When we need career advice and tips on staying at the top of our game, we naturally turn to the trailblazing Great Women of Our Time alumni.
When we need career advice and tips on staying at the top of our game, we naturally turn to the trailblazing Great Women of Our Time alumni.
HOW TO…
BE A LEADER
Gillian Tan Founder, Clicknetwork & Munkysuperstar Pictures, 37
When Gillian made her first foray into the video production industry 14 years ago, she was a young 23-year-old navigating a man’s world. “It took a while to earn the respect of my crew, especially since most of them were men older than me,” she says. Today, she’s leading not one, but two of Singapore’s most successful online video production companies. Here’s how the tenacious woman earned her way to the top:
Work from empathy. “You have to be able to put yourself in the shoes of those you work with, so that the working relationship isn’t one-sided. If you’re just delegating without understanding where others are coming from, it can cause miscommunication and unhappiness. It also means being able to keep an open mind. There is something to learn from everyone, whether he’s a newbie or a veteran.”
Communicate your vision clearly. “You have to first know what you want and then be clear in communicating it. Be aware of how others react when you’re talking, as it will help you understand if they’re confused or not. Keep asking questions to make sure you’re understood; just because it seems clear in your head doesn’t always mean it’s clear for others. And don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong.”
Learn how to separate your emotions. “As a leader, you have to make difficult decisions that won’t please everyone, but you just have to make the call and do whatever is right and fair. Even if it’s not a popular decision, stick with it if it’s better for the company in the long run.”
Listen to voices that matter. “Criticism from the public or from people I don’t know well doesn’t really bother me, because most of the time it’s just noise. The kind of criticism that hits me the hardest is usually from those close to me or from people I respect. In cases like these, I’ll reflect and see how I can change to be better.”
HOW TO…
MARKET YOUR EXPERIENCE
Yvon Bock Founder & Managing Director, Hegen, 39
After working for several years in her family’s baby product manufacturing business, it was mum-of-four Yvon’s journey of motherhood that inspired her to start her own company in 2015, designing a revolutionary line of baby bottles to enhance the nursing experience for mothers. This is how she turned her personal experiences into a successful brand and business that’s expanded overseas to countries including China and the Philippines:
Believe every experience is worth something. “Don’t underestimate the value you bring to the table. Be willing to share and learn from old and new experiences. One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt from working with my father is to always learn from your experiences, both good and bad, and innovate from there. It is only then that we can better ourselves and the business.”
Think about how you can make a difference to others. “After having my third child, I began noticing gaps in the market for products that specialised in helping mums breastfeed or keeping breast milk intact. This was the spark that led to Hegen, so we could make a difference to breastfeeding mothers all over the world. So whether in the corporate world or your personal life, understand your strengths and passions and find ways to make a difference.”
Use social media to your advantage. “These days, digital marketing is no longer an option, but a given. It’s the fastest way of getting your message across to audiences, to showcase the how and why of what you do.”
HOW TO…
ACHIEVE BALANCE
Dr Elaine Kim Co-Founder, Trehaus & CRIB; and palliative care doctor, HCA Hospice Care, 35
On top of being a doctor, the resolute entrepreneur juggles multiple business ventures and non-profit work while raising three boys – and still finds time to travel with her family. Here, Dr Kim shares her top tips on managing it all:
Know why you do what you do. “Every vocation I take up stems from an alignment with my values and desire to make a positive social impact on society, which helps me prioritise the different aspects of my life. As a palliative care doctor, I give patients in their twilight years support with comfort and care. With CRIB, I empower women to reach their full potential; and the co-working space Trehaus was founded with my own role as a working parent in mind.”
Surround yourself with good support. “I’m blessed to have a supportive family, helpers and also business partners who step in when I’m on maternity leave (and vice versa). My faith also helps ground me, especially during the difficult times.”
Find creative solutions. “Look for ways to be close to your kids and work at the same time. I work as a doctor in the morning, then spend my afternoon working at Trehaus so I get to have my 15-month-old son with me. Don’t be afraid to have creative discussions with your employer!”
HOW TO…
FIND JOY AT WORK
Tay Su-Lyn Founding Partner, Violet Oon Singapore, 41
As one of the driving forces behind her mother’s culinary empire, Su-Lyn’s unwavering dedication and enterprising spirit is palpable. Despite working in one of the most demanding and competitive industries with gruelling hours – F&B – this is how the intrepid woman inspires herself and her team to keep their heads up and find happiness on the job.
Work with vision. “The road ahead may be long and hard, but having a vision will give you that drive to wake up and keep going. One bad day doesn’t change the vision and the path you need to take to reach your goal. What motivates me is the knowledge that there’s still so much we want to accomplish and achieve. I love the creative process of bringing Singapore food to the rest of the world, so I’m really focused on achieving this vision.”
Invest in building relationships. “It’s fun to work with passionate people, because you’re all working together towards a bigger goal. This requires investing in time and effort, and treating co-workers with respect and kindness. I see my role as a nurturer: Giving my team the skills and tools to do their jobs better, and this helps create an enriching environment to work in.”
Cultivate a positive work setting. “My team has a group chat where we celebrate good reviews and learn from the bad ones in an encouraging way. When there’s a problem, it’s not about pointing fingers, but about helping each other find ways to better the system.”
PHOTOS: JEFF CHANG, NICKY LOH, YANN CLOITRE, GILLIAN TAN, YVON BOCK, DR ELAINE KIM, TAY SU-LYN
