Teh admitted that she was not exactly born with a natural knack for leadership. In fact, stepping into the shoes of running the family business, particularly in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis, felt more like a sink-or-swim situation rather than a graceful ascension to leadership.
“But you know what they say about tough times, they have a peculiar way of shaping us into the leaders we never knew we could be. I learned the ropes the hard way, navigating through the rough seas of business management, especially in those early years when every decision felt like walking on a tightrope.”
Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, she always held onto one steadfast companion - a positive mindset. She firmly believes that every struggle, every setback, is simply a disguised gift waiting to be unwrapped. Instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?”, she has trained herself to ask “How can this situation help me and the Group to grow and realise our fullest potential?”.
“It is this perspective shift that has been my guiding light through the darkest of storms. Every challenge became an opportunity for learning, every setback a stepping stone to resilience.
“And slowly but surely, I found my footing as a leader, not by birthright, but by sheer determination and gratitude, coupled with a ‘sense of duty’ for purchasers, our employees and stakeholders.
“I may not have been the natural leader in my family, and tin mining or property development may not have been my initial calling. But sometimes, life has a funny way of nudging us towards our destiny, and I am grateful for every twist and turn that led me to where I am today,” she said.
Teh has also been bestowed with numerous other prestigious awards including Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship of The Year Award, Brand Laureate Brand Icon Leadership Award and Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award.
