4 Organizations, 40 Countries and Countless Learnings

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve to death. 

It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better start running.”

This famous quote from Thomas Friedman has always been, and continues to be, an inspiration for me. And, as I complete my 30th work anniversary, it is also time to reflect on what it has meant to me in real life and what learnings I have taken over the period.

My 30 year journey has involved living and working in 7 diverse markets, moving 7 times within Asia and traveling to 40 countries. The enriching experiences, cuisines and languages would be all too familiar to many of you who have chosen international careers.

The Initial Years - Growing and Exploring 

It seems all so recent but it was 2nd July, 1989, on a bright sunny morning, when I walked into the TD Bank offices in Toronto’s financial district with gleaming skyscrapers housing the headquarters of the Big 5 Canadian banks. Armed with an MBA, and fresh from a backpacking trip in Europe, I was now surrounded by bankers in pin stripe suits and slick hair back. I felt bit nervous but also confident at the same time.

I joined a 6 month Relationship Management training program, which covered not only banking but also topics such as how to dress for success and how to manage cutlery at a formal meal. Upon completion, I started with a relatively simple client portfolio.

And, in no time, learnt my first lesson. 

Less than 2 months into the Relationship role, I was asked to join a lunch with the CEO of one of my clients and it included my skip manager who had enough ‘grey hair experience’ as he put it. I was not prepared and it showed in the meeting. On the way back, while driving, my manager simply asked me “how did you do?” I was brutally honest about my lack of contribution. Without saying too many words, and maintaining his focus on the road ahead except for some timely nods, he taught me an important lesson which I have never forgotten: prepare and research for every meeting.

After this initial bump, I soon started to get recognition with more complex portfolios, sales awards, bonuses (which were less common then for junior staff like me) and promotions.

But, despite this success, it all became too routine to me. I craved for bigger challenges and high energy environments. I looked with envy at the high octane tiger economies in Asia growing at 8%, and desperately wanted to be part of the growth story.

That’s when opportunity knocked at the door...

Being an avid reader of The Economist, I came across a job advertisement for Corporate Relationship Managers with Standard Chartered Bank in Bangkok. It was a long shot but I nevertheless applied through the search firm in London. I had never been to Thailand nor had any connections to it but had marveled at its economic success.

What happened next and how fast it happened still boggles my mind!

I unexpectedly received a phone call on a Sunday night from the Bangkok office for an initial discussion. This was followed by a series of interviews and a breakfast meeting with the visiting CEO, all in a span of few weeks. Before I could realize, over the next 2 weeks, I had an offer letter in my hand. I signed it quickly, handed in my resignation, and got down to the business of unwinding my life in Toronto.

3 months from the date when I sent in my application, I arrived in Bangkok on a steamy March morning in 1995.

Stepping out of the old Don Muang airport was an eye opener. Hot and humid, noisy, bustling with activity, tuk tuks and motorcycles everywhere - it was certainly different from Toronto. I soon experienced the legendary Bangkok traffic even at 6am. On the way to the hotel, I felt awed at the economic activity - cranes dotting the sky, construction sites everywhere, street food stalls cooking appetizing meals and packed with customers even at an early hour. 

I thought to myself... this is what 8% GDP growth looks like in real life!

After initial adjustment, 10 years in Bangkok flew by quickly. I grew my client portfolio, which led to leading a team and managing a business and thereafter assumed even bigger responsibilities related to business strategy and transformation. And this led to an exciting, new opportunity for a 5 country regional role covering North Asia out of bustling Shanghai.

So, what were my main learnings from these early years?

• Take risks and have the hunger, mindset and agility to learn at all times.
• The best universities can teach technical skills but positive attitude comes from within and is ultimately the key to success. 

The next Phase - Learning and Establishing my Career 

I was excited about the move to a new market, China, which was growing at double digits. The role mandate was also challenging - to build capabilities and aggressively grow the business. Two years of successful execution in Shanghai was followed by move to Taipei, where I integrated 2 businesses and teams acquired through acquisition. And after another successful stint there, I moved to Hong Kong - my favorite city in Asia.

Things were going great!

But, almost 14 years after first coming to Asia, my search for even bigger challenges led me to a significant, unforced error.

There were plenty of signs of global economic stress in 2008, which I read about but perhaps didn’t appreciate enough. In August 2008, I left StanChart and joined a European bank in Hong Kong to spearhead their Asian expansion.

My starting date was 8th October 2008... one of the historic days when the global financial crisis blew wide open with sharp losses in stock markets worldwide. On 9th October, early morning at 6am I had a rude awakening. There was an email from the European head office whose opening lines were enough to send shivers “things are really bad and we need to wrap up Asia.” 

I was let go after my very first day.

Without a job in Hong Kong during a crisis which was just starting, and no meaningful severance package, it was a challenge unlike I had faced before.

But, there was no time to look back. Instead, I mustered all the strength I could and got down to planning my next moves.

With the power of networking, and some luck, I was soon referred to a regional role with SWIFT covering Asia Pacific. After 4 interviews in 3 days, I got the job, which I started 3 months after I lost the last one. 

By then, the markets were in free fall, and I thought I had dodged a serious bullet.

There are learnings from all experiences and this period was no different. So, what did I learn during this time?

• Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t be too afraid to make them or beat yourself up unnecessarily if you do make them, but make sure you learn from them.
• Build relationships. The Chinese call it ‘Guanxi’ and in the West it is referred to as networking but it all means nurture every relationship.

The Recent Decade

The lucky break became a launch pad for another string of exciting opportunities with ANZ over a 10 year period starting in Hong Kong, followed by Singapore and HCMC, where I built product capabilities across Asia, faced the challenges of my first global role, originated and executed key client opportunities, and grew and transformed the business in Vietnam. It led me back to Bangkok 2 years ago, the city where it all started 24 years ago.

There was an important additional learning during this time. I wholeheartedly embraced ANZ’s focus at the senior most levels to build a values led organizational culture. I believe everyone, and especially if you are leading people, need to live their values at all times.

Our world is changing rapidly driven by the twin forces of globalization and technology. Every experience, doesn’t matter how long, broad or deep, has to be supplemented with new tools, new learnings and new thinking.

As such, I made a decision recently to take a career break in order to prepare for the next 10 years of my career, with a focus on two main areas: 

• Understanding our Digital Future: Halfway through my MIT training, I am beginning to better understand the required balance between mind and machines, the role of digital platforms and power of networks, and the new world of crowd vs centralized expertise.
• New Ways of Leading: My Executive Coaches are providing me with important insights on my communication and leadership strengths, personal brand as well as blind spots I need to be aware of. This is invaluable feedback to help me refine my leadership qualities.

And, while I will always remember and carry the learnings in different phases of my career, I strongly believe the ultimate measure of our success is how we treat people and how we help others.

Among my many line managers, the one I respect the most had the greatest ability to connect and motivate his team. During the course of our various discussions, he would often say to me “when I am working for you...” While I did not take these words literally, but always tried to follow the real meaning behind his words that we need to develop and coach our team members so that they can take on our roles. 

And, help them succeed in their careers.

And, this makes getting up, and running, every day even more fulfilling.