Tag Archive for: preparation

Op-Ed: What Muay Thai Teaches About Leadership and Resilience

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muay thai leadershipAfter moving to Singapore and stepping away from the intense pace of fintech leadership, I found unexpected lessons in Muay Thai, a sport that one needs to study the underlying culture to truly understand. Over a five-year period, I visited Thailand thirty times and interviewed world champion boxers such as Muay Thai Legend Chanchai Sor Tamarangsri.

Here are eight lessons I learnt from studying Muay Thai that apply to business.

1. Be conscious of your body language

Shattered after a gruelling few months running a financial technology software company, I decided to take a short break to train in Thailand. On the first morning, I was sitting on the side of the boxing ring at 7 a.m. at Rawai Muay Thai waiting for my class to start, stressing about next week’s meeting with my co-founders, which promised to be unpleasant.

The sun had already reached 38 degrees and I was the first student in the gym. One of the trainers was walking past when he abruptly stopped. He looked at me and said, “Better go home.” Taken aback, I challenged, “Why?” Putting his hands on my shoulders, he pushed me bolt upright, took my hands out of my lap where they were knotted together and lifted my chin. “Your body tells me, you can’t fight” he replied. “It looks small and weak. Think strong and you will be. If you can’t do that, better go to the beach.”

2. You must be resilient

Muay Thai training is gruelling. Not just the because of the physical aspects but mentally you have to be prepared. All Muay Thai trainers will tell you they can teach a student to have a perfect roundhouse kick, an incredible knee strike, but not courage or “heart”. You have to want to win and believe you can. Fighters that do not have heart may win the first or even the third round, but they are not going to last the distance. You can be smaller than your opponent but your spirit is everything. In fact it’s one with real physical consequences. Fighters lose eyes, suffer head injuries.

No matter how difficult a situation is at work, there are not going to be any physical dangers. No-one is going to knock you out. Turn up to your career like you would a Muay Thai fighter, with heart. If you can’t then perhaps question whether the career you have chosen to succeed in is right for you.

3. There are no short cuts. You have to prepare. You have to practice

Practice, practice, practice. How Muay Thai fighters physiologically approach every session, every exercise – in fact, everything they do – impacts their ability to perform technical skills under stress. They are keyed into what motivates them and drives them forward. Being fully prepared alleviates stress. If you know you have done your best, and have sought feedback from your colleagues and mentors, then there is every reason to believe you are going to succeed.

4. Walk away when you need to

Muay Thai fighters do not win by themselves. Boxing is a team sport and the best trainers love to share their knowledge. They want you to succeed and be the best version of yourself. You need to put the work in and show commitment. Learning Muay Thai is a two-way street, you can’t show up expecting to learn without putting in the effort. If you find yourself at a Muay Thai gym where the trainers are pushing you hard for private classes or on their mobile phones during sessions, walk away. Instantly. You are wasting your time. If you have co-founders who do not share your values, who shirk responsibilities and lie, cut a deal and move on. Muay Thai demands you make decisive decisions fast.

5. Control your emotions

Before entering a ring, Muay Thai fighters still their minds. They are calm. Think about how you would picture the gaze of a Monk, emerging from a mediative state. Envisage how peaceful and free of worry his eyes are. In Thailand, I had the honour of removing Kru Wah’s Mongkhon – a headpiece worn by Thai boxers while performing the pre-fight performance dance. Traditionally, these headpieces are still blessed by a monk and believed to possess special powers to protect and bring good luck to their wearer.

When saying positive words for the battle ahead, I was struck by Kru Wah’s relaxed demeanour. It was as if he had already won and was getting ready for bed after a good meal. Kru Wah’s fight was beautiful to watch. He executed each strike fast and effectively whilst maintaining his prima ballerina assoluta sense of balance. He was precise and exact regardless of the pressure being applied by his opponent.

When making a point or in tense situations, remain calm and take time to observe the body language and micro expressions of the people around you. That way you can better adjust to your audiences’ comments and insights. Have faith in the meeting strategy you have worked on with your colleagues and mentors and you’ll be sure to win the day.

6. Be grateful and give back

Mongkunpet was a young girl when I first met her in 2016. She had already fought 30 amateur boxing matches. At that time she was around 30 kilos. An exceptional athlete, Monkunpet has gone on to win national championship belts. During a fight in Phuket, she badly hurt her foot, breaking several toes. Somehow, she fought through the pain and won the match. The next day she limped into the training arena; formally bowed to each of the 12 teachers in gratitude, and limped out again. If a young girl can do this to thank her teachers, we should be able to find time to show appreciation to the mentors and teachers who selfishly helped us achieve goals. We should make a commitment to have mentees ourselves.

7. Choose a strategy that works for you

Once a Muay Thai boxer has successfully won a number of fights, their trainer will decide which fighting style best suits the student’s temperament. For example, Muay Femur fighters are best known for their high fight I.Q., patience and the ability to move between various styles of execution as needed. They are phenomenal at counterattacks. In contrast, a Muay Mat fighting style involves adopting a forward-moving aggressive approach and deploying explosive punching combinations to ultimately knockout their opponents.

Similarly, in business, you need to think about which competitive strategy works best for you. Are you a deeper thinker who prefers not to rush in, or more on the front foot when it comes to pushing forward your narrative… or neither of the two? Give thought to the type of company culture where you can excel wherever you are on your career journey.

8. Focus

You have to be 100 per cent present in Muay Thai training. It is not like a spin class where you can ponder over your lunch choices. When you have a hectic lifestyle, pressures at work or with juggling family commitments can accumulate and cause stress. Just training a couple of hours a week will make a difference. Because your mind will be at rest from thinking about other people or situations. Learning to focus completely is a terrific way of giving your mind a break.

 

Sally Clarke at her Muay Thai training gym

By: Sally J Clarke is a senior leader in the technology and art sectors. She has received prestigious awards and been invited to contribute to industry initiatives such as: Amazon Web Services Female Founders, (2022/2023), the La Salle College of the Arts Incubator Fund Award (2014), British Tech Advisory and the SunGard (now FIS) CEO Award. Sally frequently share insights on leadership, innovation, and the power of creativity. Her debut novel Ringside Gamble is available on Amazon and all good book stores.

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Business Travel for Professional Women in a Volatile World

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Business travel for professional womenWhether you’re attending an out-of-town event, inspecting a new product line, or pitching for new business, travel is an integral part of executive life. But in today’s world – where geopolitical unrest and extreme weather events are becoming the norm – being on the road as a woman brings its own set of challenges.

In our latest global World Travel Protection online survey of more than 2,000 business travelers, 70% of women said they believe travel is riskier for them than for their male colleagues. Across every category measured, women expressed greater concern about business travel. Harassment and discrimination were cited as major concerns by 65% of women, compared to 53% of men. Nearly one in six women also reported having either experienced or witnessed harassment linked to gender or sexuality while travelling.

Worries about sexual assault were also high, with 64% of women expressing concern while 46% of men (which is almost half of men surveyed) also were afraid of sexual assault. This is a serious crime and these are not abstract fears, they are real concerns.

To navigate these challenges, individuals can take specific precautions to protect themselves, but organizations also have a duty of care to put robust travel risk management plans in place. At World Travel Protection, we use a practical framework built around three key areas: the Traveler, the Destination, and the Activity.

The Traveler: Knowing Your Profile

Your gender, age, ethnicity, seniority and travel experience can all affect how you’re perceived and treated abroad. A senior woman executive might command respect in one region while facing cultural resistance in another because of societal restrictions. Organizations should invest in inclusive policies that consider travel risks through a woman’s viewpoint – not just generic safety advice.

Before you travel, have an open and honest discussion with your company’s security or HR team. Are you comfortable with the destination? Will you be traveling solo or with a companion? It’s important to voice any concerns, preferences or support needs.

The Destination: Digging Deeper

While most companies assess destinations for obvious risks, such as political instability or health concerns, they may overlook subtler cultural challenges. How are women in leadership perceived? Will legal systems support you if something goes wrong? Are there local dress expectations or religious customs that impact how you should behave?

It’s essential to understand how society functions before setting foot in it. That includes knowing what areas to avoid, what cultural faux pas to steer clear of, and even how local elections or protests might disrupt transport or safety. Travel safety apps, such as our Travel Assist app, send location-specific, live insights and alerts, and help a traveler stay informed, particularly in a changing environment. These tools are essential for understanding whether, say, a local election might increase protest activity, or a cultural event could impact transport links.

The Activity: What You Do Matters

Different business activities expose travelers to different levels of risk. A journalist covering a political story may draw public scrutiny or unwanted attention, while a woman attending closed-door meetings may avoid such exposure. In contrast, a woman hosting a client dinner in a conservative society might even face hostility or discomfort. We recently supported a woman executive travelling to rural Pakistan. Every element of her trip was carefully planned – from how she dressed and conducted herself to how she navigated armed checkpoints. We also addressed medical access and emergency protocols, ensuring she had support for everything from potential evacuation to food access during Ramadan fasting hours. This is responsible planning.

We offer training specifically for women travelers – covering everything from emergency protocols to situational awareness, how to handle harassment, recognize manipulation, and stay digitally secure. These sessions, whether online or in-person, empower women to travel with confidence and give companies assurance that their duty of care is being fulfilled.

What Can Women Travelers Do

While company support is essential, there are practical steps women can take to feel more confident and in control while traveling. It starts with the fundamentals: dress appropriately for the destination’s climate and cultural expectations, leave expensive jewelry or valuables at home to minimize unwanted attention and assess the safety of attending after-hours meetings when traveling solo.

Accommodation is another critical factor. Always stay in vetted hotels, ideally with robust security procedures. Larger hotel chains often have dedicated security teams and are better equipped to support business travelers. When booking, request a room that is not on the ground floor and is away from isolated stairwells or emergency exits. Consider using simple tools like a portable door lock or wedge to enhance hotel room security.

Above all, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t hesitate to remove yourself from a situation whether that means stepping away from an uncomfortable conversation or asking hotel staff or security for assistance.

Alcohol and Food Safety

One often-overlooked threat, especially in Southeast Asia, is the risk of tampered alcohol. Methanol poisoning is often undetectable and usually comes from counterfeit or home-brewed spirits. Only consume drinks you’ve seen opened or poured, avoid suspiciously cheap cocktails, and be particularly cautious with local liquors.

Drink-spiking is another real risk, especially for solo travelers. Never leave your drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from strangers even if they seem friendly and well-meaning. It’s vital to stay alert in social settings.

The Taboo Every Woman Should Be Prepared For

Menstruation remains one of the least talked-about but critical travel issue for women. In conservative or remote locations, sanitary products can be difficult to find or even considered inappropriate to sell in public.

For example, there is the story of a woman at Istanbul International Airport who spent hours searching five terminals for tampons. She left feeling humiliated and paid nearly $20 for a basic pack. Another woman in China was told that sanitary pads were considered “private items” and not available for sale on public transport. Always carry what you need, even if you don’t expect to need it.

Stay in Touch

A simple tip is to check in regularly. According to our World Travel Protection survey, many women say they want more frequent contact from their employer while travelling, and a third report checking in with family or colleagues as part of their routine. Also, share your itinerary before departure, keep emergency contact information saved and written down, and let someone know if your plans change.

If you have access to a travel assistance app, make sure it’s turned on. The Travel Assist app offers flexible geolocation settings, allowing users to preserve privacy with a 5km radius or, with a quick adjustment, switch to precise location sharing when needed. This means that during a crisis – whether it’s a natural disaster, political unrest, or a terror incident – organizations can accurately locate and assist travellers. Travel should never mean going off the radar.

In today’s volatile world, business travel requires more than just a flight and a printed itinerary. With the right preparation, awareness, and support, executive women can navigate the global landscape not just safely, but with confidence and authority.

By: Kate Fitzpatrick, World Travel Protection’s Regional Security Director (EMEA). Kate has lived and worked in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. In Afghanistan, she was Security Risk Manager for the European Union Delegation in Kabul; in Nigeria, she worked as Security Risk Manager and a Senior Intelligence Analyst for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; in Switzerland as Corporate Security Manager for the TAP Trans Adriatic Pipeline (Europe); and, most recently in London as Director of Security and Safety for Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts.

(Guest Contribution: The opinions and views of guest contributions are not necessarily those of theglasshammer.com)

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