On my first week as CEO at UVT – I met an issue none of the Business School in the US had equipped their students for: to bow or not to bow at the Fortune–God altar in the school lobby.
It’s hard enough to know where the bathroom is – much less stumbling upon the Fortune Gods.
Yet I did. And handled it.
You see here in the East – one believes in not just skills – professional or otherwise but also in good luck and good heart. Without the blessings from the Underworld, no matter how hard you try – the results won’t be satisfying.
Yes you can manipulate or negotiate.
But human efforts don’t account for much (reverse 80/20 rule).
Hence the appeasement and appearance of compliance: to the authority and Higher Authority.
I feel humble.
I know there are forces out there beyond my purview and power.
I do my best and leave the rest to the Fortune Gods.
Power outage – gas price – typhoon.
Seeing students eager to learn motivates me.
After all I still have my student ID card with me (University of Saigon 1975). At their age – I did pray to the gods to protect me against the uncertain seas.
I was at the mercy of International waters and International Relief . I was at the mercy of prejudiced bosses at work and mean bumps on the street.
I have survived it all – unprepared or ill-prepared.
From this vantage point – it’s me who needs to burn that incense more than anyone else.
So I bowed and prayed.
I needed help.
I needed blessings .
I needed to taste sweat and tears – as cake mix. Then I can bake that cake of success. In Gates of Fire – the leader of 300 just responded after being warned that the enemy’s arrows will cover the sun: “That’s good. We will fight in the shade”. Yes Achille Yes Samson Yes Pharaoh.
You will all die. Momento Mori.
But not yet. Not dead yet. Got to taste sweet success even when it is mixed with sweat and tears. Makes life more worth living. Rather try and fail than fail to try “and they bow and pray – to the neon god they made…”
Thang Nguyen 555 