Digging Wells, an Investment

I was feeling awkwardly underdressed in a room full of suits and horn-rimmed glasses Wednesday night when Chris Vick lectured on conducting business in China.

During the speech, I got up in an attempt to take a few pictures of Vick and clumsily fell into the hair of a woman sitting in the back row. I knocked over several cameramen (whom I’m sure were actually commissioned to appear at the talk), took a few photos – all blurry- and fumbled back to my seat, trying not to being noticed.

Finally, I slumped into my chair and resignedly did what one is supposed to do at a speech – listen.

And although Vick spoke mountains of informative, winding words about Chinese politics and Chinese culture and trade tips and intellectual property, I was most intrigued by her closing story: On a trip to the People’s Republic, a man gave a toast in her honor:

“‘For those of us who drink from the well, we must never forget the well diggers.’ Then he turned to [Vick], and thanked [her] for being a well digger.’ “

Though the heart of the speech was comprised mostly of advice for forging business relationships with China, the subtle soul was a plea for cultural sensitivity, awareness, acceptance. In a time when the world is rapidly shrinking, we must create ground on which future, international relationships can grow.

The growth may be subtle, however, it will effect a world of change.