I became very interested in the "glass ceiling" topic ever since I heard about this term as a freshman in college. This invisible career barrier is prevalent in Corporate America, politics, Silicon Valley, and beyond - it hinders minority professionals from reaching the top of whatever mountains they're climbing. I was a bit upset by it because I'm a firm believer of the American Dream, and this social issue seemed to contradict this splendid dream that many people have. At a 2015 conference at Harvard Business School, I asked the keynote speaker, Angela Chao, Deputy Chairman of Foremost Group, a question about glass ceiling. What Angela said that day still inspires me two years later. She recognized this social issue, but at the same time, she challenged me to think beyond the victim mentality. She asked me, "What can you do to be part of the solution?"
Month: March 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM__xlwiqiQ&rel=0 Interviewed by Nemo Ashong, ActuarialJourney to talk about my actuarial journey from Temple University to the workplace: challenges I had and things I learned along the way: extra-curricular activities, preparing for actuarial exams, privatization, power of seeking help, time management, growth mindset, etc. Journey on! 🙂 Read an article about ActuarialJourney (formerly known as ProSocial Learning) … Continue reading Interview: Z’s Actuarial Journey
Jack Welch, one of America's most legendary CEOs of all time, increased General Electric (GE)'s value by over 40-fold during his 20-year tenure as the chief. From a chemical engineer in GE's plastics division, to the company's youngest VP and eventually the Chairman and CEO, his professional journey is the embodiment of growth. Some people love him with passion, some despise his views on many things, but I do believe we all can learn something immensely valuable from his professional success. As I'm reading this book, I constantly reflect on myself, and discovered so many pearls of wisdom. The following are my top takeaways from each of the four sections in his bestseller, Winning
In 2015, I participated in a Chinese cooking challenge: make a Chinese dish with ingredients found in an American supermarket. Fun time! 😀
Ronald Chang, President, UPS Capital; Chairman, NAAAP Board of Directors: "Busy people always find ways to do multiple tasks at the same time. That's what leadership and good management skills all about: you being able to work with others.. be part of a team to deliver results."
Success is never owned; it is only rented, and the rent is due every day. - Rory Vaden
Mindset is a great book discussing something all successful people, from kids to CEOs, have in common: a growth mindset. I've read a few books talking about the importance of the way we think, Dr. Dweck did a great job tying different examples together to illustrate one of the most important paradigm shifts one can have: fixed mindset --> growth mindset. Below is are my top three takeaways:
An amazing memoir by Nike's co-founder, Shoe Dog chronicles Phil Knight's journey from a college grad doing soul searching to founding a company with a team of extremely talented misfits like him. Phil narrated his stories so well that I felt I'm reliving the moments with him. My top takeaways from this book:
1. Do what you believe in;
2. 2. Grow and compete with yourself;
3. Be fearless and fail fast;
4.It's more than business.
WeZBest 