[Current Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha is speaking about how she dealt with prejudice as a Korean woman during her time working at the UN.]

You know, ​In the back of my mind, there’s this constant questioning of ‘Am I being treated this way because I’m a woman?’ plus, ‘Am I being treated this because I’m a Korean and a nation?’ ​

When you're dealing with, you know, you know, when the going is good, and everything is working out, great collaboration, none of that. But when the going gets tough, you don’t get what you want, there’re conflicts, and disagreements, you’re being let down, …. there’s a question.

​Is this because I’m a woman and a korean? And I really have to try hard to, you know, not to read meaning, where there is no meaning.  Basically, you know, when the your, the other side has said something, to take that at face value.

​And not to, not to, not to be suspicious. Not to try, not to second guess he or she is saying. I think that’s a very unhealthy way to, you know, work on a daily basis. But it’t so easy to get into that.

​And I’ve seen so many colleagues get into that mind trap. And you become psychotic! Especially when you’re in a leadership position, and when you have to deal with staffs and so many different cultures. And, you have to really approach the situation just, with basic trust.​

You’re going to just take things at face value. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Until, and unless you’re given, you know, compelling evidence that this is not happening and there’s really something, a, you know, going on that, that was, totally behind you back or something.  I really, really try, you know, push my confidence in my people.

1. Give people benefit of doubt. 2. To take that at face value