Empowering women to propel Sri Lanka into a brighter future

A true leader not only charts the course, but also helps others understand the significance of the journey and guides them towards the most effective path. A leader who excels in this capacity not only inspires and motivates but also energises their team, ensuring full engagement and enjoyment throughout the process - Influence Solutions Managing Director Karen Leong

By Michelle Therese Alles

The recent Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of WISTA Sri Lanka, brought together leaders and innovators to discuss and promote female empowerment in the maritime, trading, and logistics sectors. 

With a focus on creating a brighter future for Sri Lanka, the gathering, which also marked the 50th anniversary of WISTA International, showcased the powerful role of women’s leadership in driving progress and making significant change. By uniting voices and visionaries, WISTA Sri Lanka has ignited a transformative movement, setting the stage for a more inclusive and prosperous community where the potential of every woman is valued and unlocked.

Influence Solutions Managing Director Karen Leong took centre stage as keynote speaker at the event, where she shared her insights on organisational development. A bestselling author and award-winning expert in her field, Leong is renowned for her pioneering work in fostering high-trust cultures within organisations. Ranked among the top 1% of keynote speakers globally, she is also a seasoned coach and TEDx speaker, holding the prestigious title of Certified Speaking Professional. Leong’s reputation as one of Singapore’s leading professional speakers is further enhanced by her features in international media outlets such as BBC World, Reuters, Channel News Asia, and The Straits Times. Her Amazon bestseller, “Win People Over,” has empowered numerous teams across the Asia-Pacific region.

WISTA Sri Lanka President Diruni Chanmugam highlighted significant strides in empowering women in the maritime, trading, and logistics sectors. The event recognised WISTA’s pivotal role in providing vital networking opportunities and building industry connections in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Reflecting on the establishment of WISTA Sri Lanka in 2014 under founding president Shehara De Silva, Chanmugam addressed the ongoing challenges of gender imbalances. She urged business leaders to not only ensure women’s representation, but also empower them to lead and innovate. Her remarks underlined WISTA Sri Lanka’s commitment to connecting, inspiring, and advancing women in the maritime industry.

Chanmugam concluded by reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to breaking barriers and fostering a more inclusive and equitable future, while honouring past achievements and looking forward to continued progress.

Leong’s powerful message left a lasting impression on the gathering, where she emphasised the unwavering importance of leadership, particularly in times of change. “A true leader not only charts the course, but also helps others understand the significance of the journey and guides them towards the most effective path. A leader who excels in this capacity not only inspires and motivates but also energises their team, ensuring full engagement and enjoyment throughout the process,” Leong remarked. 

While the need for strong leadership endures, Leong noted that the environment leaders face is growing increasingly complex and unpredictable, resembling a battlefield with constantly shifting sands. She compared effective leaders to military commanders who, despite operating in chaotic conditions, remain calm, clear-headed, and composed by relying on critical skills that anchor them amidst the 

turmoil.

With artificial intelligence (AI) set to reshape industries, Leong stressed the importance of these fundamental leadership skills in navigating uncertainty and leading effectively in a rapidly changing landscape.

She also emphasised the importance of clarity as the cornerstone of effective leadership and highlighted the pervasive nature of change, noting that it often arrives disguised as problems or hard work. She observed that while some people see obstacles in challenging situations, others recognise opportunities. “The more we can identify opportunities within these situations, the better we can take advantage of them,” she remarked.

Leong highlighted that while product innovation is frequently emphasised as a key driver of value, it is not the sole strategy for achieving a competitive advantage. She pointed out that companies like Samsung and Dyson, known for their exceptional products, are part of a broader conversation that includes recurring revenue models and system innovation.

She urged organisations to explore both product performance and system innovation. She cited consulting firms such as Accenture, which have successfully integrated Managed Services and Outsourcing into their business models. This shift helps stabilise income and reduce the volatility associated with traditional consulting practices.

Leong also provided examples of successful models including Tesla and Star Alliance. Tesla has revolutionised the automotive industry by selling directly to customers, bypassing traditional distributors, while Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, illustrates how competitors can collaborate to enhance the customer experience through shared services. She further emphasised that adopting revenue and system innovation strategies can significantly differentiate businesses and contribute to long-term value creation. 

Leong also highlighted the difference between inner and external resources, using determination as an example. She explained that while inner resources can help acquire external ones, like money, the reverse isn’t true. “The more you use an inner resource, the more it grows,” she said, noting that external resources diminish with use. She further likened inner resources to muscles that may weaken when unused but can quickly regain strength. “They’re always there, ready to be harnessed when needed,” she concluded, emphasising the lasting value of cultivating these internal assets.

 Pix by Upul Abayasekara