Accomplishment of the Eeffectiveness of the World - Essay Example

1. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such (600-word limit) For me, accomplishment means effectiveness of the world-that I am able to execute my inspiration and ideas into the world and my ability to change it in positive ways. Thus, I am living testament of a change leader who is equipped with capability of directing the team by going beyond leading into efficiently managing changes. I believe that individual and organization's DNAs are their blueprint for their success and my greatest accomplishment documents how I, as a change leader spearheads victory by utilizing and transplanting my intellect, inspiration, and compassion to revive and enhance DNAs. My first accomplishment in Motorola was in transplanting the team cooperative culture into two enemy-like teams' DNA. It was a challenging interaction for me as the newly appointed leader of ## department, which is the "joint point" of R&D and marketing. In the cross-departmental meeting at Motorola, R&D and marketing were sharply divided on whether to add a feature application into a new product. R&D refused to incorporate this fearing that technology was still immature, while marketing insisted on an immediate launch of the feature to enlarge market shares and gain clients. In order draw a resolution, I identified the sharp conflicts existing in two internal cultures-the traditional technology-driven culture and the newly market-driven one. To tackle this challenge was an opportunity to rebuild a collaborative culture, which will serve for the long-range strategy of Motorola. Thus, I launched a two-pronged approach which involved closer collaboration and effective interaction. I started out by conducting brainstorming sessions which allowed the interaction of these functional areas and identify strategy strengths and weaknesses. A better and deeper understanding of each other aroused them to learn from one another and embrace mutual trust building a productive partnership. This experience tested and enriched my leadership influence in exercising the political, interpersonal, and process skills to facilitate a successful outcome to the group's work. The public sector and the private sector often pursue to operate independent from each other. However, this independence hinders each sector to reap the benefits from using strategies and know-how which will enable them to function more efficiently. Thus, my second accomplishment is in transplanting the business concept into the governmental officers' DNA. At the beginning of 2008, Pingyao badly needed to reform its tourism industry which commenced with the Ancestral Hall Tour Company. As the leader of this project, I had an immediate inspiration from the venture capital practice in the business world in order to generate financial resources. However, this has been met with disagreements from conservative public officials. Noting that my problem in not changing the system but changing my leadership style to suit the situation, I began to present the successful cases of Italy in protecting cultural heritage which eventually opened their eyes. The project has been successful and these initial accomplishments greatly worked up government officers' immense enthusiasm on integrating business skills into public administration. With this experience, I realized that change leadership goes beyond leading a team, but rewriting the DNA of the team. Lastly, I believe that my humble interaction with a poor woman enabled me to transplant hope into the her DNA. Having been touched by the story of her son who died because of poverty, I was stirred to give her a chance to improve her living condition by finding her a job which made her self-sufficient. Currently, this woman is recognized by the homeowner's association and is also passing on to others the love and hope that I have passed on to her. 2. What have you learned from a mistake (400-word limit) I value mistake as much as success because they both present opportunities to grow and mature as an individual. In my experience, mistakes are more powerful teachers because it uses pain as potent tool for liberation and enlightenment. Mistakes present us the limits of our capabilities but enable us to identify the areas where we need to grow. Foreseeing bluetooth technology's wide popularity in the subsequent five years, I co-founded a high-tech company and raised investments to explore the virgin territory in the market. Our products- wireless dish-ordering system, which would minimize the number of waiters needed by 80 percent-came out soon after the company was founded. However, we had tremendous difficulties in selling the products since very few restaurants could afford our price. Thus, the early passion for entrepreneurship in my startup team turned into frustration. Accompanied by the financial loses, pessimism prevailed in the workplace. Pursuing a turnaround, I motivated the staff to fight for success. Unfortunately, we failed to make a U-turn as bluetooth entered the Chinese market at an unprecedented rate and model products similar to ours soon appeared. Reflecting on my failure, I realized that a business did not equate to technology. We excelled in product technology development but were inexperienced in marketing. I decided to reposition our company as the software provider by using our technology advantages. My initial mistake forced me to think beyond my usual strategies. It has given an opportunity to grow as a business person by presenting me with scenarios which should be resolved to the best of my ability. Refusing to give up and determined to succeed, I search cooperation of several bluetooth technology companies. By knocking on their doors, meeting their technology directors, and making presentations to their boards, we successfully sold our software codes to one company, enabling me to repay our investor's money. Later, several large companies invited us to serve as their technology providers. Our company revived itself in the fierce market competition and has continued to make contributions to bluetooth technology today. The setbacks I encountered in this startup experience were a true test of my leadership as I had to endure setbacks while showing others the way forward. Moreover, I grew into an entrepreneur who takes the initial responsibility to bring vision to success. Furthermore, the mistake enabled me to realize my weakness in the business settings and improve in these areas. Read More