Point of view
Annie Tao
Director Commercial Banking Shanghai
What does diversity mean to you?
Diversity for me means people of different religions, races, ethnicities, cultures and gender existing together in harmony, free of prejudices. More importantly, diversity means an acceptance of differences and heterogeneity in opinions, backgrounds, experiences, and not letting differences divide people, but rather getting the best out of people and sparkling ideas through the collision of differences.
Are the challenges for women who aspire to rise to senior roles different in different countries and cultures?
The world is getting flatter and flatter. Irrespective of country or culture, I think the biggest challenge facing all career women is their double burden – motherhood and management, which drains energy in a particularly challenging way. Asian career women are better supported compared to their Western counterparts for household duties and child-caring by live-in maids and parents. However, they don’t have flexible work solutions as their Western counterparts normally are entitled to, and they are expected to take care of elderly parents. How to handle that? Same as work, it is all about prioritising activities and managing resources and getting the support of fellow workers (ie, family members).
It’s often said men and women are different and have different leadership qualities. Do you agree?
I disagree with the approach that women need to change themselves to behave or lead exactly as men do to rise to management roles. Women bring distinct personality and motivational strength to leadership which could serve well to complement their male counterparts. A woman’s inclusive style of leadership - incorporating facts and perspectives from as many sources as possible in decision making facilitates consensus-building. They exhibit endurance and persistence under pressure.
What you think of ING’s target to have 33% of its senior leadership women by 2015?
I think this is great initiative. I am sure it will contribute significantly to our bank’s shared priorities of becoming a TOP EMPLOYER. The process to develop female leaders to fulfil their potential, and navigate them through the path to become more self-confident and effective leaders, also helps the organization to retain and get the best of their talented group.
Have you ever experienced any obstacles as a woman during your career?
I have experienced obstacles in my career, for sure – nobody could be exempted I guess. But I don’t see it particularly associated with being a woman.
What advice would you give to women who want to move up the ranks?
We have to take ownership of our own professional development. The only person responsible for our professional development is ourselves, not our boss, not the HR department. Take the time to gain a higher level of self awareness – what your strengths and weaknesses really are, ask yourself do you have the necessary skills or capabilities to get you to where you want to be, and if not, making strides to embrace continuous improvement on your own or with your manager’s help (you will be surprised to find he/she could be very supportive and open to this). Don’t leave your career development to chance.
