Confidence @ Work
10/5/2024
Introduction
The career panel on building confidence at work featured three guest speakers who shared valuable advice from their experiences. Key themes included self-awareness, positive self-talk, seeking feedback, building strong relationships, and taking calculated risks.
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Jia Liu
Principal Engineer Manager @ Microsoft
Jia Liu currently work as a principal engineer manager at Microsoft, with 18 years of industry experience. In the spare time, she enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and reading. She love spending time with family and friends, but also appreciate moments of solitude. -
Wenting Yang
Software Development Engineer @ Microsoft
Wenting Yang has been with Microsoft for over 8 years, starting as a Senior Finance Manager before transitioning to her current role as a Software Development Engineer (SDE). She holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Accounting, she brings a unique blend of technical and financial expertise to her work. -
Sherry Xiong
Senior Program Manager @ Microsoft
Sherry has spent 10 years at Microsoft in roles like Business Manager and Program Manager and Portfolio Manager. Now a Senior Finance Manager on the Global Treasury team, she also co-chairs the Finance Asian ERG, advocating for education and women's rights. She enjoys family time, exploring, snowboarding, and traveling.
The career panel was an empowering event focused on helping individuals develop and sustain confidence in their professional lives. Featuring three experienced guest speakers, the panel delved into essential strategies such as self-awareness, positive self-talk, seeking constructive feedback, and building strong relationships. The speakers emphasized that confidence at work comes from knowing oneself and recognizing that language should never be a barrier to success.
A lasting message from the event was the idea of continuous improvement. As one speaker said, “Today, you are the best version of yourself, and you will continue to improve and excel even further tomorrow.” This reminder to keep growing and remain true to oneself resonated strongly, inspiring participants to embrace their authentic selves and welcome constructive feedback as they advance in their careers
Throughout the discussion, the panelists shared practical insights on how to navigate challenges, especially when it comes to asking for help or giving feedback. They highlighted a simple yet impactful approach: if actions and words are aimed at benefiting the team and company, there’s no need to worry excessively about causing inconvenience. This perspective encouraged attendees to focus on constructive conversations, promoting a healthy, collaborative work environment.
