At Moxy, we believe in inspiring action by highlighting real stories of real women. Meet Jeslin Minhas - a PR and Communications Professional. From her journey of mastering composure during challenging times to building successful client relationships, join us as we explore her key messages on overcoming gender biases and fostering inclusive work environments.
Introducing Jeslin Minhas
Can you briefly share about yourself, your professional journey and the most important milestones that have shaped your career?
Since my early days, I have been a fervent enthusiast for language and the arts sector. Whether through diverse films, music, campaigns, or theaters, I've been struck by how words and visuals can evoke profound meaning for us. This passion led me to embark on a journey working in multiple IMC and PR agencies, with a strong focus on technology and startups. In these roles, I led client servicing on a day-to-day basis and developed close relationships with entrepreneurs. From collaborating with local tech companies to supporting international conferences such as Echelon and Tech Week Singapore, it has been an exhilarating journey.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the workplace?
Like the rest of the world, gender biases and stereotypes are increasingly evident. Domination during meetings from male counterparts and inferior mistreatment from underlying conversations from my own encounters are some of the instances that have shaped my own perception of toxic masculinity.
Fortunately, in today’s age, where a new era is constantly being built and improved concurrently with digital media, there is a strong backing of female figures. Women have evolved and are supercharged towards taking ownership of their lives and making strides in their professional careers. Figures like Diipa Khosla, Malala Yousafzai and Leanne Robers have emerged to be greatly influential in recent years. Personally, it is always inspiring to look at these resilient public figures in times of uncertainty and adapt their learnings in my own life.
Personal strategies to adopt when facing challenges
What are some key strategies that you have adopted to navigate these challenges in your career?
I believe the main issue arises when we doubt ourselves too much. We often limit ourselves by obsessively focusing on the challenges or setbacks, which can lead us into a spiral where we lose control. As cliché as it may sound, the key is to always believe in our abilities, not only to overcome challenges individually but also to cultivate stronger synergies within a team, enabling us to achieve collective goals and foster growth.
Some of the personal strategies I use:
- Keeping a calm composure: It has taken myself a few years to master the complex art of staying collected during adversity. Tactics like breathing exercises, screen time limitation, and open communication has enabled me to navigate difficult setbacks smoothly.
- Keeping a tab on your small/big achievements: Having a fleshed out list of all your successes and growth learnings can highly influence our minds when overcoming struggles. It can be a great source of reflection for us to stay hungry and determined in pressing on rocky times.
- Keeping a close knit support group: As humans, we essentially need a solid community of like-minded individuals who are not only able to support but also voice out areas of improvement that we fail to see within ourselves. Bouncing off different recommendations can offer new creation of ideas and ways to tackle challenges.
Can you highlight a professional triumph that not only elevated your career but also contributed to the overall success of the organization?
We encountered instances where this client was not the easiest person to work with. Often, interactions were not as smooth as we preferred, leading to whirlpools of developing a persona aimed primarily at pleasing them. It took several months of utmost patience, analyzing pain points, and building rapport with the client. Eventually, they fully committed to a scope of work contract for the year ahead. In today's fast-paced world, the value of patience has become increasingly integral to building successful partnerships.
In fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, what innovative steps do you think organizations should take beyond traditional policies?
Ensuring that both genders feel safe in the workplace is absolutely essential. Holding monthly catch-ups or maintaining consistent engagement with employees to voice and address their issues can help prevent problems from snowballing. Simply listening without taking action is redundant. Organizations should also implement creative team bonding workshops or outdoor activities to foster a stronger sense of culture.
What message would you like to convey to other women who may be hesitant to share their stories or voices in the workplace?
Back in the days, I used to be extremely reserved in sharing my own stories. Often thinking that no one will get it or form their own misperception, it discouraged me to open up. Crumbling down in self-doubt, it only brought me more harm than good. However I gradually learnt to embrace my persona and story and realised how I was not “alone”. Take pride in knowing that someone else might resonate with your journey of growth.Use it as a driving motivation to pursue and reach your potential. Every voice has the gift to make an impact, so trust your instincts!
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Thank you for sharing your insights with us Jeslin! And to our readers, thank you for joining as we uncover insights on dealing with challenging situations at work and managing your internal emotions.
If you wish to share your experiences, join the movement on Moxy Movement to make your voice heard! And if you are an employer looking to get some help on how to bring retain female talent, contact us to know more here.
