Family matters

The Chaos may be the most prominent Chinese immigrant family in the US.

Elaine Chao, the first female Asian-American ever to be appointed to the president's cabinet in US history, made headlines and history again when she was nominated on Nov 29, 2016, as the secretary of transportation.

She is the first Asian-American woman to serve as a member of two presidents' cabinets, a feat few Americans, male or female, can match.

While Elaine Chao has often been the focus of the family, her father has been the leading actor on the stage, and Elaine Chao in a supporting role, in recent weeks.

The Chinese-language version of James Chao's biography, Fearless against the Wind, was just published in Taiwan. As the timing coincided with the nomination of Elaine Chao, the book naturally was a sensation among the Chinese community and Chinese media in the US.

In 1998, when I was the Washington bureau chief for a Hong Kong newspaper, Elaine Chao granted me a long interview.

At that time, she was a distinguished fellow at a Washington think tank. She expressed her views clearly about many important issues, including some sensitive ones in the Asian community, such as affirmative action. She didn't hide her objection to affirmative action by pointing out that quotas and goals harm Asian Americans, and the US - the land of opportunity - should be based on merit.

James Chao had heard of my article about Elaine Chao and extended an invitation to have lunch with him at the Harvard Club New York. That was the first time I met him and my first time visiting this prestigious club.

We had a very pleasant conversation during the lunch.He asked about my age, my experience as a journalist and my future writing plans.

At that time, I knew too little about James Chao and his family. All I knew was that he was quite a successful businessman in the shipping industry. I knew he had six daughters who were all very talented,well educated and outstanding in their career paths. I have admired this wonderful father since.

James Chao was also very successful in educating his children. Whenever people praise this, James Chao always replies: "Thank God I had such a good wife. Without her, nothing would have happened."

On June 6, 2016, all members of the Chao family were presented at the dedication ceremony of the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center at Harvard Business School. Elaine Chao's husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was also there.

When James Chao and Elaine Chao were in the photo session with media executives, the daughter asked some of us to switch positions to give older friends a more cental place.

McConnell is a congressional leader. But on that occasion, his role was son-in-law and husband. Other than smile and take constant requests for photos with guests, he was low-key and in the background.

Knowing who you are in different circumstances is pivotal to doing things properly. That is a decisive factor of EQ.