Christine Yang Cramer, Annette Burrhus-Clay and Amy Wong Mok
April 24, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
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For Amy Wong Mok, it was a professor who brought out the leader in her. She describes her self as a “meek Chinese girl” who came to the United States from Hong Kong in 1975.
“I never spoke up in class because [that’s how we were raised in China],” Mok said. “My first mentor was a Jewish woman. Dr. Barbara Schram. She said, ‘Your experience is just as important as everyone in this class. Without your participation this class will not be the same.’ … The rest is history. I haven’t stopped talking!”
Mok continued, “She was not talking about knowledge. Everyone has their own unique experience. She empowered me to contribute and maybe it will touch somebody’s life. From that day on, I learned to have my voice.”
Mok shared her insight as the keynote speaker at the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) annual conference held in Austin on March 10. As president of TAASA from 1996 to 1998, Mok was responsible for transforming the organization from an all-volunteer organization to one with four paid staff positions.
During her keynote speech, Mok spoke on leadership, calling for seasoned leaders to become mentors. She advocated for the creation of a leadership institute for TAASA to help pass along knowledge and experience to future leaders.
The idea of a leadership institute is something TAASA executive director Annette Burrhus-Clay and Mok have discussed together. It’s important to hang on to the good people involved with the organization, help them develop their skills and keep them from burning out.
“There’s a real concern when we leave if we have not paved the way there will be a leadership void,” Burrhus-Clay said. “[The job involves] high stress, and it’s not that well paid. It’s a timely message.”
Mok, who is CEO and founder of the Asian American Cultural Center, has also been active within the Asian community here in Austin to develop future leaders.
Asian Austin presents an excerpt from Amy Wong Mok’s speech:
“Human resources will be a very important thing in the 21st century. TAASA is working to create a safer world for all of us. It is crucial because we are doing something big here. When we want to accomplish greatness, it takes more then one generation, or two or three or four. Our goal has to be that big, that broad and that long.
Message to leaders:
· Think about growth of the whole person. It’s about character.
· Present information in a way that makes sense.
· Exercise tough love for the good of your mentee.
· There is a difference between controlling and in control. It is hard to do.
Five things to observe:
1. Does this person have a vision beyond their self-interest? A community vision, not just about my job. It ties to their integrity. You have to have a comfort level on how he or she will choose.
2. Commitment. Are they willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done? Even if it is picking up a piece of paper on the floor, or not because “it’s not my job.”
3. Discipline. Do they have the discipline to pay attention to detail?
4. Generosity. Does this person have the generosity to share the credit? For example, a sorority rented space at the Asian American Cultural Center. The sorority members damaged cooking pots. The sorority leader took responsibility by saying that she failed to give a thorough orientation and said the sorority will raise the money to replace the pots.
“It is time to learn and give back. This is how you will become immortal and live on. I am really grateful to have TAASA.
One audience member asked, “how do you become better (to be a worthy mentee)?” Mok replied, “It is about mindfulness. It is something you do in your daily life. It is a daily exercise. How do you walk? How do you dress? Paying attention to detail will separate you from being “just good enough.”
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