Jacinta helps successful leaders move from change fatigue and burnouts, to peak productivity and energy, which helps maximizes the performance and potentials of their teams.
What’s your story?
I devoted 20 years of my career to some of the best-known Tech companies in the world. While I was so proud of the work that we did and be part of an industry that was responsible for many disruptive advancements of our times, I always had this nagging feeling that something was off.
What was off was that success often came at the expense of personal well-being and happiness. Profits over people- it’s one of the biggest blind spots we have, seeing them as opposing forces. Rather, to get better results, it’s about caring for our people, creating stronger culture, coaching & investing in the development of our teams.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family seeing how hard my parents worked, I grew up never wanting to have my own business. So I joined corporations. Two decades later, I found my family root sprouting back. I saw there was a problem. I knew there was a better way. In 2017, I left Microsoft to launch a coaching & consulting practice with the mission to enable more enlightened leaders. And that’s what entrepreneurship is about – seeing a need and have the agency to fill it.
What excites you most about your industry?
With digitization and social media, leadership development is no longer just reserved for C-suite in corporations with big portfolio. ANYONE who chooses to, and is willing to invest the effort and take courageous actions, can be a LEADER in their own field. Leadership development it is about unleashing one’s full potential and make a positive difference, that’s an incredibly exciting promise!
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born and grew up in Penang, Malaysia. My husband was born in Myanmar. Though we both studied outside of Asia, lived and worked in multiple cities around the world, we now call Singapore our home.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore, hands down. Start with arriving at the most efficient & pleasant airport in the world, you can grab a cab & get to town hassle free, the city is clean and safe. Government and financial services are transparent, structured, efficient with dedication to world-class customer service.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Life will ALWAYS be crazy”! How often do we tell ourselves that we will get to the gym again, golf, learn guitar, spend more time with our kids, visit our parents more often, reconnect with friends, when things are less crazy? How is that working out so far?
Everyday is a bonus to be here on this glorious earth. Decide what is most important in your life and START taking daily small steps living out what truly matters to you. Don’t wait. Life will always be crazy.
Who inspires you?
I’m always on the look out for “inspirations” around me. My 8-year old daughter inspires me each day – her pure heart, curious mind and generous acceptance of the things and people around her.
I’m connecting with you today from Chicago. Over the weekend we took a road trip. Driving into a quaint, beautiful small town where people were so friendly inspired me to be even kinder. Driving past the patches of green fields inspired me to just BE, soaking in the moment.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
I’ve been in Tech for over 20 years and the NEW possibilities that technology opens up each day, amaze me. The tools that enable us to launch & grow a global business, connect with employees, clients & partners from different parts of the world, with a few clicks, affordably, and are getting more powerful and accessible each day. I’m looking forward to the possibilities that AI, mixed reality and quantum computing be opening up in the very near future.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
My experiences – both good times & bad times are what make me who I’m today and I’m deeply grateful for that. Knowing that everything happens for a reason, I would worry less, savour each chapter and find joy along the journey.
How do you unwind?
Rebounding, swimming, meditating in my infrared sauna, turn on my favourite playlist and light a candle. I’ve set up my home to be my wellness sanctuary!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
The Maldives. The stunning blue sky, fresh air, white-sandy beaches with turquoise water – the warmth of the place and the people. I fall in love with the place and my life all over again each time we visit the place. It’s our family’s favourite holiday destination.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck
Shameless plug for your business:
If you want to take your performance, impact, career or business to the next level, check out how I can support you at www.jacintaquah.com. I blend executive coaching, change management, nutrition and wellness practices, to help successful leaders move from change fatigue and burnouts, to peak productivity and energy, maximize the performance and potentials of their teams.
How can people connect with you?
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacintaquah/
Twitter handle?
Look me up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacintaquah/
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started,
built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
