thanks very much and I appreciate the invitation to speak at the TEDx here in
invitation to speak at the TEDx here in
invitation to speak at the TEDx here in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai I appreciate Frank and Fred’s hard
I appreciate Frank and Fred’s hard
I appreciate Frank and Fred’s hard efforts to put this together I was
efforts to put this together I was
efforts to put this together I was thinking as I was listening to the
thinking as I was listening to the
thinking as I was listening to the previous speakers that there must be a
previous speakers that there must be a
previous speakers that there must be a real benefit to following three dynamic
real benefit to following three dynamic
real benefit to following three dynamic original extraordinary speakers and
original extraordinary speakers and
original extraordinary speakers and presentations but I can’t think of a
presentations but I can’t think of a
presentations but I can’t think of a single thing it’s tough to follow such
single thing it’s tough to follow such
single thing it’s tough to follow such wonderful speakers but today I would
wonderful speakers but today I would
wonderful speakers but today I would like to talk to you a little bit about
like to talk to you a little bit about
like to talk to you a little bit about encounters through a leadership lens you
encounters through a leadership lens you
encounters through a leadership lens you know I’ve never really been intrigued by
know I’ve never really been intrigued by
know I’ve never really been intrigued by the age-old question of whether leaders
the age-old question of whether leaders
the age-old question of whether leaders are made or born but I have been in
are made or born but I have been in
are made or born but I have been in recent years become very curious about
recent years become very curious about
recent years become very curious about how people start to understand what
how people start to understand what
how people start to understand what leadership is now I should give you a
leadership is now I should give you a
leadership is now I should give you a context first context is everything
context first context is everything
context first context is everything as Robert F Kennedy once said his views
as Robert F Kennedy once said his views
as Robert F Kennedy once said his views on birth control were distorted by the
on birth control were distorted by the
on birth control were distorted by the fact that he was the seventh of nine
fact that he was the seventh of nine
fact that he was the seventh of nine children and my distortion is that I
children and my distortion is that I
children and my distortion is that I have been teaching leadership to NYU
have been teaching leadership to NYU
have been teaching leadership to NYU students for more than 15 years and
students for more than 15 years and
students for more than 15 years and almost every year questions come up like
almost every year questions come up like
almost every year questions come up like why are some people so skilled at
why are some people so skilled at
why are some people so skilled at leadership why and how and when did they
leadership why and how and when did they
leadership why and how and when did they learn it so I think it might be useful
learn it so I think it might be useful
learn it so I think it might be useful to pursue these questions and find
to pursue these questions and find
to pursue these questions and find answers because there is such a crying
answers because there is such a crying
answers because there is such a crying need today for more and better leaders
need today for more and better leaders
need today for more and better leaders to me encounters through a leadership
to me encounters through a leadership
to me encounters through a leadership lens happens to us in different phases
lens happens to us in different phases
lens happens to us in different phases of our life which I divided up into
of our life which I divided up into
of our life which I divided up into three growth change and legacy the
three growth change and legacy the
three growth change and legacy the growth phase
okay the growth phase is when you really
okay the growth phase is when you really don’t have very much control yeah you
don’t have very much control yeah you
don’t have very much control yeah you don’t control when you’re born where
don’t control when you’re born where
don’t control when you’re born where you’re born what your family’s like what
you’re born what your family’s like what
you’re born what your family’s like what your neighborhoods like or what school
your neighborhoods like or what school
your neighborhoods like or what school you go to
you go to
you go to but you receive thousands of inputs from
but you receive thousands of inputs from
but you receive thousands of inputs from family friends teachers from social and
family friends teachers from social and
family friends teachers from social and other media from technologies and from
other media from technologies and from
other media from technologies and from all sorts of other externalities
all sorts of other externalities
all sorts of other externalities sometimes during this early phase of
sometimes during this early phase of
sometimes during this early phase of your life you develop some strong
your life you develop some strong
your life you develop some strong interests sometimes even deep passions
interests sometimes even deep passions
interests sometimes even deep passions but others must just just drift through
but others must just just drift through
but others must just just drift through without that clarity and we are
without that clarity and we are
without that clarity and we are remaining open to all possibilities and
remaining open to all possibilities and
remaining open to all possibilities and have very few filters but we do start to
have very few filters but we do start to
have very few filters but we do start to think at that early phase about what
think at that early phase about what
think at that early phase about what leaders do there are examples we see
leaders do there are examples we see
leaders do there are examples we see from different settings for example
from different settings for example
from different settings for example there’s always the kid on the playground
there’s always the kid on the playground
there’s always the kid on the playground to whom all other children naturally
to whom all other children naturally
to whom all other children naturally gravitate and automatically trust there
gravitate and automatically trust there
gravitate and automatically trust there are captain’s over the football teams
are captain’s over the football teams
are captain’s over the football teams there are people who are student council
there are people who are student council
there are people who are student council presidents or they are the leaders who
presidents or they are the leaders who
presidents or they are the leaders who win all the prizes and awards we may
win all the prizes and awards we may
win all the prizes and awards we may wonder how they do it we may sometimes
wonder how they do it we may sometimes
wonder how they do it we may sometimes question their choices but we do notice
question their choices but we do notice
question their choices but we do notice a few things about them they have more
a few things about them they have more
a few things about them they have more responsibilities and generally more
responsibilities and generally more
responsibilities and generally more respect than others they may work a
respect than others they may work a
respect than others they may work a little harder than others and they
little harder than others and they
little harder than others and they sometimes get blamed when things don’t
sometimes get blamed when things don’t
sometimes get blamed when things don’t go well now my first encounter with a
go well now my first encounter with a
go well now my first encounter with a leader was my own father Paul and you he
leader was my own father Paul and you he
leader was my own father Paul and you he married my mother they were both doctors
married my mother they were both doctors
married my mother they were both doctors here at Shanghai and they went to
here at Shanghai and they went to
here at Shanghai and they went to America for a different than better life
America for a different than better life
America for a different than better life they hoped this is their what I could
they hoped this is their what I could
they hoped this is their what I could get there it’s their wedding picture a
get there it’s their wedding picture a
get there it’s their wedding picture a little bit faint but they were married
little bit faint but they were married
little bit faint but they were married here in China and they decided to
here in China and they decided to
here in China and they decided to emigrate because they were both trained
emigrate because they were both trained
emigrate because they were both trained in Western medicine and thought they
in Western medicine and thought they
in Western medicine and thought they could practice a little bit more
could practice a little bit more
could practice a little bit more actively in the US my father had an
actively in the US my father had an
actively in the US my father had an impeccable reputation he was of high
impeccable reputation he was of high
impeccable reputation he was of high character and integrity and he taught me
character and integrity and he taught me
character and integrity and he taught me a lot including ethics and morals and
a lot including ethics and morals and
a lot including ethics and morals and how to deal with bias and Prejudice
how to deal with bias and Prejudice
how to deal with bias and Prejudice because they were immigrants to the
because they were immigrants to the
because they were immigrants to the United States and he despite his in my
United States and he despite his in my
United States and he despite his in my mom’s education and medical training had
mom’s education and medical training had
mom’s education and medical training had to experience the humiliation of going
to experience the humiliation of going
to experience the humiliation of going around the neighborhood in which they
around the neighborhood in which they
around the neighborhood in which they hope to live and ask for permission to
hope to live and ask for permission to
hope to live and ask for permission to move in because it was a restricted
move in because it was a restricted
move in because it was a restricted they weren’t white they persevered they
they weren’t white they persevered they
they weren’t white they persevered they managed to build their home raise their
managed to build their home raise their
managed to build their home raise their family my father persisted in his career
family my father persisted in his career
family my father persisted in his career as a cardiologist and rose to the top he
as a cardiologist and rose to the top he
as a cardiologist and rose to the top he became the first foreign-born for an
became the first foreign-born for an
became the first foreign-born for an educated president of the American Heart
educated president of the American Heart
educated president of the American Heart Association this is him with President
Association this is him with President
Association this is him with President Nixon he was just an extraordinary
Nixon he was just an extraordinary
Nixon he was just an extraordinary person as I said in every way and after
person as I said in every way and after
person as I said in every way and after he passed away he became the his name is
he passed away he became the his name is
he passed away he became the his name is now on the University of Rochester
now on the University of Rochester
now on the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Heart Center there’s a
Medical Center’s Heart Center there’s a
Medical Center’s Heart Center there’s a picture of us cutting the ribbon an
picture of us cutting the ribbon an
picture of us cutting the ribbon an amazing role model but my mother was no
amazing role model but my mother was no
amazing role model but my mother was no slouch either
slouch either
slouch either she was a clinical pediatrician raising
she was a clinical pediatrician raising
she was a clinical pediatrician raising four daughters in upstate New York in
four daughters in upstate New York in
four daughters in upstate New York in the 1960s and 70s which was almost
the 1960s and 70s which was almost
the 1960s and 70s which was almost unheard of I have to confess I know
unheard of I have to confess I know
unheard of I have to confess I know embarrassed to say this but I wasn’t
embarrassed to say this but I wasn’t
embarrassed to say this but I wasn’t always supportive of her career choice
always supportive of her career choice
always supportive of her career choice because I wanted her sometimes to be
because I wanted her sometimes to be
because I wanted her sometimes to be home baking cookies like my other
home baking cookies like my other
home baking cookies like my other friend’s mother’s were at the time so I
friend’s mother’s were at the time so I
friend’s mother’s were at the time so I wasn’t exactly a feminist in my early
wasn’t exactly a feminist in my early
wasn’t exactly a feminist in my early days but from her I’ve learned about
days but from her I’ve learned about
days but from her I’ve learned about stamina time management about
stamina time management about
stamina time management about determination and not sitting still just
determination and not sitting still just
determination and not sitting still just because we were short asian women she
because we were short asian women she
because we were short asian women she was very determined and she often gave
was very determined and she often gave
was very determined and she often gave very very crisp advice for example to my
very very crisp advice for example to my
very very crisp advice for example to my husband and me she often said don’t buy
husband and me she often said don’t buy
husband and me she often said don’t buy dinner buy stock she was a very big
dinner buy stock she was a very big
dinner buy stock she was a very big person in terms of the investment she
person in terms of the investment she
person in terms of the investment she liked to do that and on real estate she
liked to do that and on real estate she
liked to do that and on real estate she gave us advice always by the corner
gave us advice always by the corner
gave us advice always by the corner house you get more light or if we were a
house you get more light or if we were a
house you get more light or if we were a nun partment building go for the top
nun partment building go for the top
nun partment building go for the top floor you get the best view she was
floor you get the best view she was
floor you get the best view she was always strategic and that was some part
always strategic and that was some part
always strategic and that was some part of her pioneering spirit that she passed
of her pioneering spirit that she passed
of her pioneering spirit that she passed on to me now I followed their
on to me now I followed their
on to me now I followed their inspirational examples and chose student
inspirational examples and chose student
inspirational examples and chose student council as my first leadership activity
council as my first leadership activity
council as my first leadership activity back in junior high I loved the
back in junior high I loved the
back in junior high I loved the collective action I loved working
collective action I loved working
collective action I loved working together with people to get things done
together with people to get things done
together with people to get things done and I understood that actually was the
and I understood that actually was the
and I understood that actually was the essence of leadership getting things
essence of leadership getting things
essence of leadership getting things done some of my friends chose other
done some of my friends chose other
done some of my friends chose other routes like athletic
routes like athletic
routes like athletic music art drama community service as
music art drama community service as
music art drama community service as their a form of leadership and still
their a form of leadership and still
their a form of leadership and still others were terribly interested at the
others were terribly interested at the
others were terribly interested at the time but all told the whole experience
time but all told the whole experience
time but all told the whole experience of being in high school and having these
of being in high school and having these
of being in high school and having these kinds of adventures and encounters maybe
kinds of adventures and encounters maybe
kinds of adventures and encounters maybe understand that leadership was something
understand that leadership was something
understand that leadership was something critical and I’m so happy that I
critical and I’m so happy that I
critical and I’m so happy that I personally got an early start in it
personally got an early start in it
personally got an early start in it because I learned a lot of lessons that
because I learned a lot of lessons that
because I learned a lot of lessons that have carried me well throughout so oops
have carried me well throughout so oops
have carried me well throughout so oops sorry this is my mother I don’t know if
sorry this is my mother I don’t know if
sorry this is my mother I don’t know if you can guess how old she was at the
you can guess how old she was at the
you can guess how old she was at the time but this is a kind of energy that I
time but this is a kind of energy that I
time but this is a kind of energy that I got from my parents she’s 95 in this
got from my parents she’s 95 in this
got from my parents she’s 95 in this picture so that’s the growth phase very
picture so that’s the growth phase very
picture so that’s the growth phase very early on the next phase I’d like to talk
early on the next phase I’d like to talk
early on the next phase I’d like to talk about is change change this is the time
about is change change this is the time
about is change change this is the time usually you’re a young adult I hope
usually you’re a young adult I hope
usually you’re a young adult I hope you’re a young adult at the time you
you’re a young adult at the time you
you’re a young adult at the time you decide you want to take more charge of
decide you want to take more charge of
decide you want to take more charge of your life you can make your own
your life you can make your own
your life you can make your own decisions you want to be independent you
decisions you want to be independent you
decisions you want to be independent you want freedom to operate and in this
want freedom to operate and in this
want freedom to operate and in this phase you discover many of your game
phase you discover many of your game
phase you discover many of your game aims and goals in life you can’t do on
aims and goals in life you can’t do on
aims and goals in life you can’t do on your own you need help and if you’re
your own you need help and if you’re
your own you need help and if you’re smart and you’re fortunate you’ll find
smart and you’re fortunate you’ll find
smart and you’re fortunate you’ll find mentors and guides and champions for you
mentors and guides and champions for you
mentors and guides and champions for you they will give you advice they’ll guide
they will give you advice they’ll guide
they will give you advice they’ll guide you and most importantly they’ll
you and most importantly they’ll
you and most importantly they’ll critique you they’ll give you feedback I
critique you they’ll give you feedback I
critique you they’ll give you feedback I am forever indebted to some of my
am forever indebted to some of my
am forever indebted to some of my Oberlin College professors who gave me
Oberlin College professors who gave me
Oberlin College professors who gave me advice after I graduated a year or two
advice after I graduated a year or two
advice after I graduated a year or two and I came back and I asked them what
and I came back and I asked them what
and I came back and I asked them what should I do with my life I really didn’t
should I do with my life I really didn’t
should I do with my life I really didn’t have a good idea in four of them wrote
have a good idea in four of them wrote
have a good idea in four of them wrote back and said Diane you should go to law
back and said Diane you should go to law
back and said Diane you should go to law school you do well there and I never met
school you do well there and I never met
school you do well there and I never met a lawyer but what sealed the deal was I
a lawyer but what sealed the deal was I
a lawyer but what sealed the deal was I found out there’s no math on the Law
found out there’s no math on the Law
found out there’s no math on the Law School Admission Test I thought okay I
School Admission Test I thought okay I
School Admission Test I thought okay I have a chance so I went to law school
have a chance so I went to law school
have a chance so I went to law school Berkley fell in love with California I
Berkley fell in love with California I
Berkley fell in love with California I had started my law practice and the best
had started my law practice and the best
had started my law practice and the best thing ever
thing ever
thing ever I met my wonderful husband Michael who’s
I met my wonderful husband Michael who’s
I met my wonderful husband Michael who’s here today and he’s we’ve been married
here today and he’s we’ve been married
here today and he’s we’ve been married for 24 years
for 24 years
for 24 years he loves to tease me especially in a
he loves to tease me especially in a
he loves to tease me especially in a climate like this that he’s very
climate like this that he’s very
climate like this that he’s very visionary because predicted China’s
visionary because predicted China’s
visionary because predicted China’s great rise to power in the world and he
great rise to power in the world and he
great rise to power in the world and he thought it would be smart
thought it would be smart
thought it would be smart to be married to someone who have
to be married to someone who have
to be married to someone who have changed assent so thank you Mike
changed assent so thank you Mike
changed assent so thank you Mike but you know I don’t look like central
but you know I don’t look like central
but you know I don’t look like central castings idea of an attorney so I did
castings idea of an attorney so I did
castings idea of an attorney so I did encounter some racial and gender
encounter some racial and gender
encounter some racial and gender discrimination in my life but I
discrimination in my life but I
discrimination in my life but I remembered my mother’s determination and
remembered my mother’s determination and
remembered my mother’s determination and my father’s advice which was basically
my father’s advice which was basically
my father’s advice which was basically to overcome bias work hard and be
to overcome bias work hard and be
to overcome bias work hard and be competent and then those even prejudiced
competent and then those even prejudiced
competent and then those even prejudiced against you might be won over so I
against you might be won over so I
against you might be won over so I persevered
persevered
persevered I became California’s first
I became California’s first
I became California’s first asian-americans Superior Court
asian-americans Superior Court
asian-americans Superior Court commissioner and the first woman and
commissioner and the first woman and
commissioner and the first woman and first person of color to be the general
first person of color to be the general
first person of color to be the general counsel for the State Bar of California
counsel for the State Bar of California
counsel for the State Bar of California where I had 160,000 students start
where I had 160,000 students start
where I had 160,000 students start clients all lawyers oh so that was fun I
clients all lawyers oh so that was fun I
clients all lawyers oh so that was fun I had a great time thank you
I also took advantage of an amazing
I also took advantage of an amazing opportunity to become a White House
opportunity to become a White House
opportunity to become a White House Fellow the White House fellowship is I
Fellow the White House fellowship is I
Fellow the White House fellowship is I think America’s best leadership program
think America’s best leadership program
think America’s best leadership program it was founded by John W Gardner a great
it was founded by John W Gardner a great
it was founded by John W Gardner a great leader himself he was the Secretary of
leader himself he was the Secretary of
leader himself he was the Secretary of Health Education and Welfare under
Health Education and Welfare under
Health Education and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson and his idea
President Lyndon Johnson and his idea
President Lyndon Johnson and his idea was to bring people from different
was to bring people from different
was to bring people from different sectors different fields and professions
sectors different fields and professions
sectors different fields and professions to Washington DC for one year to work
to Washington DC for one year to work
to Washington DC for one year to work for a cabinet official or ahead of a
for a cabinet official or ahead of a
for a cabinet official or ahead of a White House office I worked for the US
White House office I worked for the US
White House office I worked for the US Trade Representative’s office and it was
Trade Representative’s office and it was
Trade Representative’s office and it was a fantastic experience to go around and
a fantastic experience to go around and
a fantastic experience to go around and watch trade negotiators and participate
watch trade negotiators and participate
watch trade negotiators and participate in negotiating sessions it was exciting
in negotiating sessions it was exciting
in negotiating sessions it was exciting but the even more exciting thing was we
but the even more exciting thing was we
but the even more exciting thing was we met my class this was my class
met my class this was my class
met my class this was my class unfortunately I’m way out on the edge
unfortunately I’m way out on the edge
unfortunately I’m way out on the edge but you can see a very short person
but you can see a very short person
but you can see a very short person that’s like that’s me anyway something
that’s like that’s me anyway something
that’s like that’s me anyway something like I cut on the picture
like I cut on the picture
like I cut on the picture anyway our class were friends for life
anyway our class were friends for life
anyway our class were friends for life believe me we’ve made great great
believe me we’ve made great great
believe me we’ve made great great friends friendships out of this we had
friends friendships out of this we had
friends friendships out of this we had to hear over a hundred incredible
to hear over a hundred incredible
to hear over a hundred incredible leaders throughout this two to three a
leaders throughout this two to three a
leaders throughout this two to three a week it was extraordinary
week it was extraordinary
week it was extraordinary people who were opera singers CEOs
people who were opera singers CEOs
people who were opera singers CEOs Supreme Court just
Supreme Court just
Supreme Court just this is the president of the United
this is the president of the United
this is the president of the United States members of Congress we met people
States members of Congress we met people
States members of Congress we met people in four different cities around the
in four different cities around the
in four different cities around the United States Boston New York Colorado
United States Boston New York Colorado
United States Boston New York Colorado and five different yes la in San
and five different yes la in San
and five different yes la in San Francisco it was amazing and we were
Francisco it was amazing and we were
Francisco it was amazing and we were supposed to bring back what we learned
supposed to bring back what we learned
supposed to bring back what we learned to our communities the insights and
to our communities the insights and
to our communities the insights and perspectives and experiences that
perspectives and experiences that
perspectives and experiences that experience has changed me in so many
experience has changed me in so many
experience has changed me in so many ways and as you’ll see inform some of
ways and as you’ll see inform some of
ways and as you’ll see inform some of the things I did later in the 1990s as I
the things I did later in the 1990s as I
the things I did later in the 1990s as I said I met my husband but another very
said I met my husband but another very
said I met my husband but another very momentous person I met some of you know
momentous person I met some of you know
momentous person I met some of you know John Sexton he was then the Dean of the
John Sexton he was then the Dean of the
John Sexton he was then the Dean of the New York University School of Law and I
New York University School of Law and I
New York University School of Law and I was very active in the American Bar
was very active in the American Bar
was very active in the American Bar Association including the section on
Association including the section on
Association including the section on legal education and admissions to the
legal education and admissions to the
legal education and admissions to the bar John and I became very good friends
bar John and I became very good friends
bar John and I became very good friends we served on a couple committees
we served on a couple committees
we served on a couple committees together and the ABA and so years after
together and the ABA and so years after
together and the ABA and so years after we first met we bumped into each other
we first met we bumped into each other
we first met we bumped into each other in 2001 at a hotel in San Francisco for
in 2001 at a hotel in San Francisco for
in 2001 at a hotel in San Francisco for a bar convention and he said let’s have
a bar convention and he said let’s have
a bar convention and he said let’s have a cup of coffee I want to tell you
a cup of coffee I want to tell you
a cup of coffee I want to tell you something and he sat me down and then he
something and he sat me down and then he
something and he sat me down and then he regaled me as only John Ken in the story
regaled me as only John Ken in the story
regaled me as only John Ken in the story of how the NYU Board of Trustees had
of how the NYU Board of Trustees had
of how the NYU Board of Trustees had approached him about becoming the 15th
approached him about becoming the 15th
approached him about becoming the 15th president of the University he was
president of the University he was
president of the University he was mulling it over he was weighing the pros
mulling it over he was weighing the pros
mulling it over he was weighing the pros and cons he loved being the law school
and cons he loved being the law school
and cons he loved being the law school dean but he could see this could be an
dean but he could see this could be an
dean but he could see this could be an exciting prospect and after he finished
exciting prospect and after he finished
exciting prospect and after he finished telling me these wonderful stories and
telling me these wonderful stories and
telling me these wonderful stories and his weighing of pros and cons he sort of
his weighing of pros and cons he sort of
his weighing of pros and cons he sort of bang the table he said so how about it I
bang the table he said so how about it I
bang the table he said so how about it I said how about what he said how about
said how about what he said how about
said how about what he said how about joining my team I said wait a minute
joining my team I said wait a minute
joining my team I said wait a minute your team what team they haven’t picked
your team what team they haven’t picked
your team what team they haven’t picked you yet have they
you yet have they
you yet have they he said no is it imminent is gonna
he said no is it imminent is gonna
he said no is it imminent is gonna happen tomorrow no I said well you’re
happen tomorrow no I said well you’re
happen tomorrow no I said well you’re getting a little head of yourself aren’t
getting a little head of yourself aren’t
getting a little head of yourself aren’t you he said well I was just thinking if
you he said well I was just thinking if
you he said well I was just thinking if I could get some interesting people to
I could get some interesting people to
I could get some interesting people to work with me it would be even more fun
work with me it would be even more fun
work with me it would be even more fun so I said well alright we’ll go along
so I said well alright we’ll go along
so I said well alright we’ll go along with this what would I do
with this what would I do
with this what would I do I don’t know he said well would I be
I don’t know he said well would I be
I don’t know he said well would I be general counsel the top lawyer I know
general counsel the top lawyer I know
general counsel the top lawyer I know how to do that no I think you should do
how to do that no I think you should do
how to do that no I think you should do something different where would I work I
something different where would I work I
something different where would I work I don’t know
don’t know
don’t know I said all right just for laughs how
I said all right just for laughs how
I said all right just for laughs how much money would I make he said oh I
much money would I make he said oh I
much money would I make he said oh I don’t know but a lot less than you’re
don’t know but a lot less than you’re
don’t know but a lot less than you’re making as a lawyer I said John it was
making as a lawyer I said John it was
making as a lawyer I said John it was the worst recruiting pitch I have heard
the worst recruiting pitch I have heard
the worst recruiting pitch I have heard so I dismissed it I didn’t think he was
so I dismissed it I didn’t think he was
so I dismissed it I didn’t think he was serious I didn’t think so
serious I didn’t think so
serious I didn’t think so it turns out several months later he
it turns out several months later he
it turns out several months later he actually did get appointed the 15th
actually did get appointed the 15th
actually did get appointed the 15th president of NYU and he came back to me
president of NYU and he came back to me
president of NYU and he came back to me he said okay Diane now it’s official
he said okay Diane now it’s official
he said okay Diane now it’s official I do want you to join my core team my
I do want you to join my core team my
I do want you to join my core team my cabinet and if you don’t like any of the
cabinet and if you don’t like any of the
cabinet and if you don’t like any of the jobs that exist you can design your own
jobs that exist you can design your own
jobs that exist you can design your own job Wow for that I took the risk I took
job Wow for that I took the risk I took
job Wow for that I took the risk I took the leap I said okay I’m coming to New
the leap I said okay I’m coming to New
the leap I said okay I’m coming to New York and I joined his administration as
York and I joined his administration as
York and I joined his administration as his chief of staff and deputy the very
his chief of staff and deputy the very
his chief of staff and deputy the very first position like that for any major
first position like that for any major
first position like that for any major research university in the United States
research university in the United States
research university in the United States as a matter of fact I later became
as a matter of fact I later became
as a matter of fact I later became deputy president and I loved every
deputy president and I loved every
deputy president and I loved every minute it was just an extraordinary time
minute it was just an extraordinary time
minute it was just an extraordinary time to be at NYU and to work with a great
to be at NYU and to work with a great
to be at NYU and to work with a great leader like John and the other members
leader like John and the other members
leader like John and the other members of the team but the bonus was he said
of the team but the bonus was he said
of the team but the bonus was he said you know Diane you should teach I said I
you know Diane you should teach I said I
you know Diane you should teach I said I can I could teach just in my spare time
can I could teach just in my spare time
can I could teach just in my spare time of course I said well that’s wonderful
of course I said well that’s wonderful
of course I said well that’s wonderful and I decided I’d wanted to teach
and I decided I’d wanted to teach
and I decided I’d wanted to teach leadership I worked through the deans of
leadership I worked through the deans of
leadership I worked through the deans of the various undergraduate schools we
the various undergraduate schools we
the various undergraduate schools we created a course for undergraduates from
created a course for undergraduates from
created a course for undergraduates from our 9 different undergraduate colleges
our 9 different undergraduate colleges
our 9 different undergraduate colleges and it’s been a joy of my life
and it’s been a joy of my life
and it’s been a joy of my life and I patterned it after my beloved
and I patterned it after my beloved
and I patterned it after my beloved White House Fellows Program so they
White House Fellows Program so they
White House Fellows Program so they students in addition to normal academic
students in addition to normal academic
students in addition to normal academic studies get to meet interesting
studies get to meet interesting
studies get to meet interesting fascinating distinguished leaders for
fascinating distinguished leaders for
fascinating distinguished leaders for example some classes have met Supreme
example some classes have met Supreme
example some classes have met Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan and
Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan and
Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan and heard her story from academia to
heard her story from academia to
heard her story from academia to Solicitor General to the United States
Solicitor General to the United States
Solicitor General to the United States Supreme Court another class heard
Supreme Court another class heard
Supreme Court another class heard Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor and
Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor and
Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her compelling personal story about how
her compelling personal story about how
her compelling personal story about how she landed in the US Supreme Court some
she landed in the US Supreme Court some
she landed in the US Supreme Court some have had a chance to question actress
have had a chance to question actress
have had a chance to question actress Anna deavere Smith or Maria Bartiromo a
Anna deavere Smith or Maria Bartiromo a
Anna deavere Smith or Maria Bartiromo a noted business journalist and
noted business journalist and
noted business journalist and anchorwoman
anchorwoman
anchorwoman from Danny Meyer the famed restaurateur
from Danny Meyer the famed restaurateur
from Danny Meyer the famed restaurateur who developed Shake Shack and Union
who developed Shake Shack and Union
who developed Shake Shack and Union Square cafe and
Square cafe and
Square cafe and they’re terrific establishments they
they’re terrific establishments they
they’re terrific establishments they learned one great piece of leadership
learned one great piece of leadership
learned one great piece of leadership advice always take care of your people
advice always take care of your people
advice always take care of your people first because without them there is
first because without them there is
first because without them there is nothing that’s going to get done
nothing that’s going to get done
nothing that’s going to get done including your vision from evan chess
including your vision from evan chess
including your vision from evan chess ler he’s the head of Cravath Swaine &
ler he’s the head of Cravath Swaine &
ler he’s the head of Cravath Swaine & Moore big law firm in New York they
Moore big law firm in New York they
Moore big law firm in New York they learned many pieces of advice including
learned many pieces of advice including
learned many pieces of advice including this one which is always treat people
this one which is always treat people
this one which is always treat people with respect especially on your way up
with respect especially on your way up
with respect especially on your way up because you might see them again on your
because you might see them again on your
because you might see them again on your way down at the US Military Academy
way down at the US Military Academy
way down at the US Military Academy the students were amazed to discover
the students were amazed to discover
the students were amazed to discover that military leaders spent a lot of
that military leaders spent a lot of
that military leaders spent a lot of time honing their communication and
time honing their communication and
time honing their communication and persuasive skills because that class of
persuasive skills because that class of
persuasive skills because that class of command control model doesn’t work even
command control model doesn’t work even
command control model doesn’t work even in the military and from john sexton
in the military and from john sexton
in the military and from john sexton himself they heard about his adored
himself they heard about his adored
himself they heard about his adored teacher charlie about playing another
teacher charlie about playing another
teacher charlie about playing another octave on the piano reaching stretching
octave on the piano reaching stretching
octave on the piano reaching stretching and living a useful life so all of these
and living a useful life so all of these
and living a useful life so all of these experiences have made me feel very
experiences have made me feel very
experiences have made me feel very something very special about them and it
something very special about them and it
something very special about them and it led to a quite unexpected opportunity in
led to a quite unexpected opportunity in
led to a quite unexpected opportunity in 2007 nyu
2007 nyu
2007 nyu entered into an agreement with the
entered into an agreement with the
entered into an agreement with the government of bubble Dhabi to create NYU
government of bubble Dhabi to create NYU
government of bubble Dhabi to create NYU Abu Dhabi a world-class teaching and
Abu Dhabi a world-class teaching and
Abu Dhabi a world-class teaching and research institution higher learning it
research institution higher learning it
research institution higher learning it is an extraordinary place I recommend
is an extraordinary place I recommend
is an extraordinary place I recommend you all go it really is amazing and as
you all go it really is amazing and as
you all go it really is amazing and as part of that initiative I was asked to
part of that initiative I was asked to
part of that initiative I was asked to do some startups that I actually hadn’t
do some startups that I actually hadn’t
do some startups that I actually hadn’t done any starts not very many anyway a
done any starts not very many anyway a
done any starts not very many anyway a few but this was something different I
few but this was something different I
few but this was something different I had never been to the Gulf region I
had never been to the Gulf region I
had never been to the Gulf region I hadn’t met anybody from there and I had
hadn’t met anybody from there and I had
hadn’t met anybody from there and I had five months to create the Sheikh
five months to create the Sheikh
five months to create the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholars Program
Mohammed bin Zayed Scholars Program
Mohammed bin Zayed Scholars Program because John Sexton told me that he was
because John Sexton told me that he was
because John Sexton told me that he was starting to teach on September 14th of
starting to teach on September 14th of
starting to teach on September 14th of 2008 and it was April 10th of 2008 he
2008 and it was April 10th of 2008 he
2008 and it was April 10th of 2008 he said make the program happen so somehow
said make the program happen so somehow
said make the program happen so somehow we did I ended up teaching in that
we did I ended up teaching in that
we did I ended up teaching in that program as well I teach the leadership
program as well I teach the leadership
program as well I teach the leadership class there it’s now in its tenth year
class there it’s now in its tenth year
class there it’s now in its tenth year we bring in students from the three
we bring in students from the three
we bring in students from the three federal universities who are not NYU Abu
federal universities who are not NYU Abu
federal universities who are not NYU Abu Dhabi students but we expose them to
Dhabi students but we expose them to
Dhabi students but we expose them to what the campus has to offer in terms of
what the campus has to offer in terms of
what the campus has to offer in terms of academics leadership and cross-cultural
academics leadership and cross-cultural
academics leadership and cross-cultural experiences a couple years later I was
experiences a couple years later I was
experiences a couple years later I was asked to create a high school college
asked to create a high school college
asked to create a high school college prep
prep
prep Academy for aspiring LW high school
Academy for aspiring LW high school
Academy for aspiring LW high school students who wanted to go to English
students who wanted to go to English
students who wanted to go to English language universities throughout the
language universities throughout the
language universities throughout the world I didn’t know anything about high
world I didn’t know anything about high
world I didn’t know anything about high schools either but I learned and we’ve
schools either but I learned and we’ve
schools either but I learned and we’ve now are in our seventh year of the
now are in our seventh year of the
now are in our seventh year of the Summer Academy
Summer Academy
Summer Academy it’s an 18-month program and we’ve
it’s an 18-month program and we’ve
it’s an 18-month program and we’ve gotten students into NYU NYU all both a
gotten students into NYU NYU all both a
gotten students into NYU NYU all both a B+ Yale Penn Michigan Berkeley
B+ Yale Penn Michigan Berkeley
B+ Yale Penn Michigan Berkeley Georgetown Boston University st. Andrews
Georgetown Boston University st. Andrews
Georgetown Boston University st. Andrews a lot of wonderful places and it’s just
a lot of wonderful places and it’s just
a lot of wonderful places and it’s just been a life altering experience for me
been a life altering experience for me
been a life altering experience for me to be part of these community programs
to be part of these community programs
to be part of these community programs in which I lead and also teach now the
in which I lead and also teach now the
in which I lead and also teach now the next phase I want to talk about is
next phase I want to talk about is
next phase I want to talk about is legacy I’ve talked about growth talked
legacy I’ve talked about growth talked
legacy I’ve talked about growth talked about change legacy is the period in
about change legacy is the period in
about change legacy is the period in your life when you discover whatever
your life when you discover whatever
your life when you discover whatever leader you want to be you can create it
leader you want to be you can create it
leader you want to be you can create it regardless of your natural talents or
regardless of your natural talents or
regardless of your natural talents or your past experience if you want to
your past experience if you want to
your past experience if you want to improve your emotional intelligence your
improve your emotional intelligence your
improve your emotional intelligence your delegation skills your communication
delegation skills your communication
delegation skills your communication skills your cognitive abilities or your
skills your cognitive abilities or your
skills your cognitive abilities or your expertise you have the power to do it
expertise you have the power to do it
expertise you have the power to do it you can also develop a lifelong passion
you can also develop a lifelong passion
you can also develop a lifelong passion for learning and self-improvement and if
for learning and self-improvement and if
for learning and self-improvement and if you do you’ll be able to take
you do you’ll be able to take
you do you’ll be able to take responsibility and accountability for
responsibility and accountability for
responsibility and accountability for your actions you’ll appreciate the
your actions you’ll appreciate the
your actions you’ll appreciate the benefits of having compassion and
benefits of having compassion and
benefits of having compassion and empathy be part of your portfolio and if
empathy be part of your portfolio and if
empathy be part of your portfolio and if you do all these things you will be
you do all these things you will be
you do all these things you will be ready and prepared for a truly unique
ready and prepared for a truly unique
ready and prepared for a truly unique contribution that you can make to the
contribution that you can make to the
contribution that you can make to the world
world
world whatever legacy I leave is gonna be
whatever legacy I leave is gonna be
whatever legacy I leave is gonna be bound up in students I know this my UAE
bound up in students I know this my UAE
bound up in students I know this my UAE students I don’t know they they don’t
students I don’t know they they don’t
students I don’t know they they don’t break my they build my heart every time
break my they build my heart every time
break my they build my heart every time I see them even those who come from
I see them even those who come from
I see them even those who come from educational systems that valued
educational systems that valued
educational systems that valued memorization and regurgitation when they
memorization and regurgitation when they
memorization and regurgitation when they come to our participation rich programs
come to our participation rich programs
come to our participation rich programs when they come to our mixed-gender
when they come to our mixed-gender
when they come to our mixed-gender programs which is a first for them they
programs which is a first for them they
programs which is a first for them they thrive English is their second or third
thrive English is their second or third
thrive English is their second or third language and yet within a few weeks in
language and yet within a few weeks in
language and yet within a few weeks in our programs they can read complicated
our programs they can read complicated
our programs they can read complicated texts some of them can dissect and
texts some of them can dissect and
texts some of them can dissect and analyze US Supreme Court decisions they
analyze US Supreme Court decisions they
analyze US Supreme Court decisions they can participate in competitive debates
can participate in competitive debates
can participate in competitive debates and they can give dazzling
and they can give dazzling
and they can give dazzling speeches it is extraordinary and at the
speeches it is extraordinary and at the
speeches it is extraordinary and at the same time they value and treasure the
same time they value and treasure the
same time they value and treasure the religious and cultural heritage so they
religious and cultural heritage so they
religious and cultural heritage so they are both preserving tradition and
are both preserving tradition and
are both preserving tradition and acknowledging they need certain skills
acknowledging they need certain skills
acknowledging they need certain skills to survive in the modern world these
to survive in the modern world these
to survive in the modern world these students and the ones that I teach I
students and the ones that I teach I
students and the ones that I teach I love the ones I teach here at Shanghai
love the ones I teach here at Shanghai
love the ones I teach here at Shanghai as well and New York are willing to make
as well and New York are willing to make
as well and New York are willing to make the transformational leap from follower
the transformational leap from follower
the transformational leap from follower to leader they’re willing to do the hard
to leader they’re willing to do the hard
to leader they’re willing to do the hard work that that entails they are not
work that that entails they are not
work that that entails they are not afraid they work hard they struggle they
afraid they work hard they struggle they
afraid they work hard they struggle they succeed they fail and then they get up
succeed they fail and then they get up
succeed they fail and then they get up and they try again they want to be path
and they try again they want to be path
and they try again they want to be path breakers for their country and for their
breakers for their country and for their
breakers for their country and for their generation and it is an extraordinary
generation and it is an extraordinary
generation and it is an extraordinary thing and in response to the questions I
thing and in response to the questions I
thing and in response to the questions I posed at the very beginning let’s talk
posed at the very beginning let’s talk
posed at the very beginning let’s talk about leadership and what it is and how
about leadership and what it is and how
about leadership and what it is and how and when people learn it they’ve learned
and when people learn it they’ve learned
and when people learn it they’ve learned it fluctuates it changes it depends on
it fluctuates it changes it depends on
it fluctuates it changes it depends on the circumstances on who else is there
the circumstances on who else is there
the circumstances on who else is there what the challenge is you can be a
what the challenge is you can be a
what the challenge is you can be a leader one day and a follower the next
leader one day and a follower the next
leader one day and a follower the next you may be an early leader or you may be
you may be an early leader or you may be
you may be an early leader or you may be one who comes in late and you may find
one who comes in late and you may find
one who comes in late and you may find it’s not linear whether you’re gonna be
it’s not linear whether you’re gonna be
it’s not linear whether you’re gonna be a leader or not it may be more circular
a leader or not it may be more circular
a leader or not it may be more circular or rotational or a zigzag they know that
or rotational or a zigzag they know that
or rotational or a zigzag they know that change is the mantra and as one Sheikh
change is the mantra and as one Sheikh
change is the mantra and as one Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed scholar told me she
Mohammed bin Zayed scholar told me she
Mohammed bin Zayed scholar told me she said lead a scholar in the context of
said lead a scholar in the context of
said lead a scholar in the context of this program let’s take Mohammed bin
this program let’s take Mohammed bin
this program let’s take Mohammed bin Zayed Scholars Program is a leader with
Zayed Scholars Program is a leader with
Zayed Scholars Program is a leader with a passion for change I hope we never
a passion for change I hope we never
a passion for change I hope we never stop learning because I think that’s
stop learning because I think that’s
stop learning because I think that’s what education is all about
what education is all about
what education is all about finding the answers to questions and
finding the answers to questions and
finding the answers to questions and questioning the answers the beauty of
questioning the answers the beauty of
questioning the answers the beauty of this program is that we don’t all have
this program is that we don’t all have
this program is that we don’t all have to think the same but we can come
to think the same but we can come
to think the same but we can come together learn together and share our
together learn together and share our
together learn together and share our knowledge I couldn’t say it better no I
knowledge I couldn’t say it better no I
knowledge I couldn’t say it better no I don’t know the future but I do know that
don’t know the future but I do know that
don’t know the future but I do know that even if part of your life is dedicated
even if part of your life is dedicated
even if part of your life is dedicated to service to others you will find that
to service to others you will find that
to service to others you will find that the highest level of encounter I
the highest level of encounter I
the highest level of encounter I certainly have there are a lot of things
certainly have there are a lot of things
certainly have there are a lot of things I haven’t accomplished in my life that I
I haven’t accomplished in my life that I
I haven’t accomplished in my life that I set out to do
set out to do
set out to do but the interactions and encounters I’ve
but the interactions and encounters I’ve
but the interactions and encounters I’ve had with my students fill me with joy
had with my students fill me with joy
had with my students fill me with joy they are an inspiration not just for me
they are an inspiration not just for me
they are an inspiration not just for me but for everyone who comes in contact
but for everyone who comes in contact
but for everyone who comes in contact with them and my wish for all of you is
with them and my wish for all of you is
with them and my wish for all of you is that you will be able to put together
that you will be able to put together
that you will be able to put together your growth and your change periods and
your growth and your change periods and
your growth and your change periods and create a legacy of which you will be
create a legacy of which you will be
create a legacy of which you will be proud I’ll borrow some terms that were
proud I’ll borrow some terms that were
proud I’ll borrow some terms that were made famous by the motivational speaker
made famous by the motivational speaker
made famous by the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar way back when but I’ll
Zig Ziglar way back when but I’ll
Zig Ziglar way back when but I’ll reconfigure them so I’ll say first I
reconfigure them so I’ll say first I
reconfigure them so I’ll say first I recommend you consider cultivating your
recommend you consider cultivating your
recommend you consider cultivating your aptitude your brains your intellect your
aptitude your brains your intellect your
aptitude your brains your intellect your talents then nurture your attitude your
talents then nurture your attitude your
talents then nurture your attitude your heart your feelings your generosity
heart your feelings your generosity
heart your feelings your generosity towards others and finally aim for
towards others and finally aim for
towards others and finally aim for altitude a meaningful life something
altitude a meaningful life something
altitude a meaningful life something that is going to take you up and higher
that is going to take you up and higher
that is going to take you up and higher than you ever could before if you
than you ever could before if you
than you ever could before if you combine aptitude attitude and altitude
combine aptitude attitude and altitude
combine aptitude attitude and altitude these three components they will inform
these three components they will inform
these three components they will inform all of your future encounters and I hope
all of your future encounters and I hope
all of your future encounters and I hope for all of you that you will be blessed
for all of you that you will be blessed
for all of you that you will be blessed with encounters that are full of love
with encounters that are full of love
with encounters that are full of love beauty and enlightenment and I know for
beauty and enlightenment and I know for
beauty and enlightenment and I know for these students that they will have those
these students that they will have those
these students that they will have those kinds of encounters because they are the
kinds of encounters because they are the
kinds of encounters because they are the best evidence that the best leaders are
best evidence that the best leaders are
best evidence that the best leaders are still to come thank you very very much
still to come thank you very very much
still to come thank you very very much [Applause]
”
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