Career Mentor's Advice ... "The Era of Women Is Coming, Don't Lose Your Strengths" [2022 Women Forum]

Asia Economy Hosted '2022 Women Leaders Forum' Career (Seongsu) Session
Discussion by Iboram, Shinsujeong, and Choikuri on 'Career Growth, Self-Understanding, and Reflections on Seongsu'

Lee Boram, CEO of Third Age (from left), Shin Sujeong, Head of KT Enterprise Division, and Choi Kuri, Corporate Director of MS, are discussing the topic "Career (Maturity) - Career Growth and Getting to Know Myself, Concerns about Maturity" at the 2022 Women Leaders Forum hosted by Asia Economy on the 19th at Lotte Hotel, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] "Leadership has shifted from the past 'charismatic leadership' to now 'empathetic, considerate, harmonious, and attentive leadership.' The situation has become favorable for women."

On the 19th, the '2022 Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy was held at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul. At the event, a career (maturity) session discussion was held under the theme of 'career growth, self-discovery, and reflections on maturity.'

The panelists discussed what perspectives working women should have to move beyond growth toward maturity. Boram Lee, CEO of Third Age, who has experience in various foreign companies, presented the keynote. Sujeong Shin, Head of KT Enterprise Division with experience in various large corporations, and Chris Choi, Corporate Director at Microsoft (MS) headquarters responsible for investment, participated in the discussion.

Lee Boram, CEO of Third Age, is discussing "Career (Maturity) - Career Growth and Getting to Know Myself, Thoughts on Maturity" at the 2022 Women Leaders Forum hosted by Asia Economy on the 19th at Lotte Hotel, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

The panelists unanimously agreed that it is necessary to utilize surrounding resources and organizations rather than just working hard alone. Director Choi said, "When I was a junior, I took pride in myself and had a vague expectation that 'if I am smart enough, I will succeed,' and I pushed myself hard. But as a senior, it became important to consider what impactful value could be created by comprehensively integrating resources, people, organizational systems, infrastructure, and capital around me."

Director Shin agreed, explaining, "When you are a junior, survival and growth are important, but as you advance, you start thinking about how to become a leader, reflecting on values like team, organization, sharing, and giving." He added, "Next, you return to your individual competitiveness, that is, from 'I' to 'WE' and back to 'I,' and consider how to achieve results within the team, which is the career path needed."

Shin Su-jeong, Head of KT Enterprise Division, is discussing the topic "Career (Maturity) - Career Growth and Getting to Know Myself, Thoughts on Maturity" at the 2022 Women Leaders Forum hosted by Asia Economy on the 19th at Lotte Hotel, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

There was a discussion about the need for the spirit of 'Saeongjima' (a Korean proverb meaning 'a blessing in disguise') to overcome hardships and adversity. Director Shin shared, "After leaving Samsung, three of us started a venture. We gave about 100 presentations in two months but did not secure a single order. Every evening, frustrated by the lack of orders, my colleagues and I drank and stayed up all night writing proposals, and miraculously, orders started coming in after three months."

He emphasized that accumulation eventually leads to expansion. He said, "At first, the results do not match the effort, but if you wait for the right time, you will ultimately succeed."

Director Choi also responded, "Everything becomes experience. As you go through experiences, you learn how to handle things later."

When CEO Lee asked about the remaining 'gender-discriminatory elements' in our society, the two emphasized maximizing strengths and not losing confidence. Director Choi said, "(Discriminatory elements) may exist, but you cannot change your gender or environment. It is important to take a step back and maximize your strengths with the mindset of 'I succeeded because of what I did.'"

Choi Kri, MS Corporate Director, is discussing the topic "Career (Maturity) - Career Growth and Getting to Know Myself, Thoughts on Maturity" at the 2022 Women Leaders Forum hosted by Asia Economy on the 19th at Lotte Hotel, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Director Shin said, "It is true that Korea is a male-centered society, but fortunately, the world is changing." He added, "I hope women do not lose their strengths as women. I believe that if women actively step forward, they can develop with sufficient strengths."

Finally, there was a call for securing various career elements. Director Shin emphasized, "Now is not the era of a 'career path' but a 'career portfolio.' We need to break away from the idea that we can do only one specific job for life. It is necessary to create many 'darts' and combine them well."