How do you thrive at work and not just survive? How do you build meaningful relationships while staying true to yourself? 

My guest Shan Wen is an award-winning leader from Australia who initiated a mentorship program across Asia Pacific at VMware. At work, she noticed many women feeling deflated and overwhelmed, simply surviving rather than thriving. We discuss what it takes to move beyond survival mode and create environments where women can truly flourish.

Later, we hear from my friend Fatim, Managing Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. Having moved from the UK to Singapore following her husband, she shares her journey of rebuilding her career from scratch in a new environment. She opens up about handling rejection, managing self-doubt, and finding her authentic leadership style while navigating the delicate balance of gender expectations in the workplace.

We tackle questions like:

• What can we do if we feel stuck and unmotivated?

• What's the right way to approach potential mentors?

• How do you handle feedback without spiraling?

• How do you build authentic relationships in a professional setting?

• Why is investing in yourself not selfish?

  
  

Here is What We Talk About:

➡️ The Power of Circles: The importance of peer-to-peer mentorship and creating spaces where women can be unapologetically messy, ambitious and fabulous. Unlike friends who may hesitate to give tough feedback, these circles provide real "mirror in the face" advice.

➡️ Skills for Success: Delivering your best work requires both hard and soft skills. While technical excellence is non-negotiable, skills like owning a room, communicating with confidence, and navigating power dynamics are equally crucial for women to thrive.

➡️ Creating Inclusive Environments: Individual actions can drive systemic change. Small steps advocating for those who find it hard to speak up can create more inclusive workplaces that support caregivers and promote work-life balance.

➡️ Building Authentic Relationships: Success isn't just about technical brilliance—it's about creating trust and genuine connections. Focus on authentic networking that plays to your strengths rather than forcing yourself into uncomfortable situations.

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