Hi! Managers: Wind beneath my wings

After returning from his post-graduate education (under the King's scholarship) in the UK in 1961, he became a professor at Chulalongkorn University, where he later held a number of positions, including dean of the Faculty of Science, deputy rector of the university, director of the Petroleum and Petrochemical College and director of the Language Institute. He has also served as president of the Science Association of Thailand.

In meeting his various responsibilities, he has demonstrated many of the characteristics of successful leaders.

He maintains his commitment to principles and applies them wisely and with sensitivity. One of his strengths is sharing and discussion. He gives everyone an opportunity to voice their opinion and be a part of the decision-making process. Then he makes sure that he listens to all opinions. At the end, he makes clear decisions and chooses appropriate actions. In this way, he can be sure of having the support of the team involved in the decision-making process.

I have experienced this for myself. When I was young he used to pick me up from school. He always had an interesting story to tell, about what had happened during the day. Sometimes it was about a difficult meeting; sometimes a problem that hadn't yet been resolved. He always asked what I would do if I were him, and he listened to me carefully and never prejudged my opinion because it was coming from a 10-year-old child. Then he would give me feedback on my opinions. The fun part was finding out whether my answers were the same as his, and I was sometimes left without a clue. But I learned from him.

For me, a good leader must make sacrifices. While some sacrifice their time, my father's sacrifice has always been thinking about others before himself. Over the years, I have seen many people come to him for advice, and even when dealing with the most difficult issues, he manages to find solutions that provide the best results. This sincerity and thoughtfulness built up trust and good relationships with all of his colleagues, subordinates and his team, and I believe this trust and respect continues today.

Last but not least is his loyalty and gratitude to his country and to His Majesty the King. He always reminded me that we could not really imagine how hard our King had worked and dedicated himself to the Thai people. As a civil servant, my father had many opportunities to see how our beloved King cared for his people. For the last 24 years, as a dean of Chulalongkorn University's Science Faculty, my father had to read the names of all science students who graduated in front of His Majesty the King. One year, while my father was reading the names of students as the graduates lined up to receive their certificates, the power went out for 10 minutes and three students received their diplomas in the dark. After the power was restored, His Majesty asked those three to come around again, "otherwise they will not have their pictures with me." Although this may seem to be small stuff, our King realised how important it was for those three students to return home with their photographs of the moment they received their diplomas from him.

I have enjoyed sharing with you my thoughts about my father, the greatest man in my life and the real wind beneath my wings. With Father's Day only a few days away, I will send my best wishes in advance. I love you, Dad.

Pratana Mongkolkul is group chief financial officer at Minor International. Follow her articles in Hi! Managers on the fourth Wednesday of each month.