Cover Photo: Imran Sulaiman
Photo: Imran Sulaiman
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The CEO of Rise Human Capital is passionate about helping more women and girls into leadership positions through her global non-profit organisation, Girls 4 Girls
It was an eye-opener when Izzana Salleh heard her female peers admit their struggles with self-doubt and limiting beliefs. For Izzana, hearing other highly-educated and qualified women talk about feeling incompetent or inadequate in their workplaces was paradoxically empowering—it was proof that she was not alone in her own feelings.
“There is power in the collective voice,” muses the Harvard Kennedy School alum. “There’s power in realising you’re not the only one going through that.”
The next logical step was to question where these feelings were coming from. What made these women feel that way? What were the underlying issues affecting female leadership in their lives and society?
These were questions that Izzana and her Harvard classmates from the ‘From Harvard Square to Oval Office’ programme, pondered.
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Above Izzana Salleh is the CEO of Rise Human Capital and co-founder of Project Girls 4 Girls
Izzana Salleh is the CEO of Rise Human Capital and co-founder of Project Girls 4 Girls
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“We all sat together over coffee when one of the girls asked what some of the issues women in our respective countries experienced. I shared that in Malaysia we have very poor political representation—it’s a well-known fact that’s been covered in the World Economic Forum report. As it turned out, regardless of where they came from, everyone had female leadership representation issues, even Iceland, a country we revere for its minimal gender inequality.”
From there, the group met regularly in between classes and over dinner, trying to come up with a solution to what they had discussed. Combining their resources, their individual networks, and insights from their Harvard professors, they founded what would become Project Girls 4 Girls International. In just five years, the non-profit organisation has expanded with chapters in 26 countries, including Malaysia.
“We did our research to identify the areas in which women and girls needed the most support across the board,” adds Izzana, currently the global president of Girls 4 Girls International and head of its Malaysian chapter. "We realised our mission was to help young women and girls build the courage, vision and skills to pursue their leadership potential.”
Through mentorship and training modules gleaned from a semester at Harvard Kennedy School, Girls 4 Girls empowers each cohort with skills, confidence, and most importantly, a community of like-minded individuals to thrive. Drawing from her own experience as a public sector transformation consultant who sits on various boards, Izzana shares four good practices for women aspiring to leadership in public or private organisations.
See also: Malaysian Architect Serina Hijjas Discusses Legacy And Sustainability
Above Photo: Imran Sulaiman
Photo: Imran Sulaiman
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1. Go where you’ll be seen
"There are a lot of talented young people out there. But if they’re not in the right networks or spaces where they can be seen, it will be challenging to stand out. You have to know the right people, and I don’t mean you have to know politicians and ministers. You need to know people who are decision-makers. They can be the mid-level management in your organisation as well. These are the people who will decide whether or not they should recommend you to their boss."
2. Go outside your realm of work
"Sometimes, it's not just within your organisation, but what you do outside of it that matters too. Where else can people see you that’s not within your direct line of reporting? Volunteering is one way to do this. When people see you operate outside of your work space, they see a different side of you. If I’m in a decision-making position and I see that side of you, I would have a different kind of affinity to you, knowing your entire package. Then I'll be able to recommend you elsewhere."
3. Get comfortable with talking about your strengths
"If you have ambition and you want to be in a specific space, brand yourself in that space. If your space is technology, let your profile be public, let people see the tech-related projects you’re doing. Put it on LinkedIn. It’s not a bad thing to promote yourself. Don’t be apologetic for the value you bring to the table. That’s your value, perspective and worth."
4. Speak up but know your facts
"In this day and age, the ability to speak up is powerful. We encourage young women to speak their minds, provided it’s well thought-out and well-researched. Don’t be rude or angry. If you are angry, be angry with facts. Open your mouth, and even if your voice shakes, say what you have to say."
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Credits
Photography: Imran Sulaiman
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
