Thought Triggers Weekly | Edition #6
Arnab Roy Choudhury
Strategic Communications | Change Management | Storyteller | Builder | Executive MBA Candidate
Took a break last Monday as it was a public holiday here in Singapore celebrating the National Day. The news coming out of Afghanistan may be a lot to process for many, especially those who had wished for a different reality after nearly two decades of American military presence. Ultimately, the rushed evacuation ?somehow managed to reflect the story of the entire 20-year war: a disconnect between American diplomats and the reality on the ground.
This week through the three stories I try to explore the tragic consequences of mistaken assumptions, a contrarian view on misinformation and an equally data-driven and balanced view on the need to clear the deficit of trust if we are to emerge stronger as a society.
#1 He Worked With the U.S. for 9 Years. Now He’s Left Behind in Afghanistan.
This is a brilliant video story that haunts as I think of Romal, his wife and four children in Bagram working for the U.S. Military for the past nine years as translator. Were they able to escape? In fact, according to the story the US have initiated a Special Immigration Visa (S.I.V.) programme for people like Romal. Yet Jennifer Patota, a senior supervising attorney at the International Refugee Assistance Project informs us of a different and tragic reality:
In its current form, this program is not going to address the concern of what happens to Afghanistan with the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The S.I.V. program is in no way going to be a fast enough program to get Afghans to safety.
For a more nuanced view on the on the mistaken assumptions made by western planner on the nature of the Afghan state and Afghan nationalism, which ultimately led to the tragic scenes we have been seeing this past week, read this post from James Crabtree.
#2 A False Narrative About ‘Misinformation’ and Covid Vaccines
Fascinating and contrarian research indicates the narrative of deliberate misinformation campaigns leading to people's hesitancy to the Covid-19 vaccine appears itself to be misinformation. In his opinion piece from Mr Kaplan of the Stanford University’s Clinical Excellence Research Center, he clarifies:
The internet is awash with misinformation about the vaccines. But data distortion seems to have little effect on vaccine uptake. Well over a year ago, 35% told us they wouldn’t take the vaccine, and they have kept their word.
An illuminating & perhaps complementary read from Adam Grant as he explains to change someone else’s mind we need to help them find their own motivation to change.
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#3 The value of resilient leadership
The essay from Punit Renjen outlines the challenges we are facing today are occurring against a backdrop of?mistrust. When people trust each other they are able to work better together, manage conflicts with maturity and even solve problems more quickly. Here's a data-driven for insight from the piece:
79% of employees who highly trust their companies feel more motivated to work for them. In other words, trust drives experience—which drives behavior.
It is the social glue that holds society together. To move forward to a better normal for the economy, our health and safety, our climate, and human relationships requires a renewed commitment to trust.
Tiny Thought | Monday
We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge. – John Naisbitt
If you enjoy reading the three reads I share do let me know in the comments, and share it with others and yes, tell me what caught your attention as well.
Have a great week ahead.
#Afghanistan #publicpolicy #narratives #vaccine #misinformation #disinformation #resilientleadership #trust #insight