In the fast-paced world of Information Technology, visibility is often the bridge between hard work and true leadership. We recently tuned into an incredible livestream featuring Sheena Yap Chan, where she delved into the nuances of "Commanding the Room" specifically for women in IT. It was an empowering session that moved beyond technical skills and focused on the core of our professional presence: the mindset.
Why This Conversation Matters?
In an industry where women are still underrepresented in leadership, learning how to take up space is a survival skill for your career. This conversation highlights that being "good at your job" is only half the battle; the other half is the internal work that allows you to project confidence.
Mindset as Infrastructure: Understanding that 80% of professional success is rooted in how you think and perceive challenges.
The Hardware Analogy: Recognizing that your brain requires high-quality "software" (positive inputs) to run effectively in high-pressure environments.
Bouncing Back: Learning that confidence isn't the absence of fear, but the ability to recover from self-doubt faster using the right tools.
Micro-Habits for Growth: The realization that even five minutes of daily personal development can fundamentally shift your career trajectory.
This session was a breath of fresh air because it didn't focus on "hacks" or "faking it," but rather on sustainable mental health and personal growth. Sheena has a way of making leadership feel attainable by breaking it down into daily lifestyle habits. It’s a must-watch for any woman in tech who feels like they are working behind the scenes and is ready to step into the spotlight.
The Quick Hits: Deep Dive Q&A
1. 1. The Career Game-Changer 📖
The Question: What is the number one book you wish you’d read before starting your career?
Guest's Pick: The Tao of Confidence by Sheena Yap Chan (Author's own work/philosophy) or similar mindset-focused guides.
The Why: Understanding the cultural and gender-based barriers to confidence early on allows you to dismantle them before they stall your career.
2. The Dream Breakfast Scenario ☕
The Guest: A group of like-minded, ambitious women who uplift one another.
The Location: A quiet, inspiring space where ideas can flow freely without the noise of the corporate office.
The Insight: Surrounding yourself with people who "get it" is the fastest way to normalize your own big dreams.
3. Words to Live By ✨
Favorite Life Lesson Quote: "Treat your brain as computer hardware."
The Wisdom: If you wouldn't feed your computer a virus, don't feed your mind constant negativity or media that drains you.
Key Takeaways & Positivity Hacks
The "Feedback Loop" Hack:
Instead of viewing feedback as a personal critique, treat it as a "system update." Use it to patch the bugs in your performance without letting it crash your self-esteem.The Empathy Edge:
Leadership visibility isn't just about you; it’s about making others feel seen. When you command a room with empathy, you create a space where other women feel safe to step up too.Allies in Action:
Visibility is easier when you have a squad. Actively seek out podcasts, books, and interviews that act as "digital mentors" when you don't have a physical one in your office.
The Sheena Yap Chan Quote Vault
"80% of this work is your mindset, how you think, the different perceptions you see."
"Even if it's just five minutes of your day, that's going to help you train your brain to go out there and make those moves."
"It doesn't mean you have to be positive every single day... but now you have the tools and resources to bounce back faster."
"If you feed your brain with good things, your computer works well; if you feed it with a virus, it’s not working properly."
Join the Conversation
How are you training your "brain hardware" this week? We’d love to hear which of Sheena’s insights resonated most with your current career journey—drop a comment below and let's support each other in commanding our rooms!