of the people here is amazing and also to watch the way in which people have weathered the aftermath in Japan. Straight lines, orderly to receive aid, to receive water, to receive food.  We have much to learn from this storm and that of our own storms in life. Read here to find out more about this issue in Japan.

As we feel the impact in many ways, it is greater for those who are Japanese, like our Chairman at the CUHK- who is Japanese and wrote to all in our department to inform that his family is in good standing, that he was able to locate a friend and his family and all is well. Our hearts, prayers go out to this great nation.

My children today came home from school announcing that they were taking a collection for the tsunami victims in Japan. Hannah, saying very confidently "they need our help, because they do not have enough water and they are our neighbor".  She was on a campaign, at six years old already looking for ways to help.

As we weather our storms in life, my constant reminder of who we are in Christ is my nephew Elisha, who is fighting for his life at the NIC unit of the children's hospital. He has been there since birth, November 18, 2010- he is a twin to Ephraim. My sister and family have beautiful children and these two little boys are precious. Elisha fights, and he is strengthen and sustained by prayers.  We can  have joy in the midst of the storm....it is difficult nonetheless, but our hope and strength comes from above.

What is your storm today?  Rest in the hands of God, for He will sustain you and give you peace.

Discussions about Google's Exit Strategy from China

An interesting research presentation by my colleague Prof. Peng Changgui  in the Department of Management offered a thought provoking research method and also "hot" topic for the times.  Peng discusses the research from text to action- a discoursed-based perspective on the institutional pressures: a case study about Google's exit strategy.

Peng's position is to analyze the various text- from newspapers to PR releases around the China 2010 Google challenge. He proposes the following:

Discourse is not merely talking and writing but 'a system of statements which constructs an object' (Parker, 1992: 5). A discourse analysis as a research method investigates a text's 'production, dissemination, and consumption - in order to explore the relationship between discourse and social reality' (Philips, Lawrence & Hardy, 2004). In this meeting, we shall introduce our preliminary application of a discourse analysis method to examine a few key texts relevant to Google's decision-making in an exit from mainland China. Through this case study, we attempt to build a framework concerning contingencies to a firm's strategic responses to institutional pressures.


 His findings will include a series of articles written about the discourse in the text. His discussion was enriched by the various viewpoints on how to measure the discourse. Chairman Shige, suggested looking at the various entities that surround the institution- including stakeholders. While Munley, proposed that while isolation of statements were being made, maybe a study of motives could be considered. Fu's values-based leadership was part of the discussion as Peng highlighted the values of the leader to make decisions and how they are made and written.

Come join us for the next brown bag lunch- these are excellent ways to share our valuable research and engage in topics for the future.

Fulbright Research Forum: Hong Kong and Macau

Every year the Hong Kong America Center, directed by Dr. Glenn Shive, hosts the Fulbright Research forum which invites the East Asia Senior Scholar Researchers and also the Fulbright Research group from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. This year it was a large contingency of incredible people who have dedicated their lives to East Asia and to fulfill projects that will change how we think about Asia. More than 100 people in attendance, including scholars from the various universities in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. The forum featured guest speakers, while also inviting panelist to discuss Sino-American relation. Discussions on the Hong Kong two identities, was an incredible topic. While HK belongs to China, there are still marked differences in the socio political behavior of both HK and China. Meeting some of the most influential people of Hong Kong was truly invigorating. The second wealtheast man or one of the "billionaires" of Hong Kong hosted one of our luncheons where discussions were raised on identity, culture and what it means to do business in Hong Kong.

The forum also required segments of work and research, collaborating with others in defining and synthesizing the research for the region. I participated as a facilitator for the Social Change and Education round table. I had the opportunity to review and understand projects from a wide range of scopes, diversifying over the East Asia region.  The research ranged from educational programs for minority groups in China, such as the Han and Yi people, to providing digital education in a texting capacity.

Over the four days of discussions, between forums, panels, luncheons and work. We managed to see a few of the sights and those were incredible.  Our ferry ride to Macau on the "jet foil" was fun and fast!  We arrived quick and checked immigration. That evening, I ate some of the most fantastic Macanese food- a mixture of Macau and Portuguese, amazing food!  Macau also hosted several round tables discussing the viability of this island nation, the economy and growth within. The island is also a mixture of beautiful colonial, Spaniard architecture mixed with Chinese themes. (My camera is on the mend, so as soon as I can retrieve these pictures, I will post more on the amazing features of Macau). 

The forum also featured the visit and guest appearances of high officials from the Embassies in China  and Hong Kong, also the US State Department. Having dinner with our US Ambassador in his home was absolutely beautiful....Talk about having the best view in town!  It was breathtaking. During the event Ambassador Young spoke highly of the Fulbright as the flagship program the US offers to nations around the world. He is honored to have the privilege of inviting Fulbrights to Hong Kong. It is an honor for me to serve our nation as a Fulbright Scholar, representing the values of our great nation. The closure of the event came fast, as the projects and research design were evaluated, analyzed and many great recommendations and studies for future arose from the discussions. It was now time to go back to our respective posts.....for it was an amazing journey.