Meet George Yen, DTM 認識世界總會長

Meet George Yen, DTM 認識世界總會長 - 顏瑛宗

翻譯：范明瑛 Michelle Fan

顏瑛宗，國際演講會2013-14年的世界總會長，他是一位對領導(leadership)與指導(mentoring)的藝術都極具熱忱的台灣企業領袖。
Toastmasters’ 2013–2014 International President is a business leader from Taiwan who is passionate about leadership and mentoring.

55年前，台灣創立了第一個演講會分會；2000年，台灣成立了第一個正式的區（District）。顏瑛宗先生當選國際演講會2013-14年的世界總會長，再創新紀錄：他是第一位擔任世界總會長的台灣人。
he first Toastmasters club in Taiwan was established 55 years ago—and in 2000, the country’s first district was formed. The election of George Yen as Toastmasters’ 2013–14 International President marks another milestone: He is the organization’s first International President from Taiwan.

顏瑛宗先生於2013年八月，在世界大會上當選世界總會長。他定居台北，會員資歷已有24年。他是史格亞(股)公司(Great Sequoia Corporation)的董事長；該公司專營工業用閥與接頭之管理、生產與貿易。他也是另外五家相關企業的董事長。這五家機械與工業產品生產公司都是國際級的合資公司。
Yen, who was elected at the International Convention in August, has been a member for 24 years. The Taipei resident is chairman of the board of Great Sequoia Corporation,which specializes in the management, manufacturing and trading of industrial valves and ﬁttings. He is chairman of the board of ﬁve related manufacturing companies in the ﬁelds of machinery and industrial products. The ﬁve companies are all international joint ventures.

顏瑛宗通曉四種語言，在美國賓州大學華頓商學院(Wharton School)取得國際關係碩士學位。為紀念其父，他在12年前創立朝邦文教基金會，現擔任董事長。基金會的宗旨是推動對話力，促進正向的社會改變。
Yen speaks four languages and holds a master’s degree in international relations from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He also is chairman of the CPYen Foundation, formed 12 years ago in honor of his father. The foundation’s mission is to foster the art of dialogue and facilitate positive social change.

顏瑛宗歷年來已在演講會中擔任過許多領導職務，目前會籍屬於台灣雙聲代中英雙語演講會。妻子吳咨杏為傑出會員，曾擔任總會長。女兒顏克莉亦為台灣雙聲代演講會會員，是該會的共同創始會員。
Over the years, Yen has held many leadership positions within Toastmasters. He is currently a member of Taiwan Toastmasters, a bilingual Chinese and
English club in Taipei. His wife, Jorie Wu, DTM, a past district governor, and his daughter, Keli Yen, ACS, ALB, are members of the same club, which was co-founded by Keli.
　

身為六家公司的董事會主席，您有哪些責任？
As chairman of the board of six companies, what are your responsibilities?

我負責主導公司的理念價值，它恰巧與演講會的核心價值相同，就是誠信、尊重、服務與卓越。它們是企業文化的核心，也是公司的基礎。尤其是其中四家雖然是三個不同國家(日本、加拿大和美國)的合資企業，所有的公司都分享相同的核心價值。就是這些共同的核心價值、使命和願景，讓我們結合為夥伴。
I am primarily responsible for our corporate values, which coincide with Toastmasters’ four core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence. These values are the soul of our corporate culture and the foundation on which all of our companies are built. It is worth noting that although four of the manufacturing companies are joint ventures with companies in three countries (Japan, Canada and America), our companies
all share the same values. It is the shared values, as well as the mission and vision, that brought the partners together.

您通曉四種語言，這樣的語言背景帶給你什麼啟發?
You speak four languages. What insight do you gain from that type of multilingual exposure?

語言使你了解其他人的心思和靈魂，明白他們是如何去感知和經驗這個世界。我的母語台語呈現出的世界觀，和我後來在學校學到的國語和日語所呈現的世界觀，有很大的不同。英語是我的第四種語言，它呈現出西方的世界觀。
Languages offer a view into the mind and soul of a people—of how they perceive and experience their world. My mother tongue of Taiwanese represents a different shade of worldview from that of Mandarin (Beijing dialect) and Japanese, both of which I learned in school. My fourth language, English, represents a Western worldview.

台灣145個分會中，有四分之三用英語進行例會，其他的四分之一則使用台語、國語、日語、客語，以及大部分的雙語。演講會的形式可以套入任何語言，這點十分有趣。即使文化和語言不同，人性的精神是相通的。
Among the 145 Toastmasters clubs in Taiwan, about 75 percent conduct their meetings in English; the remaining clubs are divided among Taiwanese, Mandarin,Japanese and Hakka, and a signiﬁcant number are bilingual clubs. What is interesting is the Toastmasters format works in any language. We have a common humanity despite cultural and linguistic differences.

除了演講會之外，您有什麼其他的嗜好和興趣？
Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of Toastmasters.

我會騎單車、健行或打羽球，調劑久坐辦公室的生活模式。騎單車和健行可以消除長期累積在身體和心靈中的毒素，打羽球則需要全神貫注、迅速反應。這些活動都有助於提神醒腦。
To balance my sedentary activities, I bike, hike and play badminton. Biking and hiking rid the body and mind of toxins that accumulate over time. Badminton requires total focus and split-second responses. These three activities help to clear the mind.

我最得意的是完成了台灣的四大挑戰：騎單車環島(九天)、登玉山(海拔3,952公尺，為北迴歸線最高點)、爬台北101大樓(2006年完成，當時台北101是世界最高的大樓)、泳渡日月潭(3.5公里，相當於2.2英哩)。1992年我和太太去渡蜜月時，還爬了婆羅洲的神山(東南亞最高峰之一，海拔4,095公尺)。
My claim to fame is achieving the Quadruple Challenges of Taiwan: biking around Taiwan (nine days); climbing Jade Mountain (the highest point on the Tropic of Cancer at 3,952 meters [12,966 feet]); climbing the stairs of the Taipei 101 building (in 2006, the tallest building in the world); and swimming the Sun Moon Lake (3.5 kilometers [2.2 miles]). For our honeymoon in 1992, Jorie and I climbed Mount Kinabalu in Borneo (one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters [13,435 feet]).

您何時加入演講會？為何加入演講會？
When and why did you join Toastmasters?

我在美國住了24年之後，1989年回到台灣，加入演講會。當時我處於人生的谷底：離了婚、沒有工作、沒有朋友。演講會幫助我重建自信、結交朋友，在台灣展開新生活。
I joined Toastmasters in 1989 when I returned to Taiwan after 24 years in the United States. It was the lowest point in my life. I was divorced, unemployed and without friends. Toastmasters helped me rebuild my confidence, make friends and start a new life in Taiwan.

經由在演講會中的演說、講評和聆聽，我得以分享、省思我的生活。借用聯合國教科文組織1996年的出版品《學習：心中的寶藏》所言，演講會活動是「學習了解、學習執行、學習生活、學習改變、學習共存」的絕佳方式。
Through the Toastmasters speaking, evaluation and listening programs, I was able to articulate and reﬂect on my life. To borrow phrasing from UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization) 1996 publication Learning: The Treasure Within: Toastmasters’ program is a great way for “Learning to Know; Learning to Do; Learning to Be; Learning to Change; and Learning to Live Together.”

你最喜歡演講會的哪一個面向？
What aspect of Toastmasters do you like best?

人們如果遺世獨立，自我隔離，就無法學習、進步。演講會就和人生一樣，是要親身體驗，從做中學。我們透過觀察學習、成長，在與他人的互動中發展自我省察的能力。演講會是個「練習場」，就像是個人成長的「道場」，這是我最喜歡的一點。
We cannot learn and improve in a vacuum. Toastmasters, like life itself, is experiential—it’s learning by doing. We learn and grow by observing and being self-aware in our interactions with one another. Therefore, what I appreciate most about Toastmasters is that it is a “practice field,”
or “dao chang,” for personal growth.

演講會對你的職涯有什麼幫助？
How has Toastmasters helped you in your professional life?

我從演講會獲益最大的有兩點。第一，演講會讓我能更簡潔地思考與表達，這對我身為企業領導人而言，是非常有用的工具。第二，演講會的核心價值，即誠信、尊重、服務與卓越，成為我的企業哲學，是和日本、加拿大、美國公司合資的基礎，也在克服難關時將我們緊緊相連。
Toastmasters has helped me in two fundamental ways. First, it has improved my ability to think and speak succinctly, which is an essential tool in my role as a business leader. Secondly, the Toastmasters values of integrity, respect for others, service and excellence formed the cornerstone of my business philosophy. These values provide the foundation for my joint ventures with Japanese, Canadian and American companies and the glue that holds us together as we overcome challenges.

今年三月，中華民國外交部表揚您透過演講會，在「國際交流與全民外交」上的貢獻。請說明演講會在台灣的運作與名聲。
In March this year, you were honored by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your contribution to “international
exchange and people-to-people diplomacy” through Toastmasters. Tell us about Toastmasters in Taiwan and the organization’s reputation there.

演講會在台灣的開端，歸功於前世界總會長Bennie Bough, DTM。1958年時他只是個年輕的美國海軍士兵，隨部隊駐守在台北，卻創立了台北分會(Taipei Toastmasters)。現任的中華民國外交部長林永樂，後來也成為該分會的會員。1958年的開端，後來發展成一個擁有145個分會的區。2000年，台灣在我太太吳咨杏擔任總會長時，成為一個正式的區（District），國際演講會也從此在台灣更有能見度，特別是在外交部，我們也成立了一個分會。希望在台灣出了一位世界總會長之後，能讓國際演講會在這裡更具知名度。
The seed of Toastmasters was planted in Taiwan by Past International President Bennie Bough, DTM, in 1958. He founded the Taipei Toastmasters club as a young U.S. Navy sailor stationed in the city. That club later had Taiwan’s current Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Lin, as a member. The seed has grown to a district of 145 clubs. Since Taiwan became a district in 2000 (when my wife, Jorie Wu, was district governor), Toastmasters’ proﬁle has become more visible in Taiwan, especially with a club at Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hopefully, Toastmasters will gain even greater exposure in this country by having an International President from Taiwan.

對於首次擔任領導職的新手，您會給他們什麼建議？
What advice would you give to someone serving as a leader for the ﬁrst time?

善用這個機會來學習，努力實踐領導的藝術。要注意隨著領袖身分而來的自我本位心態，保持謙卑才是成功之道。最重要的是要能超越自我，覺察自身的作為。
Use the opportunity to learn and practice the art of leadership. Be wary of the ego trap that comes with the role; humility is a key to your success. Above all, be able to rise above the self and observe your actions.

您推崇哪幾位領袖？原因為何？
Who are some leaders you admire and why?

我要說的這兩位領袖各來自東方和西方，兩者年代相差2500年之久。其中之一是道家哲學創始人老子，大力提倡簡約單純、無欲無我。另一位則是亞伯拉罕‧林肯，堅毅的人格使他克服一連串的失敗與人生逆境，成為受人敬重的美國總統。
I would name two, one from the East and one from the West, and separated by 2,500 years. Lao-tse, the founder of the Chinese Taoist philosophy, espoused the values of simplicity and selflessness. I also admire Abraham Lincoln for his strength of character in overcoming a series of failures and life adversities to become such a respected American president.

您想在演講會中擔任領袖並成為世界總會長的動機是什麼？
What motivated you to seek leadership positions in Toastmasters and run for the office of International President?

愛因斯坦曾說：「我並非天賦異稟，只是天生好奇罷了」。我也很好奇，想知道演講會能教我什麼，所以就從首次擔任分區總監一直做到現在。2006年當選世界理事，使我眼界大開，見識到超越67區和台灣以外的演講會全球大家庭。擔任理事的兩年期間，我目睹絕佳的組織治理模式，還把這種模式移植到自己公司的董事會。這個機會恰巧與我的生涯規劃吻合──我正準備投身非營利組織事業。
To echo Albert Einstein: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” I am passionately curious about what Toastmasters can teach me. After I started my first district leadership role as area governor, I never looked back. Being elected an international director in 2006 opened my eyes to the exciting global family that is Toastmasters (beyond District 67 on the island of Taiwan). In those two years as director, I witnessed an excellent model of organizational governance, which I emulated in my own corporate boards. The opportunity to serve coincided with a time in my life when I was ready to get involved in nonprofit organizations.

您即將成為第一位來自台灣的世界總會長。這對您和台灣的演講會有什麼意義？
You will be the ﬁrst International President from Taiwan. What does that mean to you and to Toastmasters in your country?

擔任世界總會長，對我和台灣的演講會都是莫大的榮幸。台灣並不是聯合國的會員國，因此像演講會這種非政府組織在全民外交上的成就，讓這份榮幸更別具意義。當政府無法扮演某些角色時，人民就應該來填補這個空缺。
To be the International President is a tremendous honor for me and for Toastmasters in Taiwan. This honor is magnified by the fact that Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, and as such, NGOs (nongovernment organizations) such as Toastmasters International, and people-to-people diplomacy, take on a greater significance. When governments cannot perform certain roles, it is up to the people to fill in the gaps.

您如何在工作和世界總會長的責任間取得平衡？
How do you balance your job with your responsibilities as an international leader for our organization?

管理和領導的重點就是打造團隊、授權幹部。我很自豪在過去20年中，已經在六間公司都建立了自我管理的團隊。公司運作如常時，我主要的挑戰反而是讓自己不要礙事。因此演講會成為我投注多餘時間和精力的絕佳場域。身為公司的CEO，我主要為營收獲利負責，工作的重點是擬定策略與方針。其他日常工作，我很樂意放手讓別人掌管。因此我衡量成功的標準，就是看我有多少時間可以貢獻給演講會。
The heart of management and leadership is team building and empowering others. I am proud to say that over the past two decades, I have built self-managing teams in each of my six operating companies. When things are going well, my main challenge is to get out of my team’s way,and so Toastmasters is a wonderful way to divert my surplus time and energy. As CEO of these companies, I am mainly responsible for the bottom line; my primary focus is on strategic and policy matters. I am happy to leave the day-to-day operations to others. Therefore, a measure of success for me is how much free time I have to devote to Toastmasters.

您的太太和女兒也都是演講會會員，您認為這一點有什麼益處？
What do you enjoy about having your wife and daughter as fellow Toastmasters?

全家三人共同投入，讓我們在演講會有三倍的成長，也更強化家人間的羈絆。咨杏和克莉學習對話與輔助他人的過程，大大充實一家人在生活中與演講會的共同學習。
This family avocation triples our learning in Toastmasters, and gives us additional glue to bind our family together. Jorie and Keli, as students of dialogue and facilitation [key aspects of the CPYen Foundation’s mission], greatly enrich our group learning as a family both in and outside of Toastmasters.

您在任期中想達成什麼目標？
What are your goals for your year in office?

留住會員是國際演講會極需努力的區塊。從2009年起，會員續會率從60%降到57%。任何組織都有可能發生某種程度的人員流動，但這樣的下滑趨勢依然值得注意。幸好我們可以直接從分會著手解決問題。近期的研究顯示，如果分會有正式、井井有條的輔導系統，就能提升會員的滿意度。我們要鼓勵全球每一個分會建立系統，持續替新會員指派輔導員，並確保會員在分會中不斷獲得指引。
An area of great opportunity for our organization is member retention. Since 2009, we’ve slipped from about 60 percent retention to 57 percent. While a certain level of attrition is expected for any organization, it nevertheless merits attention. Fortunately, we can address this directly at the club level. Recent research shows us that member satisfaction is greater when clubs have formal, organized mentoring programs. Let’s encourage
every Toastmasters club in the world to establish an ongoing program that assigns a mentor to each new member—and then ensures that the member receives ongoing mentoring throughout his or her membership.
　

我們的口號「領袖的搖籃」，來源就是輔導員系統，因為透過幫助別人，輔導員會逐漸成為領袖。我相信只要所有會員一起努力，建立更強健的導師文化，一定能在一年之內讓會員回流率升回60%。
Mentoring directly supports our tagline, Where Leaders Are Made, because mentors grow as leaders when helping others. I believe we can return to 60 percent retention within one year if all of us, around the world, work together to establish a stronger culture of mentoring.

您想對所有的演講會會員說什麼？
If you had one piece of advice for every Toastmaster, what would it be?

堅持下去！學習溝通和領導，就像學習運動技能或研修武術功夫一樣，要持續地刻苦勤練。假以時日，你的堅持不懈一定會有所回報。
Stick with it! Learning about communication and leadership is a lot like exercise or learning a martial art such as kung fu. It takes consistent, diligent practice, and over time you will be rewarded for your persistence.