1. Maintain Clarity, Confidence, and Courage

Stay clear about what you want to achieve, and trust yourself with confidence and courage. External biases or unfair treatment may exist, but inner strength is key. 

Find the courage to own your voice. Let’s move beyond the concept of “imposter syndrome” and instead focus on retraining our thoughts, quieting self-doubt, and allowing ourselves to shine. Get comfortable being uncomfortable, step into the spotlight, and don’t settle for less than you deserve. Be bold. Be brave.

2. Focus on the Work, Not on Others’ Opinions

Concentrate on doing meaningful work rather than seeking validation from others or worrying about their judgments.

3. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Be open to trying new things without the fear of failure. What matters most is the ability to learn and grow from setbacks.

4. Stay Rooted in Your Identity While Remaining Open-Minded

Stay true to your identity and culture, while keeping an open mind.

Be unique — you represent your culture. Having a deep understanding of your own background may one day become an asset in your professional journey.

Don’t try to fit into a mold, remember that your differences are your greatest strength.

5. Respect and Adapt to Workplace Cultures

Respect the cultural norms of Western workplaces, such as valuing work-life balance and avoiding a hyper-competitive mindset.

If possible, participate in cultural workshops or training sessions to deepen your understanding.

Learning other cultures is important, however, do not fall into a “guest” mindset — feeling like an outsider who shouldn’t speak up. Recognize that your voice belongs at the table.

1. Find Your Passion and Build Expertise

Identify what you are passionate about and dedicate yourself to mastering the necessary skills. Having a strong technical foundation or area of expertise will be a valuable asset throughout your career.

2. Build Credibility Through Small Actions

Start by excelling at the tasks within your responsibilities. Focus on delivering high-quality work consistently to build trust and establish your professionalism over time.

3. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

Maintain a mindset of continuous learning, no matter your position.

Be curious about new things to learn. It’s not as if reaching a certain position means you know everything. The ability to change, adapt, and stay open to learning is already the first step toward growth.

4. Strengthen Leadership Skills Through Practice

If possible, participate in leadership training sessions. More importantly, continue honing your leadership abilities through real-world experience and daily practice.

5. Be Proactive and Say Yes to Opportunities

Take initiative. When an opportunity arises, don’t hesitate—say “yes” first and figure out the details later. Embracing opportunities with a proactive attitude often leads to unexpected growth.

1.  Leverage Your Cultural Strengths

Take advantage of cultural practices like nemawashi (mentioned on the "East meets West" page under "Passive Communication") — engaging in informal, behind-the-scenes discussions to build consensus before formal meetings. Early communication can create stronger support for your ideas.

2. Speak Up Proactively and Be Seen

Stay proactive and visible by speaking up in meetings. Actively contribute to brainstorming sessions and discussions. Visibility is key to being recognized and making an impact.

3. Showcase Your Work Through Storytelling

After completing tasks or projects, don’t be afraid to share your work. Let others know what you’ve been working on by using storytelling skills to make your contributions clear, relatable, and memorable. Storytelling here refers to putting yourself in other's shoes to understand thier points of view, and communicating with them using their languages.

4. Influence Others Effectively

Assert your ideas without pushing too hard. Stay firm in your viewpoints without compromising too quickly. Learn some techniques to influence others, e.g. active listening, framing your ideas strategically, and building alignment. 

1.  Find a Mentor

Seek out a mentor who can guide, support, and challenge you as you grow professionally. A good mentor can offer valuable insights, open doors to new opportunities, and help you navigate challenges.

2. Build Genuine Relationships

Be intentional about building relationships. Pay attention to the people around you.

Proactively reach out, engage in meaningful conversations, and be curious about others’ experiences.

Be generous in offering help and support — the more you lift others, the greater your impact becomes.

3. Practice Empathy

Empathy is the foundation of strong professional relationships. Take time to understand others’ perspectives, listen actively, and respond with care. Empathy builds trust and deepens connections.

4. Lead by Empowering Others

Leading is about bringing people with you. Great leaders enable others to do their best work, empower them to generate ideas, and create an environment where everyone can succeed together.