Category: Career

2 months ago, I became a mentor with FutureLab.my and Mentoring SG.

In my first sessions with 2 mentees last week, a recurring question emerged:

“𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? “

Now, here’s the truth.

Standing out requires a different mindset.
You can’t stand out with the same mentality as everyone. 😐

The sessions reminded me of my experience as a young Customer Relationship Office (CRO).

How changing my mindset would elevate my entire career trajectory.

Here are the 5 little-known mindset shifts that you can adopt today:

𝟏. 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬
→ Don’t wait for external challenges.
→ Take responsibility for your growth and participate in cross-functional projects.

𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐊𝐏𝐈𝐬
→ Don’t be limited by your current role and KPIs.
→ As a CRO, I looked beyond answering more calls to proactively explore ways to reduce my hotline’s call volume instead.

𝟑. 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠:
→ Anticipate your future roles.
→ I knew I wouldn’t answer calls in my next role. So, I planned two steps ahead to learn essential new skills to be a team leader.

𝟒. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬
→ Contribute towards work improvement.
→ People remember your ideas, not the KPIs you achieved.

𝟓. 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲
→ Ask the ‘how’ and ‘what’.
→ Step up strategically and show maturity to understand the bigger picture while others avoid ‘doing more’.

These mindset strategies turned me from a self-doubting CRO to a confident team leader within 2 years.

They paved the way for more career opportunities including being part of Singtel Group’s Myanmar market entry task force and taking up an assignment in Indonesia.

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Our mindset is akin to our second skin. 🧠
We wear it 24/7. In our work and into our life.

Whether you are starting, an established executive or a team leader, cultivating a growth mindset would allow you and your team to stand out and deliver greater impact.

Master your mindset and watch your career soar! 🚀

Recently, I spoke to several individuals affected by the latest wave of layoffs.

Amongst them were former colleagues and clients.

News from Samsung, Dyson, Love Bonito and META reminded us that 3 years after the pandemic, a new norm is here.

As companies chase cost efficiency relentlessly – faster, better, cheaper options will always win.

At the rate of AI advancement, knowledge-based roles risk being automated.

It’s reasonable to ask, “Will my role be replaced by AI soon?” 😵

If that’s you, I’d like to offer my perspective.

AI is a powerful tool.
However, it relies on past data and requires clear instructions to perform.

Without clear and precise instructions, it can’t produce the desired results.

📌 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲?

→ Do you also lean on your past and require clear instructions to deliver?
→ Or are you proactive in seeking answers and driving improvements?

Here’s the fact.

→ In today’s competitive landscape, the passives will be overlooked.

You can’t get ahead by thinking in the same way as everyone.

It requires a different mindset.

Those who stand out anticipate needs, solve problems and add value without being asked.
They are proactive, adaptable and always looking ahead.

→ Developing a Career Growth Mindset moves you from passive to proactive.

It’s about continuous learning, embracing the new and adapting to changes.

25 years of corporate experience shows me,
→ You don’t advance in your career by protecting what you know.
→ You get ahead by pushing yourself to learn what you don’t.

You can’t stop technology, but you can be competitive…
by offering what AI can’t (yet) – that is, by being proactive in adding value.

Developing a Career Growth Mindset is like having an ice-cream sundae – you get to add colors, toppings and flavors to create a career uniquely yours.

📌 What was your #1 career advice?

Some moments change the course of their lives.
These are moments of pride or regret.

Back in 2013, I had the chance to pursue my career outside Singapore.

It was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore, but also one that I was afraid.

Taking up an overseas assignment in my late 30s wasn’t a decision I took lightly.

In my mind, I was doubting ‘Are you 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙔 sure?’

→ “You haven’t led a team in 6 years!”
→ “You don’t even speak the language!”
→ “And you will be overseas alone for 2 years”

It was a choice between “playing it safe” in Singapore or leaping into the unknown in Indonesia.

My stakes were high, and the risk of failure was real. 

But I knew I didn’t want to look back and live with regrets, so I took the leap.

Settling into my new role in Jakarta wasn’t easy.

I had to learn the language, adapt to the culture, and work hard to earn the trust and respect of stakeholders.

It was tough at the beginning.

But it taught me humility, patience, and showed me the beauty of human potential through the people I worked with.

What started as a 2-year assignment turned into 4 of the most rewarding years of my career.

That experience taught me lessons I never would have learned had I “played it safe”.
It even led to a new opportunity in the e-commerce sector later on.

Looking back, I supposed my leap of faith paid off.

——–

Change is never easy.

Instead of seeking guarantees, we can learn to take calculated risks
and put our best efforts into making failing a non-option. 💪

The point is …

→ When nothing changes, nothing changes.

Sometimes, we just have to trust ourselves instead of giving in to fear.

When we do, we give ourselves a chance to succeed.

And our next chapter might turn out to be the best one yet.

 📌 Was there a time when you took a leap of faith too? How did that turn out?

It has been said the first time is the most memorable.

But what if it can also be the most disruptive?

Years ago, my former CEO shared a simple yet profound principle:

“When we allow ‘just this once,’ we open the door to excuses.”
“A small compromise will lead to a habit that could sabotage your entire effort.

Never underestimate the Power of Once.”

That was his point – when we allow ourselves a single exception,
it could change the course and set a pattern.

Studies show it takes about 66 days to form a new habit.

But it only takes one exception to break that momentum and start a mental cycle of excuses.

And for most of us, that “just once” is all it takes for our plans to go off track.

That sets me thinking – what if we could turn this power of once into something positive?

Just like one small exception can lead us off track,
taking one intentional first step forward challenges our limiting mindset
and can lead us towards the career and lifestyle we want.

What about you?

→ Was there a moment where you allowed “just once” to sabotage your progress?
→ What first step can you take to get closer to your desired career or lifestyle?
→ What results would change if you made that ‘’just once’’ choice today?

“Once” may seem insignificant.

Yet it only takes “once” to start a change.

I hope this post can be the start of a positive “once” for you.

📌 How has the power of once played out for you so far?

One of the best advices I received was when I started as a Call Centre agent.

Back then, my manager said,

“Don’t ask for opportunities. Instead, ask,
‘Am I ready when those opportunities arise?’
Because if you’re not, opportunities won’t matter. They’ll pass you by.”

His words hit me hard. They felt like a double punch.

Earlier that day, I found out the promotion that I’ve been waiting had passed me by.

How often do we focus on waiting for the “right opportunity” instead of preparing for it?

We tend to believe playing it safe by waiting is the best approach.

But is it?

Every time we choose to play it safe, we’re choosing to stay in comfort.

We stay put, waiting for the ‘right moment’, to be “more prepared”.

But what are the real costs of the waiting game?

– While we wait, competition increases.

– As we get older, fewer opportunities come our way.

– When we believe we’re not ready, others sense it too. We get overlooked.

– Over time, the career and life we desire drift further away – while we wait.

📌 So here’s something to consider:

What are you truly giving up by waiting for “YOUR” opportunity?

Remember, as you wait, time, competition and opportunities DON’T.

I have given up several times in life.

During my corporate career, I gave up on job promotion twice to pursue new roles outside of my domain.

I was motivated by the curiosity of stepping out of my comfort zone.
Back then, I didn’t anticipate each decision would set me back.

It would take another 3 years to get back to the same position I had given up on.

Looking back, I gave up 6 years of career progression to satisfy my curiosity.

Each time it was a leap of faith.
But the first time was special.

I walked away from my promotion only to step into the core of negative work dynamics in the new team.

The Vice President made known I was not welcomed on my first day.

My hiring manager resigned 8 months (it was just 2 of us in our team) after I joined, and the role I signed up for was removed.

I was assigned to another role and became an outcast.

I dreaded coming to the office.
I sat and had lunch alone for 9 months in a team that I didn’t belong.

Every day was a painful reminder of my decision to walk away from comfort.

What kept me going?

In my mind, I was clear about the reasons for giving up on my promotion. That was to gain experience in a different side of the business.
A necessary path towards my broader career goal.

But above all, I wouldn’t give up on myself.

As it turns out, trusting myself to make it through this difficult path was the right choice.
It eventually led to new opportunities which elevated my career trajectory exponentially.

So, what have l learned from giving up?

❇️ Sacrifices are what you made of it.
↳  Giving up on what serves you well hurts.
↳  But holding onto regrets (What ifs..) is more painful.

❇️ It’s the direction and not the steps that matter.
↳  At times, you have to detour or take 2 steps back to move forward.
↳  Look beyond the mountains and be guided by your North Star.

❇️ Trust yourself when your mind yells QUIT.
↳  Discomfort and doubts are what separate those who tried and those who achieved.
↳ No journey lasts forever, however dark and bumpy it may seem now.

I gave up again for the 3rd time last October to pivot into Coaching.

This time, it felt more than just a leap of faith.

6 years of detouring has made me the person who I can trust.

So, don’t feel embarrassed giving up on your past.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 👊

⏩ PS: What have you given up that made you proud? Share in comment.

Since I was a child, I have been fascinated with living overseas.

When the opportunity for an assignment in Indonesia came up in 2013, I grabbed it!

The excitement of my first overseas posting was soon met with a sense of reality.

Reality struck as I transitioned from a single contributor to a team manager.
When I found myself leading a team of 13 young talents in a completely different environment and culture overnight.

Expectations were high.

To succeed in my role, I knew I had to earn the trust and tap into the potential of my new team, fast.

In my first month, I had 1:1 coaching session with each member of my team. My intention was to understand their aspirations. So that I could support them towards achieving their goals.

In these sessions, I asked each member what they wanted for themselves, 2 years from now.

None of them was able to tell me what 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 wanted. 😐

They explained it was the first time their views were sought on what 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 wanted.
Up till then, they trusted the organization in deciding what was best for them.

We spent the next 6 months uncovering each member’s strengths and interests in work.
We continued our 1:1 monthly coaching session as a forum for a 2-way open communication.

By the end of our 4 years together, they became one of the best teams I ever had in my career.

Fast forward to last week, I found myself pondering over the same question. This time with clients and other coaches. ⏳

From our explorations, I realized in our personal and professional lives, ‘𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵’ was mostly decided by our parents and bosses (eg re-org).

They decided what was 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴 through their lenses with the best intentions.

We ended up running after or running away from what others wanted 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴. 🏃‍♂️

Over time, we lost sight of what we 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 want.

How do we know what we 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 want for ourselves?

To help us understand what truly matters, we can start by asking ourselves:

▶ What is it that makes me want it?
▶ What sacrifices would I make for it?
▶ What would having it mean to me?
▶ What would not having it tell me about myself?

There is no right or wrong.
Your answers will reveal what you want from what you 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 want.

When you know what truly matters and why, you gain clarity over your options.

It becomes the lighthouse to help you navigate through the sea of choices, wants and distractions ahead of you.

⏩ PS: Do you know what you 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 want? Share in comment.

When does good become → great?

Often, when we encounter challenges, we take on the burden alone by spending time and money on self-help solutions.

As we do that, our obstacles become 10x more overwhelming as time passes.

Doubts creep in and we question our ability to make positive changes.

A vicious cycle starts and we give up.

A misconception about coaching is that it’s to fix our flaws and weaknesses.

Here’s the fact:
𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐱; 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. 👊

Coaching is designed to help you achieve desired results faster and more sustainably without fighting your battles alone.

Here are 5 reasons why coaching can be your UNFAIR ADVANTAGE towards self-mastery. 🚀

𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫
→ We are hardwired to believe we are right. A coach examines your beliefs and biases to identify blind spots and conflicting self-talk.
🌟While others remain stuck, you act with confidence.

𝟐. 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫
→ Your dedicated guide to support you in finding your answers and succeeding.
🌟That’s when you turn wishes into wins with courage.

𝟑. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
→ Uncover your strengths and inner barriers in a safe and non-judgmental space.
🌟When you can be honest with yourself, you’ll unlock your true potential with motivation.

𝟒. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
→ We don’t know what we don’t know.
🌟While others stay in the present, you’ll move forward with clarity.

𝟓. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
→ Accelerate your growth and development.
🌟While others detour, you’ll overtake with purpose.

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Coaching empowers you to achieve goals that are important to you.
→ To step out from ‘I wish I could…’
🌟To live, achieve and enjoy more in life the way you want.

Success is a result of our choices. 🌱

Your coach could be the missing catalyst that pushes you from good → great. 😉

Do you agree? Share with us!