If you are a professional Asian woman like me, picture this...

You're standing in front of your mirror, rehearsing how to ask for that promotion.

Your accomplishments speak volumes – stellar projects delivered, teams led successfully, innovations implemented.

Yet, something holds you back...

This feeling, this hesitation, is often compounded for Asian women in America, whose career experiences are uniquely shaped by the complex interplay of gender, performance, and cultural biases.

The "Women in the Workplace Report 2024" by leanIn.org provides a sobering statistic: only 5% of Asian women attain a first-time manager position.

This isn't about leaning in; it underscores the undeniable leadership challenges faced by Asian women in the workplace.

Four unique challenges Asian women face in the workplace

Let's explore the unique challenges together, not just as obstacles to overcome, but as opportunities to create a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of what our careers can look like. After all, our unique perspective isn't a liability – it's our superpower.

Challenge one: The "too quiet" perception

You might have experienced this scenario: You're in a meeting, thoughtfully processing information and choosing your moments to speak carefully – a practice deeply rooted in many Asian cultures that value measured, meaningful contribution. Yet, later you discover your performance review notes that you're "not vocal enough" or "need to speak up more." This feedback often comes without recognition of your valuable written communications or the strategic insights you've shared in smaller group settings. You feel discouraged, diminished and not valued.

Challenge two: The attribution challenge

Picture this all-too-common situation: You present a well-researched strategy in Tuesday's team meeting. Everyone nods, but there's little response. Then on Thursday, a colleague (often male or non-Asian) rephrases your exact idea, and suddenly it's a "brilliant suggestion." You feel disrespected but are hesitant to speak up, fearing offending others. Sound familiar? This 'idea appropriation' is particularly challenging because it intersects with cultural values surrounding confrontation and harmony.

Challenge three: The dance of two worlds

Imagine sitting at your desk, staring at an email draft where you need to highlight your team's recent success to senior leadership. Your fingers hover over the keyboard as you wrestle with an internal dialogue that many Asian women know all too well. The project was successful largely due to your leadership, but you've been taught since childhood that self-promotion is distasteful, even shameful. This moment captures the essence of the cultural tightrope that Asian women walk every day.

Challenge four: The power of respectful silence

In many Asian households, you learned that wisdom often means listening more than speaking. You watched your elders demonstrate respect through careful observation and thoughtful responses rather than immediate reaction. This trained you to be an excellent listener and observer – skills that are invaluable, yet often undervalued or penalized in corporate settings.

Overcoming the challenges together

We stand at a powerful intersection – where cultural values meet the realities. Rather than simply adapting to existing structures, we have the opportunity to thoughtfully reshape workplace dynamics while honoring our cultural foundations. This isn't about changing who we are; it's about amplifying our authentic voices and demonstrating that leadership comes in many forms. By strategically sharing our perspectives, celebrating our achievements with quiet confidence, and building meaningful alliances, we create space for a new kind of professional presence – one that commands respect without compromising our values.

Finding our authentic balance

The key isn't to abandon one set of values for another, but to find a harmonious blend that feels authentic to us. Consider this approach:

1. Reframe Self-Advocacy

Instead of seeing it as bragging, think of sharing your achievements as providing important information that helps others do their jobs better. You're not boasting; you're ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Here is an example, "our team achieved something remarkable this quarter. I had the privilege of leading the initiative that resulted in a 40% efficiency improvement. By bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering open dialogue, we were able to transform how we approach customer challenges.” Notice how this approach doesn't diminish your leadership while still celebrating collective achievement? That's the sweet spot.

2. Bridging Cultural Wisdom with Professional Impact

When highlighting individual achievements, acknowledge your team's contribution too. This maintains your cultural values while meeting Western workplace expectations. For example: "I led the project that our amazing team brought to completion ahead of schedule.”

Take Sarah's approach: "I used to think my tendency to observe and process before speaking was a weakness," she shares. "Now I position it as strategic thinking. When I do speak, I offer synthesized insights that often help bridge different viewpoints. My colleagues have come to value this thoughtful approach."

3. Crafting Your Signature Presence

Develop a personal style that draws from both worlds. Use your cultural strength in driving collaboration and maintaining harmony, while adopting effective leadership practices of clear communication about goals, expectations, and achievements. Rather than waiting to be noticed or aggressively self-promoting, create meaningful visibility:

• Share project updates that highlight both individual and team contributions
• Offer insights that demonstrate your unique perspective and leadership approach
• Build relationships through genuine connection and value-adding conversations

A personal note

Remember that this journey of reconciling different cultural expectations is not about choosing one over the other. It's about building a bridge between two valuable perspectives. Our ability to navigate both worlds is not a burden – it's a unique strength that can set us apart.

The next time you feel that familiar tension between cultural values and workplace expectations, pause and remind yourself: You're not just managing a conflict; you're crafting a new, more inclusive way of professional being. Your experience in bridging these worlds makes you uniquely qualified to lead in our increasingly global workplace.

• What aspects of your cultural background have you successfully integrated into your professional life?
• How have you maintained authenticity while adapting to Western workplace norms?
• Your story matters, and sharing it helps create a more nuanced understanding of Asian women leadership in today's diverse workplace.

Living Fully. Living Well.

Corinna

© 2025 Corinna Kong. All Rights Reserved.

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