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Susan Shen on the Importance of Good Communication

Susan Shen in field enlarged
Shen on World Bank Group mission (Photo: Susan Shen).
In this interview, retiring staff member Susan Shen chats with former World Bank Group Chief Archivist Elisa Liberatori Prati about her career at the World Bank Group since joining in September 1992. Susan had extensive experience with environmental and social programs, engaging with civil society organizations, and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reflecting on her career, she highlights the importance of relationships and cultivating intercultural understanding.

鈥淚 think, looking back, the main lessons are that transformational changes take time. ... It cannot be done in one year, two years, or three years, because transformational changes require behavioral change.鈥 鈥 Susan Shen

In her interview, Shen describes the path that led her to the Bank Group and the insights and lessons learned she gained from her experiences. In the early 90s, though discouraged by peers, Susan relocated to the World Bank鈥檚 China office.  This led to many experiences and navigating intercultural nuances. During this conversation, Susan describes her debates with the clients about environmental development, specifically a deforestation project in the 1990s.

Susan Shen and baby panda
Shen with a baby panda bear (Photo: Susan Shen).

"Get people to be on the same page and really work in a team - value added of people from DC 鈥 that bring knowledge from outside China, they appreciate that."  鈥 Susan Shen

Susan reflects on the difference between projects and programs. In her experience, programs can bring so much more for the client than projects since the client can implement their own policies and procedures into a program. Despite that, she acknowledges changing from a project to a program mindset may take time. All of this knowledge, innovative ideas, and first-hand experience is thanks to her years of work and travels. The accumulated experience informs her advice to listeners 鈥 to grow and become better, you have to be open to new experiences and keep learning.

"Advice to travelling Bank Staff: 鈥楪o down, get out of this hotel... go down the street and have a soup with people, and 鈥sk them how their daily life is.鈥 鈥  Susan Shen

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Retiring and Former Bank staff can participate in the Development Reflections series in a variety of ways.  Please contact us at wbglibrary@worldbank.org.