Who they are
Global Career Advisor at Wharton School. Founder and mentor of Toastmasters in China.
What they do
Sam is a people person and I have learned a lot from him on how to work through and with people to get things done. He has a great ability to build deep bonds with people and this was reflected in a recent Toastmasters meeting - Sam’s last before he returns to Philadelphia to work at the Wharton School as a Global Career Advisor after over 11 years in China. People said some nice things about Sam. Memorable phrases included:
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Pioneer of pioneers
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Empathy with people
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Beyond selfish
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Supportive
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Give and take
- Transformational leader
You can see the picture that is building. Honestly I don’t think that anyone Sam has met in the time he has been in China (and probably before) would have a bad word to say about him. He has an emotional intelligence that is off the charts and I admire his ability to face people problems in such a calm and constructive way.
What turning point was for me after knowing them
I met Sam in a Toastmasters club in Shanghai in 2002. Sam had a vision for growing Toastmasters in China. You can read his vision “The Shanghai expansion”here. Sam is a very giving and socially minded person and he saw Toastmasters as a vehicle to make some positive change in China. He certainly tapped into a need. Today there are over 70 clubs in China with thousands of members. Sam was the first person who saw the possibilities ahead. Up until 2003 there were only three or four clubs throughout China which had been founded in 1999. So four years of no growth. Together with Sam, we decided to set up a club which would be a benchmark club for Shanghai and fuel the growth towards 20 clubs in Shanghai within 5 years. At the time no one thought this was possible, but we reached our goal one year early.
Why grateful
Firstly, for allowing me the chance to grow as a person by serving others. I have become a much more rounded person with better communication and leadership skills through knowing and being guided by Sam. I was the founding Chairman for Toastmasters in China so tend to get more visibility and attract monikers like “the godfather of Toastmasters in China”. I was also recognized by Toastmasters International with a Hall of Fame Presidential citation. While all that is nice, I am still very grateful for the door that Sam opened for me in 2003. Together we made a good team and the time we worked together - especially to get the first one or two clubs off the ground - is a very special memory for me. And I should add that through this I met my wife. What more can I say, “Thanks Sam!”.