“Become a good manager & leader”

“Become a good manager & leader”
- By Steve Hwang

I walked into office at 8:25am on Monday of May 3, and started a regular work day. My admin came to my office and asked me whether I can add a 30 minutes interview schedule for a candidate. I approved the new schedule and she left a hard copy of the candidate’ resume for the interview.

The candidate was a Chinese-American who has advanced degree and applied for an engineer position. Currently, she holds a management position of 8 direct reports in a finically struggling fiber optics company. She was asked by her company to lay off 4 people from her group, and to take a demotion of becoming an individual contributor.

While talking to this candidate, I found that she was a smart, bright and very pleasant person. A question came to my mind - Why Asian, especially those who are from Taiwan and China, couldn’t hold more management positions in corporations?

There is a false but popular perception that we are good in math and science, but not suitable for management positions. From my working experience in Silicon Valley, I believe that all Taiwanese & Chinese are capable of becoming a good manager and leader. However, becoming a good manager is not born with, can’t be given; rather everyone can learn and strive for it.

How to become a good manager? I would like share the experience of mine. Please find below interview excerpts from Inside Seagate - “ Good Manager”

I hope that you can learn from my management experience, practice them on the job and become future leaders in your company and community.

Interview:

Steve Hwang
Exec. Director of Development

University of Utah, PhD in Metallurgical Engineering
Joined Seagate in 1993. Started as manager, becoming a director in 1995.

Has 30 employees on staff, including engineers from China, Taiwan, Romania, Africa, Russia, Yugoslavia, Korea, Vietnam, Philippine, and more.

On management style and philosophy:

If you want to be a good manager, you need to become a leader. The differences are between them?? If you are a manager, you use the authority the company gives you. But to be a good leader, you manage and lead not with your authority, but with your heart and by setting a good example.

It is extremely important for a good manager to have integrity and be an honest person. Other characteristics of a good manager are:
- Strong passion with what he/she is doing
- Focusing and priorizing on what he/she trying to accomplish
- Results oriented
- High energy
- Caring about his/her people.
- Being fair.

Special actions/tactics that make Steve’s team work well together:

I emphasize and want teamwork. In college I played rugby. I learned many things from rugby sport, and one of them is how to build a strong team with best teamwork.

I taught my team that you shouldn’t worry if you fail or miss the ball, just perform. Your teams will cover for you. We know in R&D that as individuals we may fail in some of our attempts, but someone will pick us up. The whole team carries it. It’s always easier as a team. Elevate the team. It’s powerful.

What do your employees seem to appreciate about you?

The feedback from my people and customers is that I am optimistic, fair and my team delivers results.

We are confronted with very difficult problems. But I articulate a positive approach, and I trust this team. I know they will deliver. And when they do, I reward them accordingly.

Through these accomplishments, it results in all of us feeling confident and comfortable.

The motto for my team is “If we succeed, we succeed together. If we fail, we fail together” and “If we work together, we will never fail”.

How did you prepare for a management position?

I grew up in Taiwan where we serve two years in the Army after graduating from college. It is a difficult transition to make, but I stepped in as a second lieutenant as I had a college degree. I built confidence there, getting an award for leading my unit in successful war simulations, and learning to stay calm under very stressful situation.

When I joined Seagate as a low level manager, I continued to apply my successful behaviors I learned in the army. I also look to people I admire like Bill Watkins, Jerry Glembocki and other executives at Seagate.

Meanwhile I read and learned management skills from books, and internal and external management trainings. So my skills come from past experience, training, reading about leadership, and by observing good examples. But, every day you have to practice. The main point is that management skills are not born with, rather you can strive for.

Do you have a “tip” on good management practices?

I feel strongly about managing diversity. And I believe that diversity is a best competitive advantage.

I go back to an important experience. My wife and I got married in Taiwan a week before coming to Utah to live in married student housing. Our first night in the cafeteria my wife could not eat or speak as she was in awe of all the colors and different kinds of people. She had only seen Asians in her lifetime. She loves it here now, and we both respect and enjoy all nationalities.

Everybody brings a different strength to the table. Respect, enjoy and understand everyone. It is what makes America so strong. So diversity makes a strong team.

On effective communication:

Since English is my second language, I don’t speak or write good English. My two daughters are better. I used to feel embarrassed with my poor English and uncomfortable to communicate in English.

But to communicate your goals and vision, you don’t need good English. You need simple language to state goals and vision, and it doesn’t take too long.

I talk with my people individually and informally. You need to communicate frequently, “How are we doing?” and “What else do we need to improve?” I need to tell them how they contribute to the larger goal and have them see how what they do makes a difference to overall Seagate’s success.

A good manager communicates frequently and let’s people fell his/her care and heart.

On character and integrity:

In both my personal and professional life, I don’t worry about office or company politics, but I worry about my people.

I want to keep focus on “right thing” instead of “popular thing”. I want to be very honest and consistent. Then I don’t have to worry about what I said to anyone. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. Sometimes people don’t like my “straight shooter” approach, but they accept me quickly because that’s the way I am.

Since I am very passion about my works, sometimes, I get very emotional. In the past couple years, I learn how to catch myself and gain control of those emotions. I believe that a good manager and leader need to have a great character and excellent integrity.

“Taiwan needs a national sport – let’s get rid of politics and play rugby??”

“Taiwan needs a national sport – let’s get rid of politics and play rugby??”

– by Steve Hwang

Like many people who are from Taiwan and live in oversea, I always keep informed of the news from Taiwan on politics, and economics and education and social events. I used to spend ~ 30 minutes daily reading news from on-line Taiwanese newspapers or 世界日報, (publish in USA).

In the weekends, I would turn in to Channel 8 (foreign language channel in San Francisco) and watch Taiwanese news. Now I rarely watch these news programs because they are so divisive and filled with political agenda.

Politics is a national sport in Taiwan! Why I say that? A public figure can call up millions of people walking on the street for a specific political campaign. An election candidate can gather hundreds of thousand supporters who shout and yell at each other ecstatically. National hero and role model are political heavy weighs and talk show commentators.

Furthermore, political figures and “名嘴” use divisive and hatred language to fuel political frenzy among fellow citizens.

During presidential or significant elections, the nation is like teenagers on drug – high, cheer or depress but don’t know why! All of these phenomena can only happen to a nation if politics is a national sport. That is very sad to see what politics can do to a beautiful place; Taiwan - Dutch explorers once called Formosa, a beautiful island.

I feel sorry for my parents and siblings when I learned that they had experienced of massive political rally but never once on sport event. But my parents and siblings are not only victims from heavy pollution of politics in Taiwan. They are many and many.

Let’s take this test and you know what I meant – how many people know the candidates of coming city mayor elections; I bet that millions of citizens in Taiwan know of election, candidates and likely go to voting booth on the election date. How many know that there was a college rugby championship game on May 1 in Tainan? How many know that two prestigious universities with great rugby tradition, Cheng-Kung and Taiwan University, competed for championship on May 1, 2010. I bet that less than 10 thousand people knew the tournament and less than few hundred people watched the game.

How pathetic it can be! What’s a shame! A national college rugby championship game, two most well known universities, played for the championship cup while many Old Bones and students cheered on the sidelines or called in from distant places. And no TV, radio and news stations showed up and broadcasted for such important sport game. And only few thousand people even care about this game.

On the contrary, I’ve known more collegiate and professional sport player’s names, including 王建民 (Yankee, National) & Kuo ( Dodgers) than names of political figures. I’ve experienced many sport events, watched these games in person and developed passion and love for the sports. I’d attended San Francisco Giant baseball game with 45 thousand sport fans, and cheered uncontrollable when they won in extra inning. I’d watched Boston Celtics basketball game – one of my favorite team, with 30 thousand fans in Boston Garden stadium.

Also I’d experience the thrill of college football game in Stanford stadium with 100 thousand fans. 100 thousand fan!! – Can 100 thousand fans sport occur in Taiwan?? Of course, it can! but only if Taiwan has a national sport. Sport offers a common language for people to communicate and share love, passion and emotion of their beloved sport teams. A sport game provides people a place to relax, enjoy the moment and be free from work and worry.

Little league baseball was the national sport for Taiwan in 1960-1970. It helped unite Taiwan. People watched and cheered for “Chinese Taipei” when Tainan Giant won little league championship in 1972. Many 4th, 5th and 6th gee Taiwanese were good in baseball and kept playing through adulthood.

Rugby is a national sport for South Africa and helped unite the nation through 南非前總統尼爾森曼德拉 Nelson Mandela’s vision- “one game, one nation”. The movie “ 打不倒的勇者“ “Invictus” and book “Playing the Enemy” by John Carlin provided strong evidence of how a national sport can turn a divisive nation to a united and strong country. (I strongly recommend that you watch the DVD of “ invictus” and read the book of “ playing the enemy” so you will appreciate what rugby sport has brought to South Africa).

By now, I hope that we all convince that Taiwan needs a national sport. But you might ask why rugby is the national sport for Taiwan??

Rugby makes strong case because it offers following successful formula.

“Rugby” = “Positive Characters + Competitiveness + Team Work” = “Success + Untied Taiwan”

They are many mottos from rugby with that we can develop positive characters, competitiveness and team work

a. Success belongs to whose team plays till last whistle blows- Regardless of score and who we play, we shall play hard throughout and until last minutes of the game.

b. We shall never quit – Regardless of how tough of the training and games are, we will never, never quit or give up.

c. Give all you’ve when you play - We will give 100% of effort every time and all the time.


d. The best rugby player is the best chance maker, not highest scorers – focus on team goal

e. One tackle, one try – Only player with ball in-hand can try and score, but every player can make tackle and prevent opponent team from scoring.

f. If life is like eating a beef noodle, then rugby is the hot pepper. Without hot pepper, beef noodle will not taste good. Rugby can enrich our life by providing us the spices and energy needed for our daily life.

g. If we don’t train harder than our teammates, then we don’t deserve to play and represent our team. Don’t take thing for grant. We’ve to earn the right to play in tournament.

h. No superstars, no special treatment to anyone in rugby team; totally respect for captain, seniors ( O.B.s), and coaches.

i. Once a rugby team member, team member forever – strong camaraderie and lasting friendship.

j. Life is like shape of a rugby ball – Rugby ball bounces irregular and unpredictable; Only those who are proactive and flexible can catch the bounces and run for the victory.

k. Rugby training provides a person with physical strength, mental toughness, and self confidence.

l. Rugby provides health that every citizen needs to live a successful and happy life.

m. Rugby is a low cost sport that everyone can afford to play – Unlike other sports, such as golf, hockey … that needs either expensive equipments, or big stadium or large playing field; rugby can play in almost any places with minimum expense.

n. Rugby is a national sport for all ages and genders – In New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, England…etc, we can see that all ages and genders enjoy the game of rugby.

o. One for all, all for one – Rugby is all about teamwork. Through the teamwork, we can unite Taiwan by tackling the hatred, disrespect and bickering out of our society.

............... and more.

I’ve listed the strong case for rugby becoming a national sport in Taiwan. I am convinced that Taiwan will become a healthy, happy, competitive and successful nation through the love and passion of rugby.

It will help citizens remove agony and anxiety of politics from their daily life. It will transform the life style of x and y generation from playing video game, surfing internet, singing karaoke, using drug, alcohol… to running, exercising, studying, serving community…

If you are still in doubt of what rugby can do to you personally and to Taiwan as a nation. Please read the following article of my personal rugby journey that I wrote for “ NCKU Rugby News” in December of 2004 – a story of how rugby training prepared me for a successful, healthy and happy life journey.

Thank you,



The Journey of a NCKU Rugby Player

– Steve ( Kuo-Hsing) Hwang, 72 gee,

Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, National Cheng-Kung University

After 20 years since my graduation, 15 hours air travel, 4 hrs car drive and 20 minutes bike ride, I found myself standing in a stadium with “H” goal posted in both side, surrounding by a murky morning fog. You can hear the chanting -“ go, go… NCKU rugby team, go, go…” from a group of rugby players.

On the dawn of Dec. 18 & 19, 2004, I am a married father who have two teenage daughters, hold a senior management position in a billons dollar USA company, played rugby with a group of 20ish college students. I was obviously struggling to do even basic trainings, such as hurry pass, cutting, or simply running. Not to mention that I painfully tried to do tackle, scrum, saving or other high difficulty skills of a rugby player.

Like my playing days during the college times, I was in a dilemma– On one hand, I asked myself - what’s the heck can this happen to me?. I did not only embarrass myself in front of junior teammates but also punish my body in a very demanding sport. After all, I was a 43 years old man and had not played rugby for last 20 years. On another hand, I enjoyed every minutes in these two days. I liked the smell of sweat, the impact of hitting earth, the camaraderie feeling among team members. The best time was, of course, the “post game chats”, with young players that just made me feel alive and young again.

During my two day stay, I was frequently asked by the junior teammates to an interesting question “Why did you decide to play rugby??” – It seemed to be a rather dumb choice for a rugby player in NCKU. We trained so hard and dedicated so much time and energy to rugby sport. In return, we received no perceptible benefit (a free pass to physical education class was only benefit I can recall).

But why so many teammates, old and young, do not only embrace challenges of being a NCKU rugby player, but also manage to be so successful in both personal and professional life. In order to search for the answer, my personal rugby journey may provide a good hint “ why we want to be a rugby player?”

Autumn of 1979 – Spring of 1980: Introduction to Rugby

My rugby journey started in 1979, a tall (182cm) and skinny (65 kg) freshman arrived in Tainan from Keelung. I was ready to embark on a personal challenge of joining a rugby team and for changing my physical state from weak to strong, but was afraid to take first step. Finally, in the second semester of my freshman, after two weeks of intensive running and training, I asked to join rugby team and became a rugby player.

Spring of 1980– Summer of 1982: Full Engagement

Soon after I joined the team, I observed that they were many unique characteristics of NCKU rugby team.

1. The teammates were not masculine at all, rather they were intelligent, smart and strong outside and inside.

2. Team was well structured and disciplined. Players followed the order given by coach, captain and senior.

3. Team had a very strong connection and supporting system (financially, emotionally, professional and personally) between O. B.s and current players

4. Team had a is great tradition – a tradition was built from the past success and dedication by many Old Bones

5. Team mottos - that used not only to improve the rugby game but also to develop personal traits for player’ personal and professional life.

These mottos were:

a. When we were tired, remember that your opponents were even more tired. Hold one more minute longer, we will be the final winner. – never quit or give up.

b. Do not reserve any energy after game because you will regret it. – always give your 100%.

c. Best player is a best chance maker and not necessarily highest scores – be a team player.

d. A good tackle equates to a try – not everyone has opportunity to score, but everyone can make a good tackle.

e. Backs score points but forwards win games and championships – only forwards and backs work together can win a championship.

f. Treat training & practice as if you played a tournament – committed to training.

g. If you don’t train harder than your teammates, then you don’t deserve to be a starter – every player has to earn the position by dedication and not by athleticism.

h. If the four years of university education was a bowl of beef noodle, rugby was the hard pepper to. Without hard pepper in a beef noodle soup, it won’t taste good – education is top priority for rugby player and rugby sport helps us have good memories for college life.

Summer of 1983 – Summer of 1985 Army Service

While most of my colleagues in Army struggled to cope with the physical demand of military service, I was comfortable to complete two years service and discharged with honors because of my strong physical and mental condition that I’d developed from 4 yrs training with NCKU rugby team.

Summer of 1985– summer of 1990 Advanced Degrees

I completed both M.S. and PH.D in four and half years from Taiwan University and University of Utah. My studying time for a Ph.D. degree in University of Utah was a record for a foreign student from Taiwan. Thanks to the high level of stamina and energy, I was able to study and did my research thesis 18 hours a day with maximum efficiency.

Summer of 1990 – 2004 work in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is the epicenter of global high tech industry. This place is known for its highly competitive environment. In order to succeed and excel in my professional career, I have to have a competitive advantage over competitors and peers. As an engineer who has “English as a second language”, I’ve to overcome the deficiency of communication and coordination skills. I found that my competitive advantage has come from perseverance, self-confidence, and high energy. I am indebted to NCKU team and rugby for giving me such wonderful traits so I can build on to a successful career path.

Up to now, you’d learned about my rugby journey. Before provide you the final answer to “Why you want to join a rugby team and become a rugby player?”

Let’s ask - What’s the purpose of four-year university education? We will all say that university education is the building block for a successful professional career and job.

In order to succeed in the 21st century, as suggested by former General Electric (G.E.) CEO, Jack Welch, person needs to have 4 E ( energy, energize others, execution, edge) and 1P ( passion). Through rugby trainings, we can develop 4E and 1P and prepare us well to face the challenge and competition globally.

NCKU rugby team is the best choice for all students to groove their positive attitude and competitiveness. NCKU rugby team is a very tough place that required lots of commitment and dedication. After all, they are only handful of people who have courage to join rugby team and enjoy once in a life time experience. Once we choose and add rugby sport to our college life, we can develop physical, mental and emotional strength for the life time.

So the answer is very clear, I openly recommend every student joining “ NCKU rugby team” as their top priority because of:

“NCKU Rugby Team” = “ Positive Characters + Competitiveness” = “Success in personal life and career”

3331, 3331, Go, Go…. NCKU RUGBY …Go, Go…

Steve (Kuo-Hsing) Hwang on the flight from Taipei to San Francisco, Dec. 20, 2004

P.S. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the junior teammates for making my stay so enjoyable. Thanks again.