Breaking Barriers

A FIGHTER SINCE YOUNG, THIS LEADER IS SPEAKING UP AGAINST SOCIAL AND CULTURAL MORES

Even at work, women must work twice as hard to gain recognition. I feel there is a perception that being a leader is too challenging for women – although I think that is slowly changing in more progressive companies. Having had to work part-time to supplement her family’s income and siblings’ education growing up, here’s how Pamela Phua, Product Management Director, Decorative Paints, SESA, AkzoNobel, surmounted several walls, as Aditi Sharma Kalra finds out.

In this brand-new series of interviews titled Breaking Barriers, HRO speaks to women leaders globally who have forged their paths, made a mark in their career of choice, and are doing what they love best – living out their passions and uplifting others to go further and faster.

For this edition, we catch up with Pamela Phua, Product Management Director, Decorative Paints, Southeast Asia and South Asia (SESA), AkzoNobel, who has spent 18 years in R&D and product management at AkzoNobel, launching innovative products such as the Dulux Weathershield/PowerFlexx.

Based in Singapore, she covers the SEA, South Asia, and APAC regions, with the key markets for decorative paints being India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Phua is also an A*STAR-certified auditor, and is actively involved in projects to create inspiring living spaces for local communities and to promote green architecture trends, which really speaks to her passion for sustainability.

Have you faced any barriers in your career because of being a woman? How did you overcome them?

Women face barriers in all stages of their lives. When I interviewed for medical school, it was clear that men were preferred as “female doctors might leave the profession when they start a family”. Social and cultural mores tell a woman to stay home to take care of her family.

Even at work, women must work twice as hard to gain recognition. I feel there is a perception that being a leader is too challenging for women – although I think that is slowly changing in more progressive companies.

AkzoNobel creates an environment where everyone can speak their minds and be passionate about what they do. This helped me to get outside my comfort zone to take on various important positions in the company.

What drives you? Are there any personal beliefs/ people from whom you draw strength?

I have been a fighter since I was young. Growing up, my family wasn’t well off. As the oldest of four siblings, I had to work part-time to supplement my family’s income and my siblings’ education.

I have had the fortune of working for leaders who believed in me and pushed me to achieve more than I thought I could. I managed to surmount many walls by standing on their shoulders.

The most important role of any leader is to break down barriers and inspire their teams to do what they thought was impossible.

Now that I am a senior people leader myself, I am compelled to do the same for my team. I actively put aside my biases and push members of my team to achieve their full potential. I strive to create a level playing field for everyone to reach their aspirations.

What is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?

Bruce Lee said, “be like water”, I say: • Be resilient – Love what you do and work hard to achieve your goals, but do it with passion and poise. • Be patient – Accept that sometimes there are detours along the path of life. Give yourself time to learn, and forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Don’t be your worst enemy. • Be creative – You can’t drive innovation if you don’t try new things and fail along the way. • Be curious – Every day and every interaction, whether positive or negative, is a learning opportunity.