ICEDRSpecialReport-TakingCharge_000

Taking Charge
REPAY
31
Repay
No person is an island, and these
women believe they owe a debt of
gratitude to those that helped them
to succeed. They have climbed the
ranks thanks, in part, to the help and
support of others – from family and
friends to colleagues and mentors. For
this reason, the women we interviewed
all believed that it is necessary to
REPAY this support and encourage
others. Regardless of any of the usual
competitiveness that often comes to
the fore in business, repaying this favor
and supporting others was a common
and refreshing theme. From our
research, it was clear that the women
we interviewed are deeply invested in
the success of their communities, team,
customers and the next-generation of
women leaders. To repay should not be
dismissed as altruism; it has significant,
long-term advantages for companies,
given its role in providing opportunities
for and the promotion of talented,
committed and successful women.
Importantly, for our executives, it is
a key way they measure their success.
Quite simply, it matters to them to
make a difference: to help others
succeed is a valued part of their legacy.
As a rising woman leader, you certainly
have many goals you want to achieve.
But, it is not too early to start thinking
about the legacy you want to leave and
the impact you would like to make on
the world around you.
REPAY: Your Community
ANZ’s Corporate Responsibility
Framework centers on the tagline ‘We
live in your world’. The exceptional
women leaders at ANZ breathe life
into this slogan, finding a deep sense of
purpose in investing in the communities
where the bank operates.
Consider Susan Yuen, Chief Executive
Officer for the Hong Kong branch of
ANZ. Susan’s father was Chief of Police
in Malaysia at a time when the country
lucky enough to be sent to the UK for
boarding school for security purposes.
Even school was a risk because anyone
could have kidnapped me or planted a
bomb.” Such a childhood uncertainty
brought many challenges, but had a
“Success to me is about a legacy.
The legacy may not necessarily be in
monetary form.
It can be in the form of: What do I add to the lives
of the staff or to the community?
How do I bring people
along with me?
ANZ has been a fantastic platform
for me to be able to do this.”
was in the midst of upheaval. She
grew up in a world of power struggles,
where violence was always a lingering
possibility. She recalls, “My father’s
life was threatened, as was mine. I was
Susan Yuen, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, ANZ
Susan Yuen
ANZ
profoundly-positive impact on Susan.
“From a young age, my father instilled
in me a sense of integrity, resilience
and leadership. He taught me to
always do what is right. These were