[Women’s Forum 10th Anniversary] "I am the CEO of my life... Take ownership and proactively manage your career"

Words from Mentors...

Seo Jihee, Samjeong KPMG Vice President: "It's okay to rest if it's too hard... but Never Ever Give Up!"
Park Hyunnam, Deutsche Bank CEO: "Set goals and prepare step by step... demonstrate your abilities when opportunity comes"
Yeon Kyunghee, Hunet HRD Division CEO: "Don't limit to women, show leadership... be a presence that gives positive influence"

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Jung Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and other female leader mentors are attending the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th, posing for a photo. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Ji-hwan Park and Hyun-jin Jung] On the 27th, the 10th mentor group attending the ‘2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum’ held at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, unanimously advised women that if they approach everything with a challenging spirit and a never-give-up attitude, opportunities will surely come. They cautioned that difficulties are inevitable in challenges, but if one constantly strives and prepares to compensate for their shortcomings, a day will come when they are rewarded many times over. They also advised that rather than running straight ahead, it is important to look around and focus on relationships as a virtue of success. The message was also conveyed that one must become a person who can exert a positive influence as a member of society, which will make their own success shine even brighter.

◇ "If you never give up, you will shine someday" = Seo Ji-hee, Vice President of Samjeong KPMG and head of the 10th mentor group, said that speed control and a never-give-up mindset are important for female juniors. Vice President Seo emphasized, "If you ever feel too exhausted, it’s okay to stop and rest for a while. However, under any circumstances, Never Ever Give Up, never give up." She added, "Do not compare your pace with others; you should go at your own pace." Baek Hyun-wook, Director of the Biomedical Research Center at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital’s Clinical Nutrition Department, also stressed, "Do not fear failure, and you must endure and survive not only at work but also at home. In this process, you should not only work but also know how to efficiently express your thoughts and achievements and be sensitive to change."

There was also advice that ‘challenge’ is the most meaningful first step to creating a success story. Lee Eun-sook, Director of the National Cancer Center, said, "If you have a goal you want to achieve, you must challenge it. Even if the situation looks difficult at first, if you keep trying steadily, at some point all problems will be easily solved and become opportunities. If it’s something you truly want, keep going. At some point, the opportunity will come with a ‘ta-da’ moment." Kim Yang-mi, CEO of Wowon, also said, "The phrase ‘You can do it’ is passive because success depends not only on one’s will but also on environment, timing, and luck. I use the phrase ‘You grow by doing it.’ Even if not every challenge leads to success, it can be a good opportunity to build skills."

On the 27th, attendees are listening to the keynote speech by Sohail Inayatullah, the inaugural chair of the UNESCO Futures Committee, at the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◇ "Polish your dreams" = There was also advice that one must sweat endlessly toward their dreams. Kim Mi-gyun, CEO of CJON, said, "A raw stone cannot become a sparkling jewel unless it is cut and polished. Currently, we are like raw stones. Our dreams will also become valuable like jewels only after continuously colliding and polishing the rough surface until it shines." Park Hyun-nam, CEO of Deutsche Bank, said, "Only those who are prepared can seize the opportunity to leap forward. I have seen many cases where people missed opportunities because they were not prepared when the chance came. Set mid- to long-term career goals for 2, 5, and 10 years ahead and prepare steadily so that when the opportunity comes, you can demonstrate your capabilities." There was also advice to take 100% ownership of one’s life. Kim Myung-hee, CEO of Culture Tree, said, "The elevated status of Korea and the new paradigm shift in the global environment are turning points that open more diverse and innovative career opportunities for female leaders. Rather than settling for the present, I hope you look further ahead and become the protagonist by taking ownership as the CEO of your life and managing your career proactively."

◇ "In the end, what remains are people" = Lee Kang-ran, CTO (Vice President) of Changshin INC, pointed out the importance of relationships in work and life. Lee said, "Looking back at myself as a ‘workaholic,’ what remains in the end are people. While growing through work is important, what matters most is being connected through each other’s lives with colleagues who have grown together. That seems to be meaningful growth." Yeon Kyung-hee, Head of HRD Division at Hunet, urged, "Leadership should be exercised not only as women but as human beings and members of society. It is important to become a presence that can exert a positive influence, not just a simple member." There was also advice that sometimes a mindset of taking losses is necessary rather than always focusing on calculating every move. Ha Ji-won, CEO of Eco Mom Korea, said, "Don’t calculate; take losses. In the end, that becomes a great gift to yourself."