Be Successful in Business Life
Apr 18-2013
By NING Jing
On April 16th, 2007, Anthony Alan Smith, the Chairman of the Board for the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, was invited to give a speech for BiMBA students in the China Center for Economic Research of Peking University (CCER) at 10am.
After a warm welcome, Anthony Alan Smith walked into the Zhifuxuan classroom to give a short speech about his experience in leadership. Mr. Smith was very impressed by the beauty of CCER and Peking University. He came straight to the point with writing the word ‘KISS’ on the blackboard and asked: “All of you know this word, right?” After a hail of laugh, he presented the meaning of that key word as “Keep It Simple & Stupid!” All the audiences were attracted by his unique explanation. Mr. Smith went on with the ‘Smith’s Rules’ of his own, instructing the BiMBA students how to be successful in the business life as a leader.
“There Are Many Paths, Don’t Try to Fake It!”
The worst mistake one might make is trying to be camouflaged. Mr. Smith emphasized: ‘Don’t try to fake it! Be yourself!’ He indicated that people with all kinds of characters could find a way to success. One just can not betray his own personality.
“Dance with the Lady that Brung You!”
Referring to an American idiom, Mr. Smith suggested that one should draw on their own abilities. He believed that one had better know what his strengths and gifts are and dance with them. Mr. Smith said full of wit: “Dance with your own lady! Never try to dance with someone else.”
“Communicate!”
Mr. Smith pointed out that sometimes people don’t understand clearly what they expected. Accordingly problems always come out because of the bad communication. Therefore, communication is crucial in business life! Keep on communicating with others will lead one to success.
“You Aren’t as Smart as You Think You Are!”
Good leader will find lots of talented people to work for them, and then regular them, let them do their own work. Mr. Smith wanted people to keep in mind that you are the manager do not mean that you always have the good ideas or you are smarter than anyone else.
“You Are Smarter than You Think!”
Sometimes a leader will hear different voice from different people. After that, he should know what to insist, and which one is necessary for a good strategy. Trust yourself that you are the one who can control the situation, no matter how difficult it is!
After the speech, the BiMBA students can not hold on even a minute to ask Mr. Smith questions about his personal, as well as their own problems faced in reality. Mr. Smith shared some other strategies to be a good leader during the Q&A session. As he mentioned, working for different companies, one should observe and understand the different cultural background. A common but tough issue for a manager is to be positioned in a place where he knows almost nothing, “But you can still be successful!” said Mr. Smith. He explained that a leader does not need to know every detail, but he should be good at organizing and coordinating a capable team. Mr. Smith also shared some tips on how to deal with trouble makers and tyrant bosses.
In the end, Mr. Smith and Professor Yang exchanged the presents on behalf of the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation and BiMBA. They both expected further and deeper communication between the two organizations in the near future.
