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CARGOCONNECT-MARCH2024 - Flipbook - Page 32


COVER STORY
SUPER WOMEN IN SUPPLY CHAIN
Work as a Capable Person and how you can
Best Influence what Others Think
JOANNA LI
Executive Director– Commercial and
Business Development,
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl)
Some two decades ago, I worked in a
male-dominated environment where women
leaders were scarce. Despite facing intimidation and being underestimated, I reminded
myself of my knowledge and substance.
A feminine, pretty and happy face coupled
with positive demeanour can be powerful in
business negotiations. When gender bias
arises, leverage it positively. Ultimately,
results speak louder than prejudice.
32 | CARGOCONNECT MARCH 2024
Into Aviation from the Start
I have always been in aviation,
ever since my 昀椀rst job. I joined
Hactl’s subsidiary Hacis in 2003
as Sales Manager, responsible
for promoting their value-added
logistics solutions to airlines and
freight forwarders.
Embracing Teamwork and
Collaboration
I enjoy teamwork and a collaborative environment. It’s important
that management maintains
an open attitude so everyone
involved in the task, regardless of
rank or gender, has the chance to
o昀昀er their opinions to contribute
to better outcomes.
Managing Priorities
Work life balance is not something
we spoke about when I started
my career so, like everyone else
in my generation, we spent a lot
of time at work as we climbed
the career ladder. Sometimes
I do miss spending more time
with family and friends, or doing
exercises, or pursuing my hobbies: but as I enjoy my work a lot,
I don’t regard this as a sacri昀椀ce
– but rather as a choice between
di昀昀erent priorities. The choice is
ultimately our own.
Selective Adoption of
Positive Traits
I am not a fan of any particular
leader, or inspired by any one
person – I like to observe di昀昀erent
leaders and identify their leadership traits. No one is perfect, so
it’s important that we view both
sides of the coin, and adopt only
those traits that are positive and
suited to our own characters and
situations, rather than blindly
copying a particular model.
Persistence and Humility
in Leadership
Starting as a management
trainee, I quickly advanced to a
managerial position. Working
under various supervisors, I
gained valuable opportunities
for promotion. However, encountering an intimidating boss at
a startup carrier humbled me
and taught me the importance
of balancing persistence with
humility in leadership.
Applying Traditional
Sayings to Modern
Business Practices
“You should never intend to do
harm to others, but should always
stay on guard to protect yourself”.
This is a very traditional Chinese
saying, which my mother kept
repeating to me when I was
young. I think it’s very good
advice for the business world.
Vision for Global
Harmony
I would want to help everyone to
live in peace on Earth, and happily co-exist with other humans
and all living creatures.
Focussing on Capability
Don’t be too conscious of being
a woman at work. Just work as a
capable person, and how you can
best in昀氀uence what others think.
Whether you are a woman is not
important: believe in yourself
and try your best, then you can
have no regrets about what you
achieve.