My Life as a Coach

Published on November 5, 2007

You might have seen Sigve Brekke on TV. Dtac's CEO has achieved minor-celebrity status after his easygoing character in a few commercials caught the attention of viewers. He wears a different hat as the author of this book, a compilation of his "Quote of the Day" columns published in Krungthep Turakij's Judprakai section.

At Dtac Brekke doesn't think of himself as a CEO but as a coach. And Brekke's coaching is different from others. Rather than leading people he works with them. He's not the preaching type, believing instead that a well-chosen quote or illustration is worth a thousand words of business-speak.

He quotes everyone from John F Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, getting his message across to the reader in easy-to-absorb bite-size chunks.

We're told of the time he was invited to give a speech to 2,500 college students, but realised that if he talked business or politics they wouldn't listen. So instead he led off with some words from South Korean pop star Rain: "My motto in life is to be humble and endlessly persist and strive. I really believe that nothing is gained without effort."

Brekke continues to learn through the quotes of others, both in his life and his career. But like most successful people, he's ready to accept and learn from his mistakes. "Fail faster, succeed sooner," is another chosen quote, from David Kelly.

Satree Taew-na

Nai Prawatisat Asia

(Outstanding Women

in the History of Asia)

Edited by Dr Suwadee Charoenpong

and Dr Piyanat Bunnak

Published by Magic Production Co Ltd

Available at leading bookstores, Bt250

Who says that the history of women is confined to the kitchen? This semi-academic book tells the stories of nine females in Asia who've been central political figures. Included are Soong Ching-ling from China, Indira Gandhi from India, Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma, Sirimavo Bandaranaike from Sri Lanka and Thailand's Somdet Phra Nang Chao Saowabha Pongsir Phra Baromma Ratchini Nath.

Each of the nine chapters details the family and educational background of the woman in question and goes on to explain how they reached such heights of influence in a male-dominated sphere. While the Thai queen and Soong Ching-ling are praised as the women behind their husbands' success, individuals like Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister, and Aung San Suu Kyi, are singled out as trailblazers.

Born to a wealthy businessman in Shanghai, Soong Ching-ling was educated in the United States and despite opposition from her parents, married the "father of modern China" Sun Yat-sen in 1915. Rather than play the role of passive first lady, Soong became known for her powerful influence on China's politics. After her husband's death, she continued to be a political force before exiling herself to Moscow.

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, the first and so far only female prime minister of India, was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister. Steeped in the intense political situation of post-independence India from an early age, she joined the fray to be elected prime minister for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977, then for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

Included alongside the entries who hail from Asia are European women who arrived during the age of colonialism. We're told of how these latter bucked the trend of exploitation and contributed to their adopted countries. 

Worm boy