Have you ever heard about Constantine Phaulkon? Do not worry, before I came across a fantastic novel about his life, I was not familiar with this great historic figure.

Today, I would like to share with you the fantastic story of this Greek adventurer who lived between 1647 and 1688.

Born into misery in the Ionian island of Kephalonia, at a very young age, he embarked on a ship and went to the other side of the world. In Indonesia, he started working as a clerk for the English East India Company.

He worked hard to master the trading secrets between Indonesia, Siam and Japan and he moved to the Kingdom of Siam. In a very short amount of time, he became a special advisor to the King Narai of Ayutthaya.

I have been reading on Constantine Phaulkon and I have been very impressed with his adaptability, daringness and flare. From a Human Resources point of view, he had the profile and the skillset of a High Potential candidate.

While I was reading and doing research about him, I have reflected on the many ways that he inspired me. Phaulkon mastered the art of cross cultural management much before the notion was conceived. What are the lessons that we can learn from this great character of history?

Approachability at its best

Phaulkon was born in a very poor family in Greece and was captured at the age of 10 to work as a sailor in a trading ship. He demonstrated stamina and survived the first few years of his life on the ship. He first arrived in London and from them traveled to Indonesia and then to the Kingdom of Siam. From all the accounts we have of him, he was extremely adaptable and approachable.  He always wore a big grin on his face. With his street-smart attitude and his entrepreneurial spirit, Phaulkon was able to talk to people from any walk of life.

Mastering the language

He soon understood the importance of language. Phaulkon was fluent in English, French and Thai, a language that only a few foreigners mastered at that time. He was familiar with the vocabulary but also knew deeply the ins and outs the different cultures he operated in. A lot of historians have tried to understand how he could become so fluent in Thai at a time when there was not the beginning of a Thai dictionary. It looks like passionate about the people and curious to understand his environment, he spent many hours practicing and finally cracked up the code.

Creating powerful local connections

Everywhere he went, Phaulkon was able to establish the who’s who of the local and foreign society he was trying to integrate. He chose his alliances carefully. He married a Japanese Thai lady as he knew that his future father-in-law could help him access to the highest levels of the Siamese society.

Enjoying the life of the country you call home

When he received the embossed of Louix XIV (as France was eyeing the Kingdom of Siam), he took a lot of pleasure to introduce the delicacies of the Siamese food to the great surprise of the foreign envois.  Phaulkon fell in love with the Kingdom of Siam, he decorated his house with the finest decorations of that time and he knew how to enjoy the local music and poetry.

Not mixing with local politics

The end of his life is very well documented as it is very closely linked to the death of the King Narai himself. Phaulkon was so close to his King that he was executed by his successor who was afraid of his influence at the court. This is the ultimate sin: never get mixed with local politics, always stay neutral in the country that welcomes you. Phaulkon learned that lesson to the price of his life.

It is true that the story does not end well. However when you think of the level of influence Phaulkon acquired at a very young age, I am still convinced that he was a master of cross-cultural management.

If you are fascinated by this great adventurer, I highly recommend you to read the fabulous novel of Axel Aylwen "The Falcon of Siam".