24 hours: Beijing Beginnings * Munich Oktoberfest * Lost in Lisbon

(9/27)After 2 days, our YGL activities had ended and we were on our 3 hour drive to Beijing airport. We arrived early enough to get a 50min massage to prepare us for the 15+ hour journey to Europe. First stop: Munich. It just happened to coincide with Oktoberfest! Can you imagine 6M liters of beer consumed in Oktoberfest 2 weeks?! We’re thrilled to have contributed our 2 pints during our short airport layover. After finally arriving in Lisbon, we realized we didn’t plan very well. To save a few euros, Lila made the decision to rent a manual car with no GPS. We quickly learned that if we decide not to get GPS in future, we should at least get maps! It turns out that the Hertz folks couldn’t tell us how to get to the Sheraton, that the city’s signs were useless, and we couldn’t even figure out how to ask the hotel for directions (by the time we called, we didn’t know where we even were). After our (very long) search, we settled for a nightcap with an incredible city view. Good thing we’re both so adventurous!

Changing the World with Our Generation

It's been a while.... so we're just skipping to end of September travel.

Our journey began with the Annual Summit of Young Global Leaders (YGLs). In ’07, Lila was elected as a YGL by the World Economic Forum. YGLs are selected on their leadership in both business and civic responsibilities, as well as their age (<= 40). During their 5-year appointment, YGLs address the issues of the coming decades with the goal of creating a better world. Each year a summit is held that brings together ~200 of the 600 YGLs worldwide, including spouses. Lila and Karl joined this year’s summit in Tianjin, China near Beijing.

The first day’s activities were aimed at giving YGLs a better introduction of China. We started with a visit to a junior high school where the YGLs were split into teams. Our group, based out of the high school TV station, got an introduction of Chinese culture (tea ceremony, calligraphy, painting, etc.) from the students. Karl even practiced some Chinese calligraphy. In fact, Karl’s student ambassador kept a close eye on him including holding his hand thru various activities. Fortunately Lila is not the jealous type! J We had interesting discussions with the students regarding their concerns for the world in the coming decade.

After the school, we were hijacked by local officials who took us to their 3D museum. This is quite common in China. You’re taken where officials want to take you – not necessarily where you WANT to go. The museum was quite unique from a technological standpoint with 3D TVs, holographs, etc. Karl was especially happy because of the highlighted 3D adult content. Our final tour destination was a panel discuss at a local facility where entrepreneurs develop start-up ideas with government support. The day ended with a YGL networking dinner at an art museum which included a short workshop on dumpling making. We failed. The good news is that it’s only a few dollars to have a meal of famous Shanghai dumplings back home.

The 2nd day focused on leadership development. We were split by region and then by business sector. Within regional discussions, Karl joined the China group, and Lila the Americans. The most interesting part was creating a fable based on the leadership traits of our business sectors – whether financial, governmental, non-profits, technology etc. In the afternoon we spent time discussing basic leadership fundamentals for our generation. The evening included a dinner and very fun nightcap catching up with everyone. We are working on a separate blog entry summarizing our learnings from the day’s discussions.

Overall, the participants were amazingly well connected and influential – whether reporters for major news agencies, Royalty, business leaders, or bankers. Everyone is out to change world – they believe they can and they are already doing it. Everyone was also really friendly. Egos were checked at the door and we were all equal regardless of title (Prince, CEO, General Manager, or Spouse). Each time a group formed, people listened and were ok with collaborative leadership. We found this especially fascinating and contrary to work environment. It became very clear that a strong leader isn’t necessarily the one with the best idea, but the one who is able to bring diverging people and ideas to a common direction.

More to follow on this topic soon…