I like you to stop reading and think about it.
Seriously, take all the time you need.
More often than not, when I ask this question, it takes people at least a minute to come up with one.
Some people start with: “Well…I really don’t know any executives but I know a VP who…”
Some respond: “I can’t think of any VPs but I know a few female directors or managers who …”
Oftentimes, people say: “I don’t know about any immigrant, senior female directors but I know an immigrant guy who …”
Sometimes, the response is “I honestly can’t think of anyone. That’s sad.”
The difficulty to think of one that meets the criteria is the exact reason I am writing a white paper on “how 1st & 2nd generation immigrant female leaders rise to the top (or not)”.
You see, as a 1st generation immigrant woman leader myself, I am considered a “drop-out” in the tech industry.
I’ve spent 20 years in the U.S. and 15 years in the tech industry in silicon valley. I struggled to balance my authenticity, purpose, culture differences, and career growth. Over the years, I un-learned some of the things in the “play book” from my culture: work hard, be good at everything, and keep your heads down. It got me a job easily but not advancing my career.
Instead, I learned the “white-male American way” of doing things: speak out for myself, always project positive body language and confidence (especially in making quick decisions), and do not show vulnerability.
It helped some, I got promoted into a managerial role. Again and again I managed big teams and most important initiatives. I became known for strategic thinking, building self-sustainable teams, and creating empathetic leaders.
However, along the way, I lost a part of me – the self that I left behind in order to climb the corporate ladder.
It was not a happy nor fulfilling period of my life.
Thankfully, through deep inner work and coaching, I gradually found the way back to myself. I integrate the old and the new. I pick and choose my values and who I want to be as a leader. I speak out what I believe into the world and see how it changes life.
Now, instead of dropping out as an immigrant woman engineering leader, I am leaning in to serve! I want to help 1st & 2nd generation immigrant women leaders to build authentic and energetic leadership. I want to help them to truly speak up for themselves, selfishly dream big and get out of the exhaustion loop.
The first step of me serving this group is interviewing 1st & 2nd generation immigrant leaders (Director & above). I would love to interview both men and women since my suspicion is that immigrants regardless gender might be under similar unconscious bias and limiting beliefs.
If this is you, I would love to speak to you! If you know someone, I would love to be introduced. I want to learn about their dreams, doubts, fears, challenges, and breakthroughs along the way. Everyone’s stories offer me different insights into understanding where we might get stuck and how to unstuck ourselves!
Please DM or email me for a fun and enlightening conversation. I promise to share what I learn in return!
Love,
Wen
P.S.