Thriving at the Top: Jane Wang of Roceso Technologies on mindful prioritisation, leaning on fellow founders and how a ten-day silent meditation camp changed her

Many CEOs feel the pressure to be constantly available and connected. How do you set boundaries? What routines or habits do you have that help you disconnect from work? 

I used to feel the pressure to be constantly connected and had the urge to reply to every single message or email as soon as possible. Over the years, I have learned to take a break from external stimulation and enjoy the present with myself. It can be a short break to read a book or do my daily meditation practice. For me, I have daily gym routines and I set time aside to read and meditate to seek clarity about life.

I also plan to make time every year for a ten-day silent meditation camp, which I attended in January 2024. It was my first silent meditation camp experience with no phone, no talking (not even eye contact) and no reading/journaling. I had the 10 days just to be with myself and look inwards to feel and observe. Though still amateur, it made me realise how important it is to be present and be mindful about your emotions and feelings without reaction. My mind became sharper and I became calmer after the whole experience. 

What other aspects are important for sustainable leadership? 

Personally, I find it very important to have fellow entrepreneur friends who can support one another in life. It makes you realise that you are not alone and things will be fine even when the current situation does not meet our expectations. I am also very grateful for people who voluntarily offer help to me as mentors or advisors. I have learnt from them enormously on both a personal and professional front.

Besides friendship and mentorship, having hobbies or passions outside of work is very important for me. I occasionally coach people as a personal trainer. The experience is very fulfilling and offers a good distraction from work stress.

Continuous learning and personal growth are vital for sustainable leadership. What are some ways you invest in your own development amidst your busy schedule? 

Personally, I take continuous learning and personal growth very seriously and they are key sources of happiness to me. I invest time in holistic growth, meaning in mind, body and soul. A well-balanced personal growth keeps your ego in check and makes you a humble human being.

I have a daily gym routine, where I will try to improve my power lifting performance or enhance functionality of various parts of my body. I also try to allocate time for reading and meditation daily. These practices have become habits over the years.

Besides my routines, I occasionally register for courses to achieve certifications in my serious hobbies such as the ACE Personal Trainer certification and Precision Nutrition: Nutrition Coaching certification. The knowledge I have learned has been beneficial to myself and people around me. I have also made friends in the fitness community for sharing and learning.

See also: Fengru Lin on making time for movement, bonding over burning off leeches, and optimising exercise for longevity

Are there any resources that have been helpful to you in your role as a CEO that you would recommend? 

Different people may have different ways to learn. I am a visual learner and reader. It is important to know what can help you grow and select the right topics to read on. 

Are there any tips you can share for managing the stress that often accompanies a CEO role and maintaining a positive mindset? 

Be present. Be vulnerable. Be compassionate to yourself and less self-critical.

Are there any bad habits with regard to your work that you have identified and would like to or are in the process of trying to change? 

Startup founders are typically action-driven and intuitive. We act on gut feelings a lot and often prefer big picture analysis to details. When your business grows and you reach commercialisation stages, a sharp intuition is still needed but more detailed strategic planning and analysis might be helpful in decision making. I am currently trying to be more process-oriented and develop an eye for details.

What advice, key practices or principles would you share to ensure CEOs lead in a sustainable manner?

• Prioritise things that make you mentally stable—friends, family, hobbies or personal growth. 
• Practise self-love and compassion. Tell yourself that you are doing a good job.
• Keep your ego in-check. Do not let your work or your title define you. Life is impermanent—so are our identities.
• Never stop learning, from books, others or yourself (look within). Learning keeps us humble and grounded.
• Take care of your health, both physically and mentally.

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