A note to young professionals:

As a young professional embarking on a career journey, the experience can be daunting just like setting sail on uncharted waters - not knowing what to do or where to head. Having navigated these professional seas for a couple of decades, I would like to share some lessons learned and wisdom that have shaped my own voyage.

Your professional journey will be filled with opportunities and challenges, especially, in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing professional landscape. From this perspective, it is crucial to strengthen your intangible characters, not just rely on hard knowledge, to achieve success, however you define it.

Continuous learning, taking risks, confidence, and perseverance are some of the characteristics that I want to highlight. In life, we may not always possess all the information or knowledge needed to be excel in what we do. However, the ability to navigate challenges and continue professional growth depends on your intangible qualities such as those mentioned above.

• Continuous learning

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou

Be open to learning, embrace change and growth, actively apply new knowledge, and strive to do your best. As you gain more knowledge and experience in a particular area, you deepen your understanding, but your overall perspectives may also evolve, and you may come to understand things in different ways. This may lead to adjusting your actions and decisions accordingly. I have been fortunate to work in various functional areas and have gained valuable insights throughout this journey. It is all coming together, contributing improvements in both my understanding and actions.

• Taking risks

“There is freedom waiting for you,

On the breezes of the sky,

And you ask "What if I fall?"

Oh but my darling, What if you fly?”

-?Erin Hanson

Recently, I came across this beautiful poem by a young Australian poet Erin Hanson, which resonates deeply with me. It encourages embracing risks and suggests that the potential for success and growth is worth overcoming the fear of failure. The idea is to focus on the possibility of “flying” and achieving something great, rather than being held back by the fear of falling or making mistakes. There were times in my career when I faced challenging tasks, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle them. Looking back now, I am glad that I did. Those challenges have contributed significantly to my personal growth.

• Confidence

“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust is not in the branch, but in its own wings." -?Charles Wardle

Always believe in yourself and maintain confidence. This belief is closely tied to taking risks mentioned above, as one cannot embark on a risk without being confident. Early in my career, I led various enterprise-wide initiatives without knowing how they would unfold. However, I trusted in my capabilities, and furthermore, my leadership had confidence in my abilities, which proved to be immensely beneficial. In return, I gained additional confidence through these experiences.

There is a fine line between confidence and overconfidence, but navigating challenging assignments provides valuable self-discovery. Engage in self-reflection and consider what you've learned. This process contributes to personal growth and enhances your confidence. Additionally, take initiative and embrace calculated risks; they can lead to significant advancements in your career, pushing you beyond your current limits.

• Perseverance

You don’t determine a person’s greatness by their talent, wealth, or education. You determine a person’s greatness by what it takes to discourage them.” - Jerry Falwell Sr.

We all experience highs and lows in our careers, more broadly in our lives. The magnitude may vary, but overall, it is inevitable. However, the ability to withstand challenges, setbacks, and discouragement will provide you with the opportunity to continue your journey, correct the course, or even rechart the path using lessons learned. Sometimes, setbacks have nothing to do with your abilities, and you just need to try again.

I felt compelled to share these thoughts, hoping that my words offer you some wisdom from my experiences, guiding you through the twists and turns of the professional landscape. Ultimately, you must chart your own course to success.

Best of luck to you all, regardless of the path you are on!