The connected mindset

Here are some corny daddy jokes about connection: Who was the best-connected president? Abraham LinkedIn! What do you call a Chinese cow that's connected to a computer network? "Moolan."

- FRANCIS J. KONG

While you are cringing or gnashing your teeth with the corniness of these "Connection" jokes, here is the last one, I promise: They say if you've seen one connected group of stores... You've seen a mall.

Take a moment to reminisce about your time in college. Imagine standing at the center of your university campus. To your right is the College of Engineering, its robust structure standing as a testament to innovation. The College of Medicine looms directly in front, symbolic of dedication to health and care. To your left, the College of Architecture reaches ambitiously toward the sky. Behind you, the expansive grounds house the colleges of Fine Arts, Social Sciences and others, each a bustling center of scholarly and creative pursuit. You then step into one of these academic buildings, spending years soaking in the wisdom and education it offers. Upon graduation, clad in your cap and gown, you step out into the world only to discover that life isn't segmented like the distinct departments on campus. Instead, you find life demands a synthesis of disciplines, especially in business, where everything is interconnected far beyond the isolated silos of university faculties. It may take you a while, but eventually, you will realize that everything is interconnected.

Leaders face new challenges and opportunities in today's fast-evolving business landscape, marked by swift technological advances and global interconnectedness.

The modern leader must develop a "connected mindset," a dynamic approach that fuses technology, strategy and deep human insight.