Leadership Q&A with May Wah Chan: "Women can have the best of both worlds"

Helping to develop others in their careers is what keeps May Wah Chan, associate director at Michael Page Malaysia going.  

What prompted your move into recruiting?

I started my career in a direct sales business in the UK before moving home to Malaysia after 10 years. To be honest, recruitment never crossed my mind until I got an interview with Michael Page and was offered the recruitment consultant role. I saw how my skills could fit into the role, but what attracted me to the job was the opportunity to develop and grow my career in a meritocratic culture.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It starts with planning the day’s tasks. This will be a combination of client/candidate calls, clearing administration work, and conducting meetings with existing or prospective clients and candidates. This also includes offer negotiation, selling our business services and conducting sales calls/meetings to win businesses.

While doing these key activities, I also spend a lot of time coaching and training new people on the job. Most of my time will be invested in my team, coaching them on the key basics of the job.

The road to leadership is never a straight line, but rather, like a jungle gym.

Please share with us your leadership journey so far. Have you encountered any challenges as a woman in leadership? 

I joined Michael Page as an associate consultant and worked my way up to consultant, senior consultant, manager and finally, associate director. I currently manage three business streams: Sales, marketing and digital. I think women can do the same, if not a better job than men. 

One of the key challenges many women face is balancing family and career. I am now going through that stage where I am starting a family and I can safely say, at six months pregnant, that nothing has changed in terms of my drive and motivation for my role or the support and guidance I am getting from my management. I think it takes certain beliefs and the right prioritisation to overcome such challenges. 

I believe it’s important to trust that women can have the best of both worlds and that they can be smart, opinionated, and ambitious at the same time. The road to leadership is never a straight line, but rather, like a jungle gym, so it’s okay to feel defeated at times. Appreciating the journey is what shapes you most in the end. Surround yourself with positive people who truly believe in these principles too.

What do you enjoy most about being a leader?

My biggest satisfaction comes from promoting and developing others in their careers. Nothing beats that kind of fulfillment.

How can women grow as leaders both in and out of the workplace?

Women tend to think a lot as we are naturally sensitive and doubtful of whether we can be good enough both in and out of the workplace. Take the opportunities that come and do not be afraid to take chances even if it means experiencing hurdles and failures. The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.

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