🎧 Listen now:
• Managing Careers Like a Financial Portfolio [00:01:00]
Vanessa explains why managing your career is like managing a financial portfolio—diversifying skills and experiences to remain resilient in a volatile world.
• The Power of Networks [00:13:00]
Vanessa highlights how building and nurturing diverse networks can provide support, open opportunities, and act as your personal “board of directors.”
• Driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) [00:20:50]
Vanessa shares her personal connection to DEI as a mother to neurodivergent children and emphasizes the business benefits of inclusion and accommodations.
• Preparing for the Future of Work [00:25:00]
Vanessa outlines her vision for future workplaces—purpose-driven, inclusive, and focused on upskilling employees for technological advancements and agility.
• Practical Advice for HR Leaders [00:28:48]
Vanessa offers tips on fostering curiosity, embracing continuous learning, and leveraging technology to lead transformation in the workplace.
Vanessa likens career management to managing a financial portfolio, emphasizing the importance of diversifying skills, experiences, and opportunities to stay agile and prepared for change.
Example from Vanessa’s Experience:
Vanessa shared how her transition from a commercial role into HR—and later back to a business role—was a pivotal learning experience. She embraced ambiguity, relied on her network for support, and developed new skills to navigate unfamiliar territory.
Practical Advice:
• Experiment with challenging projects or cross-functional roles to broaden your career portfolio.
• Think long-term: Invest in skills that will remain valuable in dynamic environments.
Building and nurturing a strong network is key to career success. Vanessa describes networks as your “net worth,” providing guidance, support, and opportunities throughout your professional journey.
Example from Vanessa’s Insights:
Vanessa shared how reaching out to admired colleagues and engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn led to meaningful relationships and opportunities, including podcast guests for her own show.
Practical Advice:
• Start small: Have coffee or lunch with someone you admire at work.
• Use LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders and spark meaningful conversations.
• Cultivate relationships over time—networking isn’t a one-time activity.
Vanessa’s personal experience as a mother of two neurodivergent children underscores her passion for inclusion. She advocates for accommodations that allow individuals to focus on their strengths and bring creative, innovative solutions to the workplace.
Example from Vanessa’s Perspective
Vanessa explained how technologies like speech-to-text tools and generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) empower neurodiverse individuals to overcome challenges and excel in their roles.
Practical Advice:
• Focus on strengths rather than weaknesses—tailor roles and projects to individual capabilities.
• Leverage technology to support diverse talent and create an inclusive environment.
• Use engagement data to measure the success of DEI initiatives and inform decision-making.
Vanessa envisions workplaces that are purposeful, inclusive, and agile, ready to embrace technological advancements and the growing diversity of the workforce.
Example from Vanessa’s Vision:
Vanessa highlighted the importance of aligning organizational activities with a clear purpose, helping employees feel that their work contributes to a better world. She also stressed the need to prepare employees with skills that will remain relevant, like communication and coaching.
Practical Advice:
• Develop purpose-driven activities that align with your organizational mission.
• Upskill employees in both technical and soft skills to prepare for the future of work.
• Create a culture of agility and continuous learning to adapt to change.
“Your network is your net worth. Cultivating connections helps you grow personally and professionally.” — Vanessa Teo
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Vanessa Teo
Vanessa is a strategic HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving business success by empowering people and fostering innovation. As Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at ST Engineering, she leads talent management and supports teams in creating smart urban solutions.
Previously, Vanessa held leadership roles at AbbVie, LVMH Group, and Target Corporation, gaining global expertise across HR and commercial functions. An adjunct faculty member and INSEAD graduate, she is passionate about shaping future HR leaders and turning human capital into a competitive advantage.
In this episode, Vanessa Teo shares her journey navigating career transitions from merchandising to HR, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her path. She offers insights on building future-ready workplaces, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), talent management, and organizational transformation. Drawing from her experiences as a parent to neurodivergent children, Vanessa provides a unique perspective on creating inclusive and purpose-driven work environments.
Dorothy Yiu is the CEO & Co-Founder of EngageRocket, one of the top Asia’s EX & people analytics platforms. Dorothy brings over a decade of experience in human resources, technology, and business strategy. Before co-founding EngageRocket, Dorothy was the Regional Head of Operations for Gallup, a global analytics and advisory company where she oversaw the execution of over 100 large-scale consulting projects globally.
Dorothy holds two degrees from Singapore Management University under the Lee Kong Chian Scholarship. She was also NTT’s Women of Future nominee in 2022 and was named SG Digital Leader by IMDA in 2024.