As part of our International Women’s Day (8/3) celebration series, We are pleased to share another insightful article featuring valuable perspectives from Ms. Michele Wee, a global leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and an Advisor to Women In Tech Vietnam & Women Tech Entrepreneurs.
In a newly published and deeply insightful interview with TheLEADER, Michele W. shares why inclusive leadership is no longer just a social aspiration, but a strategic imperative and the “secret weapon” shaping the future of the technology industry. Her insights highlight how inclusive leadership drives innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.
In this conversation with TheLEADER, Wee reflects on why human capital is emerging as a defining advantage for organizations and explains why inclusive leadership is no longer a social aspiration but a strategic imperative in the digital age.
What does inclusive leadership mean to you and how can it help women grow in their careers?
Michele Wee: Inclusive leadership is when I feel safe and empowered to share my perspectives to my community. The best outcome of inclusive relationship in my view is that we collective make the best decision. When women experience this environment, they are more willing to speak up, contribute ideas, and participate in decision-making, activities that are essential for visibility, confidence, and career progression.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring for leadership roles in tech?
Michele Wee: The door is far more open today than it used to be. DEI movement for Gender equality and equity has highlighted the benefits of women in leadership. Progressing in your career is a constant and consistent focus to building your skills, for example problem solving, communication, technical competence, innovation and creativity. It is also necessary to speak up and be visible, share your ideas, present your work on time and always ask for opportunities.
From your perspective as an advisor of Women in Tech Vietnam, what are the most structural barriers preventing women in Vietnam from advancing into senior tech leadership roles?
Michele Wee: I will highlight cultural and organizational barriers that make it harder for women to reach senior leadership roles.
Culturally, a perception that leadership in tech is “men’s territory” and the expectations around family and caregiving is disproportionately shouldered by women. Organizationally, I feel there is weaker mentorship for women and fewer networking pipelines for peer support.
For example, unfettered access to senior management and sponsorships from executives will give visibility to the candidate and peer support networks to reduce isolation and accelerate progress. Organizational biases and non-transparent promotion practices also lead to women being overlooked in the promotion process.
Many organizations speak about diversity, yet progress remains slow. In your view, what separates companies that truly commit to inclusion from those that treat it as a branding exercise?
Michele Wee: Mindset empowers you to make changes and deliver the impact that you are looking for. The connection is action. Without action, nothing will happen. Therefore, the role models who have made up their minds that inclusion makes money for the business have success as they execute with purpose, transparently, and with consistency.
Having led large financial institutions and now mentoring women in tech, how do you see the intersection between digital transformation and inclusive leadership?
👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQvefyCK
We believe that empowering women in technology and leadership is essential to building a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
We are truly fortunate to have Michele’s strategic guidance and global perspective as we continue our mission to empower women to be not only participants, but also leaders and architects of Vietnam’s dynamic technology ecosystem.
To Michele Wee, the intersection of digital transformation and inclusive leadership creates a powerful multiplier effect.
💜 Thank you, Ms. Michele W., for your inspiration and continued support for the Women in Tech Vietnam and Women Tech Entrepreneurs Community.
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