Christopher Johnston: An Invincible Summer In the Depth of Winter

Becoming a lawyer is not the only career option available in a law firm. Christopher Johnston shared his adventures while serving as a business advisor at ADCO Law in his story. He has experienced various unique and fascinating paths that have succeeded in molding him into an individual with a million points of view who is accustomed to viewing everything from multiple angles.

“My experience has made me think that understanding and accepting different points of view is essential for professional success. It requires perseverance, comprehension, and sensitivity to the values of each individual. Albert Camus once warned through his writings: “Do not walk in front of me since I might not follow. Do not follow me because I might not lead. Step alongside me… Just be my friend, and this is not just a quote; this is also advice for success in relationships and understanding people,” said Christopher.

Building Solid Connections

Since becoming a business counselor more than 10 years ago, Christopher Johnston has acquired a range of useful skills, particularly in business development. His ability to consistently create new business opportunities and expand client networks serves as a testament to his strengths in his line of work.

“Yes, I have been working in this position for more than ten years. Building solid connections with those around us, in my opinion, is the key to business success. My professional journey has taught me the value of communication and connection, not only in business development but also in day-to-day living,” said Chris, as he is more commonly called.

Chris worked at a number of the world’s top investment banks and at one of the prominent law firms in Indonesia before starting his career at ADCO Law. At the conclusion of 2022, he made a significant decision: to dedicate himself to ADCO Law. “In general, I have always thought that law firms require people who can develop new business prospects and have the capacity to broaden client networks. I excel at both of these,” he declared.

Chris’s daring and exploratory spirit helps him in his abilities to carry out this vocation. Chris smiled and continued, “As one wise man said, success does not lie in the position you have, but in your courage to act.” Chris has participated in a number of firm initiatives since joining ADCO Law, including the formulation and implementation of client relationship building. Chris has successfully connected the business with a number of new clients, from insurance to geothermal companies. “Our firm finds this client to be valuable. Being able to help out with this is an honor,” added Chris.

Now, Chris is also a member of the ADCO Law Insurance Working Group. “At the moment, the firm has introduced an Insurance Working Group, departing from the rapidly expanding Indonesian insurance market with alluring and promising investment potential, both in the conventional and sharia sectors. We are cognizant of the fact that Indonesia’s vast population and low insurance penetration rate has undoubtedly increased the urgency of this sector as a stepping stone for the nation’s economic development,” Chris remarked. “As a result, ADCO Law provides comprehensive assistance in dealing with challenging insurance matters. In addition to offering legal advice to clients, we also provide conflict resolution services, such as litigation assistance,” he stated.

Honing Capacity in Multiple Adaptations

As a result of frequently encountering people from different backgrounds, Chris has developed an appreciation for and understanding of the process of interacting with different cultures. Additionally, Chris enjoys taking personal vacations at regular intervals.

“When I was young and had just finished my studies in Canada, I began traveling as a hobby. I felt the need to explore fresh and distinct aspects of my surroundings at that time. I enjoyed learning about the history, culture, and art of various regions of the world. History, culture, and art should always have a place in our life,” this father of two children added, “And I have tried to teach this to my own children as well.”

He acknowledges that every trip he takes is always successful in teaching him lessons about life, particularly in discovering different procedures to adapt to various situations. “I gained the ability to adjust to various situations, communicate with others from many cultures, and extend my outlook,” a smile spread across his face as he replied. “I also learned to be more independent, resilient, and creative in dealing with challenges and problems that may emerge on the path.”

Going through multiple adaptation procedures is the aspect of Chris’ interest that most closely resembles his work as a business advisor. “Being a good business advisor is all about honing your capacity to adapt to various circumstances and provide quick and efficient solutions to issues,” said Chris. “I strive with cross-cultural communication while engaging in this activity. Being open and inquiring is what I consider most important. I make an effort to comprehend each person’s individuality and differences. I think every day is a chance for me to grow and get better at talking across cultures”, he added firmly.

Embracing Positivity

Living his life, Chris does not deny that obstacles keep coming and going. For Chris, continuing to explore will transform every challenge he faces into an invaluable lesson.

“I want to encourage young people who are interested in other cultures and have a desire to travel the world to keep exploring for new experiences and learning opportunities. Never be hesitant to step outside of your comfort zone nor to take calculated risks. Travel will help you learn important lessons in life and develop into a better and wiser person. Always be mindful of other people’s culture and traditions and treat them with respect,” Chris advised.

For Chris, making mistakes is something that cannot be prevented. Like himself, he is aware that he also makes mistakes when dealing with numerous obstacles. “For instance, there are disparities in perceptions and methods of thinking between people from different cultures in cross-cultural communication. This might lead to misconceptions and make the collaborative process more challenging,” he said.

“However, embrace everything with positivity and a commitment to never stop learning and becoming better,” he said. “An artist once said: in the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me lies an invincible summer,” he concluded with a smile.

***

About ADCO Law:

ADCO Law is a law firm that offers clients a wide range of integrated legal services, including in commercial transactions and corporate disputes in a variety of industry sectors. Over the course of more than a decade, we have grown to understand our client’s industry and business as well as the regulatory aspect. In dealing with business dynamics, we provide comprehensive solid legal advice and solutions to minimize legal and business risks.

From Upstream to Downstream, We Understand Your Industry. In complex transactions as well as in certain cases, we are actively engaged with financial, tax, and environmental specialists, accountants, and law firms from various jurisdictions to give added value to our clients. Having strong relationships with Government agencies, regulators, associations, and industry stakeholders ensures that our firm has a holistic view of legal matters.

ADCO Law is a Proud Member of the Alliott Global Alliance (AGA) in Indonesia. Founded in 1979, AGA is one of the largest and fastest-growing global multidisciplinary alliances, with 215 member firms in 95 countries.

As a law firm, we also believe in regeneration. To stay abreast of business changes and stay relevant, our formation of lawyers is comprised of the top graduates from Indonesian and international law schools.

For further details, please contact:

Alvin Mediadi, Business Development Manager, Indonesia

+628 57 234 89625, [email protected]

Maulidza Oemar, Public Relations, Indonesia

+62 877-7528-1922, [email protected]