Given the outbreak of several recent catastrophes, the title may even have to be changed to "When Nature is Not a Safe Bet at All!"

I was recently required to cover the work of a colleague, who was supposed to have spent his vacation in Europe and return to work a few days ago. At his last stop in London, the unfortunate Icelandic volcanic eruptions had, however, put his return on hold.

Down under the other side of the globe is the homeland of Mark Hunter, last year's World Champion of Public Speaking. Mark was supposed to come to Hong Kong to conduct several workshops on advanced presentation skills. However, there was a cloud hanging over the workshops as well. Since his trip to Europe was becoming unclear, he might also not be coming to Hong Kong.

Then there is the recent earthquake in Qinghai, where the local Hong Kong hero Wong Fuk-wing sacrificed

his own life on his return to rescue children buried under debris.

In these and other catastrophes, we see how nature is disrupting our economy, businesses and lives.

While political debates and scientific findings have diverged on whether these event have anything to do with climate change, most scientists do believe that, first, the volcano eruptions are unlikely to slow global warming; second, that climate change could also trigger volcanic eruptions or earthquakes in other places from Antarctica to Alaska or even South America; and third, the environmental impacts of volcanoes can go far beyond their immediate area.

So, what can we do?

I'm actually inspired by my daughters Laetitia and Alicia. The other day at the dining table while we were having meals they put their legs up comfortably on the dining table. Seeing this not being the kind of proper manner at the dining table, I asked them to put their legs down.

'But why can you do that Daddy?'

Then I realized that the act was indeed one form of relaxation that I did to soothe my body and mind. Without explicitly teaching my children to do that, I had unwittingly become a bad role model. When I asked them to discontinue this behavior, my credibility was in question because I was not practicing what I was preaching.

The same happens not just in other trivial affairs, but also in major social issues ranging from drugs and gambling to environmental sustainability initiatives.

In all instances and to a significant extent, the younger generation copies from us.

You want them to be considerate? Why don't we first stop smoking in public, when we see non-smokers are flapping their hands to disperse our smoke?

You want them to shun drugs? Avoid gambling? Then it's time to change our behavior, how we interact and communicate with people and how we interact with institutions, e.g., the stock market.

You want to know how to save our world? Start saving your world at home. Build up habits that could save your private as well as public worlds. Live those habits. Let the younger generation role copy and diffuse these.

Whether nature is the safest bet or not, wise guidance always is.

Sean Lin, MBA MSc CISA CISM CISSP SHKIM ProM, he is the Director of Corporate Communications, Hong Kong Institute of Marketing. Besides, he is also the Division Governor - Hong Kong of Toastmasters International. Readers are welcome to write to him at slin@hkim.org.hk.

HKIM

(HK Edition 04/29/2010 page2)