“At work, I’m known as ‘tiger mum’. It’s not mainly because I’m fierce plus demanding, but due to the fact I’m very protective, ” she said.
Taking on the part of the nurturer emerged naturally for Chua – the second associated with five siblings – who grew up inside an one-bedroom flat in Beach Road.
“I learned to consider responsibilities. In my daily interactions with users of the community, which includes butchers and fishball noodle vendors, I witnessed life in most its quirks and challenges and I created the drive to operate hard.
“Humble backgrounds are often seen as limitations. But for me personally, having four some other siblings cultivated our habits of team-work and the capacity in order to care for others, ” said Chua.
Still, Chua found herself having to adjust her “mama bear” personal brand in order to professional life.
“I’ve got mentors tell me I’m way too protective. One of these said I had to let people realize themselves that they have to modify – that I can’t keep telling them to change.
“I’ve learned that you simply need to point individuals in the right direction so that they can realise independently that they have to make certain changes. It’s more powerful compared to telling them to alter, ” she stated.
ON LEADERSHIP AND MOTHERHOOD
Decades of encounter working in the same company is part of the basis on which she develops her success like a managing director, but Chua insists no one is ever one hundred per cent prepared to get a new role.
“Before we all go into a new part, there’s a lot of self-doubt. That’s perfectly fine. I find that women particularly like to make sure we’re 110 per cent ready before we go into a role.
“But take it from me – you are never going to be fully prepared, ” she said.
Despite moving gender perceptions, the mother of two declared that women who take on new roles generally have “a lot more consideration” when it comes to their kids and family, compared to their particular male counterparts.
To remove “roadblocks” to ensure that such women have no to choose between duties at home and accepting a leadership part at work, Chua offers cultivated a tradition of teamwork plus flexibility.