Singapore may be a first-world country, but gender inequality still exists in some form in the workplace. Five women who have broken the glass ceiling in their respective sectors and organisations share how they overcome their challenges.
Goh Swee Chen, Chairman, Shell Companies in Singapore
She has learnt to overcome perfectionism
“Most women strive for perfection, and I am no different. I soul search quite deeply when things go wrong. While it’s good to do this at times, most times we need to learn to move on and tackle the next challenge.”
Ms Goh is also the Vice President, City Solutions – New Energies, at Shell.
Aliza Knox, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Twitter
She is quite different from others in the sectors she has worked in.
“Someone called out that the way I treated clients was too informal. On other occasions, I’ve come up against the oft-cited issue of straightforward women being noted as aggressive or abrasive, an issue that may not apply to a man. In dealing with these challenges,
I have taken a two-pronged approach – one, to modify my behaviour as there are always valid points in feedback, and secondly, to build upon areas that are unique and valuable to me. For example, I am more informal than some. One colleague called me the most spontaneously funny senior executive he’d ever met. That approachability and sense of fun often helps me build client relationships that others cannot achieve.
What’s key for women – and indeed everyone – is being able to maintain self-confidence and being true to yourself.”
Lum Seow Khun, Director, Sales & Transformation, IBM Singapore
She loves to teach.
“I was motivated by the fact that through teaching, I would be able to help nurture young minds and develop their characters. After I completed my university degree, my priorities changed and I worked as a sales executive in the IT industry. My love for teaching remains, and I coach and work with young talents in their career development.
In my work with the youths of Singapore, it has been most gratifying to see an increasing number of young women who are keen to pursue both academic and career prospects in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). I subscribe to leading by example at my workplace.
Outside of the workplace, I had worked with the South East CDC to teach emerging technologies to seniors and children from less privileged backgrounds. I also facilitated and participated in the Aging Population Workshop to develop ideas on how to enhance and enrich lives with technology.”
Khoh Wan Chin, Co-founder, In Great Company Group
It is important to give back.
“I believe the contribution must be sustainable and impactful to the people it is meant to help. But taking small steps is better than taking none at all, and hopefully, we can influence our community to start taking small steps on their own. Together, we can make a significant difference.”
Rosaline Chow Koo, Founder and CEO of CXA Group
CXA is the social impact company I dreamt about building.
“I invested all my savings, and begged to borrow the rest to acquire Singapore’s largest broker and build my dream platform. It improves people’s health by repurposing money already spent on insurance by companies. I hope my personal journey and the success of CXA will inspire other women in Asia to pursue their dreams to make a positive difference.”
Inspired by these women? Not everyone has the opportunity or support system to follow dream. You can give someone a leg up by supporting these 55 charities and campaigns.
