Suzanne Provides Personal Development for Lasting Change and Growth
What’s your story?
I have 30+ years experience in the People industry, through Human Resources, Learning & Development, talent and leadership with a qualification in Social Work. My passion lies with people, psychology and human development. My philosophy encompasses a true belief in people gaining self-awareness, understanding their passions and motivations and then making choices to create happy, successful and fulfilled lives.
What excites you most about your industry?
I love that coaching can help brilliant people become even better. Coaching provides an objective, safe space for exploration which is a facilitated discovery. The answers totally lie within the client and I help them realize they have access to such abundance.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I moved to Hong Kong in 2007 and lived there until 2015, when I moved to the Thai island of Koh Samui. My work in Asia has involved working within organizations covering the Asia Pacific region, supporting Learning & Development, Talent Development and Leadership. I started my own business approximately 10 years ago and fully transitioned to working at it full time, last year. I have been fortunate to work in MANY Asian countries and experience different cultures, industries and, of course, the many different cuisines. Asia is definitely “home” for me!
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
It’s got to be Hong Kong. I love the raw mix of East and West, the connection to China, the cosmopolitan globalness and the traditional culture. It makes for a very interesting and exciting place to work.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
A previous boss of mine once said: “I want you to clear 50% of your schedule – I am paying you to think.” This made me realize how, as humans, we often strive to keep doing stuff, and therefore valuing “doing” over “thinking,” which often feels as though we are not doing anything! I think many people who are transitioning into more senior leadership roles struggle with this concept too. We need to shift our value of purely “doing” into other areas including, thinking, strategising, planning, communicating and relationship building.
Who inspires you?
My husband. He has been on an eternal quest for happiness and doesn’t follow social norms. He truly knows himself, knows what matters to him and what he will and won’t do. He is my rock!
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
I have just read up on Optionality, the practice of focusing on gathering options, like ideas, experiences, etc., to position oneself to be ready for opportunities. Not needing to make decisions until a decision needs to be made, but purely being ready and open to opportunities, results in seeing more opportunities to take, or not.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Nothing. I don’t have any regrets, nor do I dwell on the past. I simply see it as a learning experience, or training ground, for where I am now, and where I want to go.
How do you unwind?
Physical exercise is key for me. I have always played sports and exercised. I love the buzz from the natural endorphins and the sense of accomplishment afterwards. I played competitive netball both in the UK and in HK, and loved the competition, the thrill of the game and the camaraderie of the team. I definitely sleep well after a good workout!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Koh Samui, my home! I live in an amazing place with a view of the ocean from my window. Thai life forces you to slow down and take things as they come. I feel very fortunate to live here, though it took hard work and determination!
Everyone in business should read this book:
I really enjoyed “You are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth,” by Jen Sincero. Despite the title being designed to grab attention, there are a lot of philosophical elements that tap into the human condition of feeling guilty about being successful. Lots of aha moments for me in this book.
Shameless plug for your business:
I am a professional Executive and Leadership Coach and Facilitator, working across Asia Pacific and the globe. I have 30+ years of experience in the People industry and help individuals, teams and organizations transition to the next level. I am often unconventional in my approach, and people who are really “ready” for the next challenge, will benefit from working with me. I believe in a coaching relationship being a true partnership.
How can people connect with you?
Through my website www.suzanne-silver.com
or Email [email protected]
Twitter handle?
@suzannesilver3
—
This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connects’ 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 and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
Connect with Callum on Twitter and LinkedIn
Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
