Maintain a 'balanced deep respect'

Thai people are taught the true meaning of "deep respect" from the time they are born - so much so that it has become a national characteristic. Perhaps it can be called an Asian characteristic, because the trait is shared with our Asian neighbours. But it cannot be said to be a common trait in Western or European cultures.

It is most important to practise the concept of deep respect when the time arrives for a new beginning.

I was taught the benefits of behaving with deep respect to all those around me and this has been a key to my success, all of my life.

When I was a boy, part of the lessons given by my parents was when they told me to do my chores. I had to do my duties without question, and only ask for help from others when it was certainly impossible to complete my tasks otherwise. This taught me not give up and to solve problems by myself. The words "cannot do" and "impossible" are not in my vocabulary.

There are several advantages for those who practise deep respect. But if we give too much respect, or are over-considerate, it can have a negative effect, especially in a work or business environment.

Each of us must accept, no matter who we are, that we cannot do everything by ourselves. Most, if not every success we achieve in business, involves other people as an important element in achieving of our goals. A person working on his own will not succeed in the greatest challenges, so people who want to accomplish great goals must motivate and inspire others to believe in the same objectives. Workers are not mere followers or machines that follow your orders, they need to be inspired to work wholeheartedly.

When I started out in business, after graduating with a bachelor's degree from Taiwan, I set-up an office under the name "V&K Enterprise" with Bt250,000 that I borrowed from my mother and cousin Tui, paying 3-per-cent interest per month. These days, I ponder whether I would be where I am today, had I not practised the concept of deep respect, and had I asked too much, too often from others, and not done it myself.

As well as that loan, I used the home of my Aunty Heing - who seemed like a second mother to me - as my residence and office, before moving to a tenement house at Sukhumvit Soi 20. It is always important to be humble and accept some help, but never to take too much, or it will affect your self-reliance.

These examples of deep respect are taken from the early part of my "Be a Better Man" business-version pocketbook, demonstrating that we should not ask others for unreasonable help, especially at the beginning of an enterprise, as the short-term benefits will become personal disadvantages in the long term. Self-help is still the best idea.

When a business has become established, the management style should include the concepts of "balance" and "just enough" as necessary components for maintaining success. Some managers are unsuccessful because they do not know how to solve problems by themselves, so they cannot overcome obstacles.

Do not forget that management needs both knowledge and sagacity, so the job will be successful.

My advice is to maintain "balanced deep respect" as a sure way to success.

The above is an excerpt from the pocket book "Be a Better Man" (business version). For more information, visit www.vikrom.net or contact Vikrom Kromadit at vikrom@vikrom.net.