In celebration of International Women’s Day (and Women’s History month), Kerry Consulting is interviewing excellent female leadership among our consultants’ networks.
In today’s interview, Axer Goh sat down to chat with Shui-Min Tan, Chief Information Technology Officer at National University of Singapore.
请阅读下面的访谈全文：
Shui-Min Tan, Chief Information Technology Officer at National University of Singapore
“There is no need to prove yourself just because you are a woman. Focus on the task and let your efforts speak for themselves.”
问：国际妇女节对您来说意味着什么？
A: International Women’s Day is about celebrating working females. In Singapore, I do think that overall, we are very progressive, tending to have equal representation at work. But I do believe that it is important to always champion strong female leadership to inspire younger women who are keen to enter the workforce.
Q: This year’s slogan for IWD is #BreaktheBias – how do you interpret that message?
A: I have not encountered gender bias working in Singapore, but in my previous work trips to some underdeveloped countries I have been in situations where women were not taken seriously. They were seen as unreliable, or their credibility was challenged. I saw this in countries where chauvinistic culture is more present.
问：在您的一生中，您看到在性别平等方面取得了哪些进展？
A: I think Singapore started on the right foot in encouraging women to join the workforce. We have scarce resources, and as such it is imperative that organisations attract talent from both genders.
I do recall that, in years past as a working mum, my mother faced inequality. For example, she was covered under a pension scheme that only covered herself, whereas my uncle had a scheme that covered both him and his spouse.
I don’t believe that much of the blatant type of inequality seen in that situation is present today in Singapore. But I do think that we need to remain scrutable and transparent, to make sure that we do not end up in those types of situations again.
问：为什么工作场所的多样性很重要？
A: Different genders bring different perspectives. Men and women working together can create richer solutions to problems, coming up with more creative approaches. Of course, diversity is about more than gender; it’s about the melding of unique viewpoints and backgrounds within an organisation, striving for a culture that genuinely represents modern society.
Q: What does female leadership bring to an organisation’s culture?
A: I recently encountered a survey that said when a senior management team is comprised of men and women they perform better and get stronger results. I believe that this is because men and women working together provide richer solutions by accommodating different scenarios. Having a management team made up of one gender is not ideal.
“Different genders bring different perspectives. Men and women working together can create richer solutions to problems.”
问：怎样才能最有效地消除对女权主义的负面成见，尤其是在工作场所？
A: Women need to be assured that they can break through any perceived “glass ceiling” in the workplace.
By focusing on the task at hand and doing your job well you will prove your worth. Certain types of jobs are not pre-destined to be filled by a specific gender. Understand that if you put in the effort then you fully deserve the position.
Q: How can female leaders lift other women in the workplace?
A: Encourage female colleagues to focus less on being treated differently or expecting to be treated differently. Lift women by empowering them to achieve their goals and encouraging them to take on new challenges.
Q: Tell us about some of the struggles you have faced as a female Tech leader.
A: Juggling family and work is difficult. As a working mother, balancing your time between taking care of your family needs and building a career can be arduous. Oftentimes, women must sacrifice aspects of their career for caring for family. As for me, I sacrifice my sleep and “me” time to spend time with my son and build my career.
Q: Tell us about a valuable lesson you were taught by another woman.
A: All female leaders that I have encountered have been very different individuals, and I have learned a lot from each of them. They taught me to be more understanding and to have more empathy for my co-workers, subordinates, and partners.
问：您对进入现代商业环境的年轻女性有何建议？
A: Focus on the Job, know what you like, go after what you are passionate about, and you will do well. There is no need to prove yourself just because you are a woman. Focus on the task and let your efforts speak for themselves.
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