Ep 2 – The Hidden Strengths Asian Women Leaders Bring Abroad

The Identity Mix-Up of Working in a New Country

Let’s talk real talk. Moving to a new country for work is both exciting and tough. Back home, you knew how things worked. People got you. Your voice was heard. Your path forward seemed clear.

One of the women I mentor, Mei, put it perfectly. She’s a tech director from Taiwan who told me: “Back in Taipei, I knew who I was at work. Six months after moving to Chicago, I was questioning everything, wondering if I was being ‘too Asian’ or ‘not American enough’.”

I bet you know what I mean. You’re always trying to balance what feels like opposite expectations:

“Speak up more!” But hey, don’t sound pushy.

“Think bigger picture!” But don’t rock the boat.

“Build more connections!” But do it the way we do it here.

Exhausting, right?

When People Put You in the “Model Minority” Box

You know what I’ve seen happen a lot? Asian women working abroad often get labeled as the “model minority” — great workers but not seen as leaders. This creates what many call the “bamboo ceiling” that limits our advancement.

A Harvard Business Review study found that Asian Americans are the least likely group to be promoted into management positions, despite having the highest education levels. For Asian women, this bamboo ceiling is even stronger.

I felt this myself when I was running the Purchasing Center at Henkel. My colleagues would ask me to handle all the details but rarely invited me to shape the big decisions.

This happens in three main ways:

First, people expect you to excel at doing the work, but not at deciding what work should be done.

Second, when you’re thoughtful or focus on harmony (like many of us were taught), people mistake it for not being “leader material.”

Third, your ability to adapt gets misunderstood as not having strong opinions.

Any of that feel familiar?

Breaking Through the Bamboo Ceiling While Being True to Yourself

Here’s what I’ve learned: This isn’t about losing yourself. It’s about growing into a bigger version of yourself while maintaining your Asian identity.

Let me share three simple ways that have helped women I mentor stay true to themselves while moving ahead in their careers:

First, remember what makes you special. Like how we Asians often build relationships before jumping into business? That’s not wasting time—that’s smart relationship investing!

One woman I work with, Jia, made this her strength. When talking to her bosses, she’d say things like, “My team has the lowest turnover because I take time to understand what motivates each person before assigning work.” Her approach wasn’t just “being nice”—it was getting results.

Second, be picky about what you change. You don’t need a complete makeover!

I had my own lightbulb moment when I realized I could keep my team-focused approach but just tweak how I talk about ideas. I didn’t have to become aggressive—I just needed to say my conclusion first, then explain my thinking.

Third, help people understand the value you bring. They won’t figure it out on their own!

My friend Lin, who moved from China to Australia, started saying things like, “From what I’ve seen work in Asian markets, this approach succeeds because…” That simple phrase helped people connect her background to valuable insights.

Using Your Cultural Intelligence as Your Secret Weapon

Here’s something cool: your cultural intelligence—your ability to understand and navigate different cultures—is becoming one of the most valuable skills a leader can have.

When I set up the procurement team for Citibank in Manila, I could understand both Western expectations and Asian work styles. This helped me solve communication problems that had been causing headaches for months.

Try these simple ways to show your cultural understanding as a strength:

First, share how you see things from different angles. When your team is talking about new markets or products, that’s your chance to offer your unique take.

Second, remind people (in a casual way) that figuring out a new culture shows you’re a quick learner. You’ve already handled one of the biggest changes a person can make—that’s impressive!

Third, connect your background to what your company needs right now. Are they trying to reach new markets? Improve how teams work together? Your experience is gold for these challenges.

Bringing Your Whole Self to Your Work Abroad

I want you to know something important: you don’t have to choose between being true to your roots and moving ahead in your career. The best leaders bring their whole selves to work.

Companies today need people who can bridge different viewpoints, make everyone feel included, and navigate complicated situations. That’s exactly what your experience has prepared you to do!

So please don’t hide parts of yourself just to fit in. Instead, help expand what leadership looks like at your organization.

Your unique mix of cultural background, professional skills, and global experience isn’t something to downplay—it’s your special signature as a leader.

Bring your full Asian self to your career abroad. We need your genuine leadership.

Be yourself and make your impact!