How Ming Chen of EF Education First Tackles The Extreme Work Life Balance Of Being A Woman Business Leader During Covid-19

Another reason to be hopeful lies within each of us — our attitude. The person who believes they will be successful and the person who believes they will fail are both right. The way you frame your thinking will absolutely lead you to the end result. We each have the power to be hopeful and to develop a positive outlook.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Many of us now have new challenges that come with working from home, homeschooling, and sheltering in place.

As a part of our series about how busy women leaders are addressing these new needs, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ming Chen.

Ming is the Chief Culture Officer at EF Education First , a multinational education company with 50,000 team members around the world. Ming is also the co-author of three children’s book and co-founder of a Asian American non-profit LAAUNCH, and a compulsive runner. Based in Hong Kong, Ming is mostly found in her free time either running marathons and running after her three sporty children.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

Graduation from Harvard Business School was only weeks away and I still had no clue what I would do with my fancy MBA. EF, which has a beautiful office just down the Charles River, sent me this very clever letter, “Not Banking, Not Consulting, Not Healthcare…Something Different.” For-profit education wasn’t exactly a conventional career path back then, but it has been tremendously rewarding and certainly something different. EF offers language learning, educational travel and cultural exchange programs. We are also associated with Hult International Business School which is named for EF’s founder Bertil Hult. Prior to joining EF, I worked in television but never really watched (this was before Netflix). I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I was 28 years old, and I went to graduate school to try to figure it out. However I knew for sure that whatever I was eventually destined to spend my time working on — I needed to believe in it. Having studied in France during the summer and growing up Asian American, I could relate to EF’s mission of breaking down the barriers of culture, language and geography that divide us. Wow — that was twenty-two (22!) years ago, and this mission is even more compelling today.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started at your company?

There have been so many fun stories! A Russian cosmonaut studied English with us from outer space, and he planted our EF flag on the International Space Station. We also broke two Guinness Book of World Records. The first record we broke was World’s Longest English lesson (48 hours!) back in 2005 when we launched our mega-English center in Shanghai. This marked the beginning of our exponential growth in China when we opened a new English center every other week for a several years. The second record we broke was World’s Biggest Online Dance with EF’s staff all over the world dancing to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary.

Besides literally defying gravity and breaking world records, the big story is actually being part of our enormous business growth powered by EF’s “intrapreneurial” spirit.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

Two creative personal projects that are deeply meaningful to me are writing children’s books and founding LAAUNCH.org. This past year, my twin sister Wah Chen and I co-authored Escape: One Day We Had to Run, a children’s book about real-life episodes of daring escapes. The book chronicles brave people who were forced to leave their countries due to war, economic hardship, persecution, and even climate change. Too often the dialogue surrounding immigration and refugees is laced with judgement and polarizing politics, and we desperately wanted to change that narrative. Our book illustrates that “great escapes” continue to happen all over the world, by all nationalities, and for a multitude of reasons. We feel it’s important that migration be viewed through a lens of compassion. We are extremely proud that the New York City Department of Education placed a large order for our book!

Another exciting project that my twin sister and I worked on was to start LAAUNCH (Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change). Motivated by the spate of hate crimes against Asians in the United States, we banded together with our close friends Norman Chen, David Ting, Edward King, Richard King and Eric Toda to encourage Asian Americans to vote in the 2020 Presidential election. LAAUNCH also released a report on attitudes towards Asian Americans in the United States. This will be an annual survey to identify and track stereotypes. Called the STAATUS Index, our study provides data and helps generate actionable measures to combat rising anti-Asian hate. LAAUNCH is in the process of merging with The Asian American Foundation where we will incubate projects and ideas to help the AAPI community.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Two people immediately spring to mind. The first is Mr. Kevin Fox, my high school math teacher. He’s a classic example of a great teacher making a great difference in the lives of his students. I had never considered myself good at math, but I was a good student in his eyes, and so to please him I wanted to excel. That made all the difference. One of the only days he ever took off from teaching was to attend my graduation from Harvard College. The only other day off was to attend my twin sister’s Columbia University commencement. Mr. Fox is now retired, and he prefers that we call him by his first name (which I cannot bring myself to do). He continues to insipire us with his friendship and unconditional support.

The second person is obvious. My identical twin Wah was not only my “womb-mate” but also my co-conspirator, and she has been fundamental to making me who I am. We have co-authored three books together — in large part because we hold each other accountable. I feel that it’s an unfair advantage that Wah and I were born with a built-in friend and creative partner. Everyone deserves a fabulous identical twin!

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Can you articulate to our readers what are the biggest family related challenges you are facing as a woman business leader during this pandemic?

This pandemic has cut to the very core of family life. Many of us have been unable to connect with our aging parents, and I am more mindful than ever of time passing too quickly. During Covid my mother passed away on another continent. While she was ailing, I made the decision to leave work for several months and be by her side, which was a luxury afforded me by an understanding employer. However, it should not feel like a luxury. Employers must keep this in mind. As a female business leader, I realize that empathy and understanding your employee’s personal situation is critical to ensuring the mental health of those working in your company.

I recently read that one in five American households adopted a pet during the pandemic. The shared responsibility of caring for another soul (in this case, a vulnerable animal) seems to have provided an anchor for both adults and kids. Extrapolating what this means as an employer, I believe that having a strong sense of mission and purpose is more important than ever.

Can you share what you’ve done to address those challenges?

Centering our teams around what we can control versus what we can merely influence has been one way to help focus our priorities. For example, we cannot control borders closing or new Covid variants, but we can anticipate customer questions, what our businesses must do to support existing clients, and what our company can do to attract and retain staff.

EF offices have adopted a more flexible work policy by experimenting with all manner of work from home, remote working, and in-office scenarios. Since we have operations in more than fifty countries, we have been ‘learning by doing’ in terms of how we work best. Spoiler alert — it’s different in each country!

On a related note, I have often said that “time” is the best currency by which to measure decisions on what to do with our lives. Tradeoffs (i.e. what we do with our time) need to be measured by what we are giving up in order to do certain things with our time. I have thought deeply about this concept, and I try to help my team examine and question how they prioritize their time at work. Is what they are working on truly necessary — or is it just nice to have? At home, are your tradeoffs worth your time? Is playing a video game to relax really what you want to be doing with your down time? Would you rather be reading a book or going for a run with friends?

Can you share the biggest work related challenges you are facing as a woman in business during this pandemic?

EF has been hit with a double whammy jammy. The pandemic hit hard our business in education and travel industry. Border closures and the move to on-line schooling dramatically affected our core educational travel and language training businesses. We were forced to downsize and hibernate offices.

Pre-pandemic, many of us traveled extensively for work. Indeed, a large portion of EF’s business is centered around educational travel, and it required constant travel for in-person meetings, conferences, and events. I’m based in Hong Kong, which is one of the most hermetically sealed cities in the world right now. Undeniably, face-to-face meetings offer a better sense of the market and of the people you work with. Simply stated, it’s an enormous challenge that none of us can travel right now.

Can you share what you’ve done to address those challenges?

As an employer, we must reinvent and rethink the way we work. This means supporting remote work, re-engaging employees, following clear safety protocols, and continuously answering ‘why’ what we do matters. EF is a global business in more than fifty countries, so we have explored many versions of working. Hong Kong follows the pre-Pandemic norm that everyone is still really in the office, London implements a hybrid model of “three days in office and two days remote”, while other countries have divided themselves into office teams and fully-remote teams. .

Can you share your advice about how to best work from home, while balancing the needs of homeschooling or the needs of a family?

Depending on how one views working from home, I have been relatively lucky. Going into the office is still available to me — and I am well supported at home. So please be mindful that my tips for working from home aren’t necessarily ‘the best’. When my three children were faced with online schooling, it was important to be practical. Each found a regular nook or chair where they could take their lessons. We invested in good, comfortable headsets. We set up a place where they wouldn’t be too hunched over — and we had ample snacks! It’s important to acknowledge that what we are currently going through is quite EXTRA-ordinary, as in NOT normal. We should not beat ourselves up if life isn’t perfect. Go ahead and drink that cup of hot chocolate (with extra whipped cream!). Exchange memes with your friends. Employ copious amounts of humor!

Can you share your strategies about how to stay sane and serene while sheltering in place, or simply staying inside, for long periods with your family?

Exercise and/or Ecotherapy are key to Equanimity. As a compulsive runner (73 marathons under my belt), I have done an inordinate amount of running during the pandemic. I have also taken up online yoga and Pilates. There are tons of free workouts on YouTube (Chloe Ting’s free workouts are my niece’s particular favorites) as well as great subscription options as well.

For those less inclined to do a cardio workout, just getting some fresh air and going outside and looking up at the sky. In Japan, the concept of forest bathing or ecotherapy emerged as a great way for physiological and psychological exercise.

Good Television is God’s Gift. As a family, we are glued to British murder mysteries like Vera, Lewis, Midsommer Murders, and anything written by Agatha Christie. Netflix and the streaming services have boomed during this time for good reason.

Establish predictable routinues. Pedatrician and author of “Raising Global Teens” Dr Anisha Abraham is a big proponent of creating and maintaining realistic routines. Dr Samantha Boardman, founder of positiveprescription.com, explains that the stress the pandemic takes on people and families has created “decision paralysis”, which makes it harder to arrive at a conclusion. Having a routinue keeps minor decisions to a minimum. Lunch at home is always at 12.30pm, oatmeal is served for breakfast on Mondays, and pancakes are always eaten on Fridays. Even outside of a pandemic, establishing healthy habits can help reduce stress.

Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. The fears related to the coronavirus pandemic have understandably heightened a sense of uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. From your perspective can you help our readers to see the “Light at the End of the Tunnel”? Can you share your “5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During this Corona Crisis”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.

1. All tunnels have both an entrance and an exit — remember this. We have seen recent public health crises in different degrees: SARS, Bird Flu, Asbestos, Ebola. Without downplaying the severity of the Covid pandemic, we must also recognize how fortunate we are to have highly effective science, advanced technology, and plain old-fashioned wits to conquer this crisis.
2. Singapore-based investor Elan Cohen has pointed out that Covid has made people realize the power of Invention. He stated, “It’s unknowable what exciting inventions and discoveries are just around the corner and what marvels will happen in our lifetimes. For those of us in middle age, our parents lived to see the complete eradication of polio, smallpox, etc. For those who are children today, your parents could never have imagined carrying a telephone in their pockets — let alone one with 100x the computing power of NASA’s early computers.”
3. Another reason to be hopeful lies within each of us — our attitude. The person who believes they will be successful and the person who believes they will fail are both right. The way you frame your thinking will absolutely lead you to the end result. We each have the power to be hopeful and to develop a positive outlook.
4. Work and school became flexible out of necessity — and this may lead to future efficiencies. Educators, employers, governments, and businesses are actively re-assessing and developing in real-time the future of work and learning.
5. We can be hopeful that a deeper appreciation for what really matters will continue. This pandemic has made us all re-evaluate our priorities. We have developed new ways to relate to the communities that matter the most to us — whether it is book clubs, running groups, or Zoommates. This will surely carry on.

From your experience, what are a few ideas that one can use to effectively offer support to their family and loved ones who are feeling anxious? Can you explain?

Celebrate everything that can be celebrated. My brother recently became engaged over Zoom. We did not let the fact that this momentous occasion happened “online” diminish the level of joy and happiness that we felt for this wonderful life moment. My eldest daughter was recently accepted to her dream college, and we held a family-wide video call to collectively cheer. Call or send a text or WhatsApp message to your loved ones.

My new language of love is sending memes. A meme has become a short hand way of looking at a situation and channeling some humor. Laughter is often the best tonic for defusing anxiety.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

When Wah and I were young adults, our mother, Margaret Chen, advised us that we needed to have “a room of one’s own”. She was referencing Virigina Woolf’s essays on how women needed to be mindful to create their own financial and mental freedom to pursue one’s goals. There are two marvelous quotes from Viriginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own: “There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind” and “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” Woolf wrote this in 1929, almost a hundred years ago, and it still rings true. Earning one’s own keep is tremendously liberating and satisfying. In order to do so, you need to build and defend your personal resources, as well as have the time and space to be able to create.

How can our readers follow you online?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealmingchen/

IG @demingaling

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!