Company Description: IKON Office Solutions is one of the world’s leading providers of products and services that help businesses communicate. With fiscal 2000 revenues of $5.4 billion, IKON has approximately 800 locations worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, and Denmark.
Education: B.A., magna cum laude, Harverford College
J.D., Stone Scholar, Columbia University School of Law
Department Size: 11
Immediate Prior Position: Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer, Aetna U.S. Healthcare
1. Please describe an attitude change or defining moment that was pivotal to your success.
I went through a process of finding myself by breaking away from the stereotype. When I asked myself, what does an Asian-American look like through the lens of the other, majority culture, the answer was that we seemed to be weak, mild-mannered, bookish, and never having the characteristics of a leader.
I thought it was a killer (professionally) in the long run; the stereotypical Asian-American character had no credibility as a leader and no boldness. So as a mid-level associate in a law firm, I decided to break away from the stereotype. I tried to be the opposite of the stereotype. When needed, I yelled, cursed, screamed, and turned the tables sometimes. That change produced advantages. Since I wasn’t predictable, I kept them off guard. More importantly, my style killed the stereotype and forced everyone to deal with me as an individual, rather than with a stereotype.
So I addressed my weaknesses rather than focus on the stereotype. That is a key to climbing the ladder: don’t let stereotypical baggage wear you down.
2. What is the best career advice you have ever received?
My college philosophy professor was disappointed that I chose to go to law school rather than further my study of philosophy. But she emphasized the importance of being passionate about whatever I did. “If you are passionate about it, you will enjoy it,” she said. I became passionate about some things that I hadn’t imagined I could be enthused about. Now I give that advice often, particularly to people who take the attitude that it’s just a job. Well, we spend two-thirds of our waking hours on our jobs. So we should be passionate about it. Frankly, I never thought that I would be passionate about sitting in a large corporation, but I am.
3. How would you describe your management style?
I am blunt, direct, and aggressive. By blunt, I mean that what you see is what you get. If I say you are doing a great job, that is what I mean. And, if I say the product is poor, I mean that. It helps for my reports to have thick skin.
By direct, I meant that I like to deal with an individual by looking that person in the eye. Others prefer to deliver tough messages via email or voice mail, but I choose to manage by direct contact. If you want to build trust, you have to be honest with people.
I say that I am aggressive because I am not passive. I don’t like to sit and wait. I am active and prefer to push the envelope on issues. I’m not a politician, so I don’t worry about making you feel warm and fuzzy. I like to take risks, and I like people who are risk takers.
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From the December 2001 issue of Diversity & The Bar®