Education
September 20, 2024

Leadership reflections from my career

Jeanette Cheah 🇦🇺🇲🇾🇺🇸
Leadership reflections from my career

As the co-founder and CEO of HEX, I’ve had the privilege of leading an incredible team and working with emerging entrepreneurs from all over the world. Confidence and leadership have been central to my journey, but I’ve learned that these qualities don’t come naturally to everyone—or even to me all the time. I firmly believe that confidence is something you build, and leadership is something you practice every day. It’s like a muscle you build the more you use it. 

For me, confidence starts with knowing yourself: your values, your mission, and your goals. Early in my career, I realised that self-awareness is the key to leading others effectively. It’s not about having all the answers but understanding where you’re going and why. Once you’re clear on that, you can inspire others to follow your vision. Leadership, to me, isn’t about control or authority—it’s about empowering people around you and creating environments where they can thrive.

I’ve also encountered imposter syndrome, as many of us do, especially women and minorities in leadership roles. It’s something we all face at some point. I’ve found that the way to overcome it is by taking action, even when you don’t feel 100% ready. Confidence grows through experience, not through waiting for the perfect moment. One of my favorite sayings is "we don’t fall down, we fall forward." The more you step up, even when you feel uncertain, the stronger your confidence becomes over time.

Another big part of my leadership philosophy is about fostering diversity in the workplace. I’m passionate about seeing more diverse representation in leadership roles, particularly in tech and entrepreneurship. I’ve always believed that when more diverse voices are involved in decision-making, the results are more innovative and impactful. This is something we focus on at HEX, where we aim to empower young, diverse leaders to develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers and make a difference in their communities.

Finally, I can’t stress enough the importance of continuous learning. Leadership is not a destination; it’s a journey of growth and resilience. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve, and every mistake is a chance to learn. I encourage everyone to embrace a growth mindset, which is essential in industries like tech where things change quickly. Staying curious and adaptable has been critical to my own success, and I believe it’s the key to unlocking your leadership potential.

Key takeaways:

  1. Confidence is built through action—don’t wait to feel ready.
  2. Know your values and mission—this will help you lead with purpose.
  3. Embrace diversity in leadership—it leads to more innovation.
  4. Leadership is about empowering others—not just taking control.
  5. Keep learning and growing—leadership is a lifelong journey.

TESTIMONIALS:

This a great unit for anyone who puts 100% of themselves into this and will definitely improve in life in many ways. - Ishani N

It was literally all about YOU and learning about one's self to help lead a more successful life. I discovered that I am a complicated person and that I've been limiting myself to an extent in terms of what my identity is and my possible career options. But the course allowed me to open and expand my thinking and not be afraid to seek new opportunities and new information. - Zaryab B

This unit definitely met my expectations and more. It was a very immersive experience and each module interplayed with each other well to develop my understanding of myself. - Mackenzie G

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