Leading Women: Fighting the good fight against female stereotypes

As part of our Leading Women series, we want to highlight the professional challenges and career aspirations of the women we work with here in Asia.

In this story, Dione Song, Chief Commercial Officer of Love, Bonito, shares the most common stereotypes that she’s had to battle at work, staying positive despite the odds, as well as the playlist that keeps her going on the running track.    

Q: What kinds of obstacles or biases have you experienced along your journey as a leader?   

At the very first company I worked for, I was given a promotion three or four years into the job, and it was for quite a senior position. I was one of the few women in the management team. My predecessor, who was also a female leader, told me before she left, ‘Hey, I think the men working in the same role within this organisation are being paid more.’ She also gave me a tip. She told me to ask, or at least try to have that conversation when they do promote me. I am very thankful that she gave me that heads up. Maybe it was not just a gender thing, because I happened to be one of the youngest on the management team also. Anyway, so I negotiated and eventually got what I asked for — the same as those in the same executive roles.  

This is an abridged version of the full interview with Dione Song. For the full version of the interview, click here.