In Kiev – NRC

Three years ago I was in Kiev. I had to teach at a newly founded, hip business school. About change. Together with the students, especially young entrepreneurs and civil servants, we tried to translate the theory into working life in Ukraine. Quite complicated, because many people thought even more hierarchically than their Western colleagues, I was told.

Later that day, at dinner, I saw it for myself. It was about the presidential election. The first round would be in a week. The director of the business school said she was going to vote for Volodymyr Zelensky. The rest of those present remained silent. Later I understood that they had no faith in Zelensky. And certainly not in the business people who supported him. But in Ukraine it is usually not appreciated if you have a different opinion from the boss. Not even at a hip business school.

There was more going on than I was used to. I was sworn, assured and guaranteed that my bill would be paid in advance. But in the end, I didn’t get paid until the break of my class day, after I made it clear that I wouldn’t continue my lecture otherwise. The director came to bring the money personally. Cash. In small denominations. With a friendly smile.

The next day I was taken in tow by a business school employee. A mild-mannered historian who told a lot. What do I remember about it? That Kiev has been around for more than 1,500 years. That there are beautiful churches. But especially his story that he himself had demonstrated on the central Independence Square, only five years earlier, against the government of Yanukovych. He told how a few days later 100 people were killed in the square by government snipers. Just as a guide in Amsterdam points out where Rembrandt lived, he pointed out where the gunmen were and the victims.

My guide told me that things have improved in Ukraine since 2015. But there were also many problems. The great power of a handful of oligarchs. The huge differences between rich and poor. And the widespread corruption.

He hated corruption. Just like any other Ukrainian. A few minutes later he told me how he always gave his severely underpaid GP some money after a consultation. A little to help her. And also a little bit to make sure that if one of his children got sick, he would be helped quickly.

Last part of our tour was the Holodomor Monument. Holodomor means as much as: killing by starving. The historian told how under the rule of Stalin a famine was deliberately created in Ukraine. How millions of farmers died because of it in 1932 and 1933. There was still food in the cities, but the access roads were closed by Russian troops. It led to atrocities known to every Ukrainian. Parents who ate their own children. I told him I was ashamed because I had never heard of it. Did I now understand why many Ukrainians hated Russians so much?

Ben Tiggelaar writes weekly about personal leadership, work and management.