I landed in the world of tech by accident and never looked back. After a couple of internships at a few startups in Singapore and Hong Kong, I took up the opportunity to join a healthtech startup, DocDoc. It was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have made thus far.
For the next few years, the company launched new products, expanded into new markets, raised funds from notable investors, grew its employee base across Asia, and received recognition for its mission by the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.
As the company grew, my role and scope of work grew along with it. I got to wear several hats during my time here, from Digital Marketing to Brand building to Public Relations and Communications. I also got to pitch in my efforts on several other areas such as Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, investor relations, etc.
None of this would have been possible without a few key people. Some people take a chance on you and change the trajectory of your life. Or perhaps they put you on the trajectory you were always meant to be on but didn’t quite realise.
For me, Cole Sirucek and Grace Park, the co-founders of DocDoc, were two such people. While no amount of gratefulness will be enough to thank them honestly, I can only hope to pay it forward by embodying all the lessons I learnt from them and showing others the same level of kindness they had shown me.
And now, as I pass on the baton and move on to the next phase of my career, here is a look back at the last 4.5+ years and the lessons learnt from this incredible journey.
The evergreen lessons
- Say yes and then do whatever it takes to learn
I was the youngest person in the company reporting directly to the CEO, no pressure! Under his mentorship and guidance, I grew leaps and bounds.
I was thrown into the deep end a LOT, and I had to learn to swim. As a result, I learned Marketing and Communications related skills and a wide range of business skillsets. For example, how to hire the right team, fundraise, test go-to-market strategies, make critical decisions under pressure, etc.
Had I chosen to restrict myself to the usual scope of work, I would have missed out on countless growth opportunities. In most cases, when I was handed a task, I had little to no idea how to do it. I always said yes and then did whatever it took to learn.
My takeaway? Don’t get too hung up on how each piece contributes to your specific career path. Instead, learn a wide breadth of skills if given the opportunity. The famous saying goes: You can only connect the dots looking backwards.
Of course, all of the above was possible because of the constant support of my mentors. They clearly stated their belief in my capabilities, patiently gave me constructive feedback at every step of the way and created a safe space to try and sometimes fail. This brings me to my second learning.
- Value mentorship and sponsorship, inside and outside the company
I didn’t even know I needed mentorship and sponsorship when Cole started mentoring me. Looking back, it made all the difference.
If there is one piece of advice I can give to folks at the initial stages of their career, it would be to focus on finding great mentors (and sponsors) who are invested in your growth.
While leaders in your company are a great place to start, always keep looking for opportunities outside the company. In Singapore, Advisory SG, Growth Mentor, Prospect Resourcing’s mentorship scheme, and Young Women’s Leadership Connection are a few avenues worth checking out.
Role-specific communities such as APAC Marketers Roundtable, Product Marketing Alliance, and RevGenius can also benefit immensely.
- Don’t be afraid to look stupid; keep asking questions
During my startup journey, I found it worthwhile to remember the Confucian proverb: “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”
Most people don’t understand most things. Just because they aren’t asking questions does not mean they know what’s going on.
Be bold. Train yourself to ask questions, even those that seem silly. Getting a good grasp of the topic at hand will enable you to use your brainpower and add value to the project in the long run. You can’t meaningfully add value to something you don’t quite understand.
- Invest in building meaningful relationships; people want to work with you when they like you
Half the reason I was successful at my role was that people within and outside the company liked me as a human being. Of course, people liking you is not enough, but it makes things a lot easier.
Also Read: 5 ways to build incredible startup culture
This by no means implies becoming a people pleaser. Instead, be your authentic self and invest in building long term relationships based on honesty, respect, and hopefully mutual benefit.
Make time to truly know people, not just about their work but who they are as human beings. It helps if you are a naturally curious person like me who relishes hearing human stories. But even if you are not, make an effort in your way. It will pay off in unexpected ways in the future.
- Become comfortable with making decisions with little information
This is a skill that will prove to be valuable in your professional life and your personal life. Perfect information is a myth.
Remember that not making a decision is also a decision. It often comes at a high cost.
And finally, embrace the rollercoaster ride, don’t shy away from uncertainty. If there is one thing that the last few years have taught us, nothing is certain.
It’s all about the journey. Embrace it. Enjoy it. After all, what’s the fun if everything is to follow a predictable trajectory?
PS: All of the above is perhaps only possible when you work in a company with a great culture, a culture that provides you with a safe space to take risks, fail and learn. Ending up in a culture unsuitable for you is stressful and potentially disastrous for your career.
I highly recommend taking a few moments to reflect on your values and jot down what kind of culture you want to work in BEFORE you apply for a job.
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