Mosaic Minds #7|Navigating complexity by result-oriented thinking|Alessandra Tognonato,CG-Italy,HCMC

Key Concepts

• Cultural Fluency: The ability to navigate and adapt to different cultural norms, communication styles, and business expectations.
• Verba Volant, Scripta Manent (Latin): The traditional Western/Italian legalistic view where the written contract is the ultimate authority.
• Trust-Based Relationships: The Japanese and Vietnamese approach where the "word" and the strength of the personal relationship supersede the written contract.
• Soft Power: The ability to influence through cultural appeal (e.g., Italian design, food, and history) rather than coercion.
• Humanism: The Renaissance-era philosophy placing the human being at the center of the universe, influencing Italian creative and business approaches.
• Mentorship & Role Models: Essential frameworks for empowering the next generation of women leaders.

1. Leadership and Professional Philosophy

Alexandra Tonato, the Consul General of Italy in Vietnam, defines her leadership through merit, independence, and curiosity. Having worked across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, she emphasizes that leadership is not about titles but about the ability to adapt to local contexts.

• Financial Independence: Tonato highlights the importance of self-reliance, noting that she prioritized academic excellence and early career entry to achieve financial independence, allowing her to pursue her career path without being a burden to her family.
• The "Puzzle" Methodology: Drawing from her studies at the French ENA (École nationale d'administration), she describes her decision-making process as creating a "puzzle" from vast amounts of information to reach a logical conclusion.

2. Cross-Cultural Communication Frameworks

Tonato contrasts three distinct cultural frameworks she has integrated into her professional life:

• The French Method: Analytical, structured, and focused on synthesizing complex information.
• The German Method: Direct, result-oriented, and focused on objective feedback. She notes that while initially a "cultural shock," she adopted this for its efficiency: "If I tell you the job was great and it wasn't, I'm lying to you and we're both wasting our opportunity to work better together."
• The Japanese/Vietnamese Method: Relationship-centric. In these cultures, trust is built on the "word" rather than the contract. Tonato notes that she now balances these by using contracts for formal commitments (events/logistics) while relying on personal integrity and "keeping one's word" for long-term partnerships.

3. Italy-Vietnam Economic Cooperation

Tonato identifies significant potential for bilateral growth, noting that Italian companies often underestimate the "soft power" of Italian creativity.

• Key Sectors for Growth: Machinery, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and high-tech sectors (specifically earth observation and environmental science to combat monsoon-related issues like flooding).
• The "Family Business" Parallel: She argues that Italian and Vietnamese business cultures are closer than they appear, as both rely heavily on the "family business" model—a structure based on human skills, loyalty, and trusted networks.
• Advice for Companies: She advises firms to utilize the existing support ecosystem, including the Italian Trade Agency and the Chamber of Commerce, to assess risks and opportunities before entering the market.

4. Navigating Challenges and "Invisible Costs"

• Adaptability: Tonato emphasizes that Vietnam’s rapid evolution requires foreign partners to be equally agile. "If you cannot work and adapt at the same speed, you will be left behind."
• Humility as a Tool: When facing cross-cultural barriers, she uses "understatement" and self-deprecating humor to lower tensions and build rapport.
• Invisible Costs for Women: She acknowledges that while she hasn't faced overt discrimination, there are "unfair expectations" placed on women, particularly regarding the balance between career and motherhood, which are deeply rooted in societal structures.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The core takeaway from the discussion is that curiosity is the "glue" that holds a leader's diverse experiences together. Tonato’s approach to diplomacy is defined by:

1. Patience and Harmony: Learning to observe and respect local rhythms.
2. Integrity: Keeping one's word as the foundation of trust.
3. Empowerment: Actively fostering mentorship and providing role models for younger women to help them envision themselves in leadership roles.

Tonato concludes that the future of Italy-Vietnam relations is bright, driven by a mutual desire for growth, scientific cooperation, and a shared appreciation for human-centric business values.