Authenticity in Leadership: Shulin Lee’s Work-Life Balance Strategies
Authentic leadership, rooted in self-awareness and balance, empowers leaders to inspire teams while maintaining personal well-being. In the fourth part of our Talent Talk Asia Episode 60 series, Shulin Lee, founder of Aslant Search, shares how she juggles her roles as a million-dollar biller, team leader, mother, and host of After the Bar. Her strategies align with our Imposter Syndrome programme at The Career Establishment, offering a roadmap for professionals seeking authenticity in high-pressure environments. With many leaders facing self-doubt and work-life conflicts, Shulin’s approach provides actionable insights for sustainable success.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: Habits of a Million Dollar Legal Biller
The Power of Authentic Leadership
Authenticity fosters trust, engagement, and resilience, enabling leaders to navigate complex roles effectively. Shulin’s authenticity stems from aligning her work with her CliftonStrengths—Competition, Communication, Achiever, Significance, and Focus. “I’m always competing to be a better version of myself,” she says, shifting from external competition to self-improvement. Her faith, adopted in 2014, grounds her ambition, while limiting social media reduces distractions, enhancing productivity and focus.
Authentic leaders inspire loyalty and innovation. By living her values, Shulin builds trust with her team and clients, creating a ripple effect of motivation. This approach is critical in industries like recruitment, where emotional intelligence drives success in client and candidate relationships.
Balancing Multiple Roles: The Reality
“You can’t have it all at once,” Shulin admits, a reality many leaders face when balancing career, family, and personal passions. Her support system—her husband and two helpers—eased her load, a lesson crystallized during COVID. “I saw just how much work my husband was picking up,” she reflects. Open communication with her family ensures balance, reducing stress and enabling her to excel in multiple roles.
This mirrors the challenges faced by professionals globally, particularly women leaders who often juggle family and career demands. Shulin’s ability to set boundaries and leverage support systems demonstrates how leaders can maintain well-being while pursuing ambitious goals.
Passion Project: After the Bar
Shulin’s podcast, After the Bar, shares unfiltered stories from legal professionals, born from illuminating coffee chats. “Some of these coffee chats are so illuminating,” she notes, challenging Singapore’s reserved culture. The podcast has reached 1,000 professionals, amplifying her online presence and reflecting her passion for storytelling. Side projects like this enhance career fulfilment, allowing leaders to express authenticity and connect with broader audiences.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Self-doubt is a common barrier, particularly during role transitions. “I felt like a failure in law,” Shulin shares, a sentiment echoed by many leaders. Her faith and strengths-based approach helped her overcome this, aligning with our Imposter Syndrome programme that empowers leaders to build confidence and authenticity.
Strategies for Authentic Leadership and Balance
Shulin’s insights yield 12 strategies for authentic leadership:
Identify Strengths: Use tools like CliftonStrengths to align roles with natural talents.
Build Support Systems: Communicate openly with family to reduce stress.
Limit Digital Distractions: Curate social media to save time and focus.
Pursue Passion Projects: Launch a side project to enhance fulfilment.
Address Self-Doubt: Journal three doubts weekly, resolving most through plans.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge five milestones monthly to boost morale.
Seek Mentorship: Consult two advisers monthly to gain clarity.
Set Well-Being Boundaries: Prioritize rest to reduce burnout.
Leverage Networks: Attend four events quarterly to build connections.
Track Progress: Monitor four KPIs (e.g., work-life balance) for growth.
practise Gratitude: Journal daily to enhance positivity.
Invest in Learning: Complete two courses quarterly to stay relevant.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Leaders risk derailment without balance:
Overcommitting: Leads to stress and burnout.
Ignoring Passions: Reduces satisfaction and engagement.
Weak Support Systems: Limits resilience and performance.
Regular coaching and monthly reviews resolve most issues, as Shulin’s balanced approach demonstrates.
Real-World Applications Across Industries
Shulin’s strategies are versatile. A fintech leader could:
Use CliftonStrengths to align roles, completing the assessment in one month.
Post three passion project updates on LinkedIn, reaching 1,200 professionals.
Journal three doubts weekly, resolving most in two weeks.
Attend five industry events quarterly, gaining 10 leads.
Celebrate five team wins monthly, boosting morale.
Implement AI tools for work-life balance, saving time weekly.
Communicate with family, reducing stress.
Complete two leadership courses, enhancing skills.
A healthcare leader could:
Build family support systems, improving well-being.
Launch a blog on patient care innovations, increasing reach.
Consult two mentors monthly, refining strategies.
Monitor four KPIs, achieving growth.
Complete two wellness courses, enhancing balance.
Network at four events, gaining leads.
practise daily gratitude, boosting positivity.
Set boundaries, reducing burnout.
These steps mirror Shulin’s success, amplifying leadership authenticity and online presence.
The Role of Coaching in Authentic Leadership
Our Imposter Syndrome programme helps leaders overcome doubt and align strengths, with clients reporting significant confidence gains. A tech client we coached increased team trust through authentic leadership practises. Shulin’s story underscores coaching’s value in sustaining balance and impact.
Scaling Authenticity Globally
Global leadership demands adaptability across cultures. Digital storytelling on LinkedIn amplifies reach, while flexible work-life strategies enhance success. Shulin’s podcast and balanced leadership position her as a global influencer, inspiring leaders to embrace authenticity.
Overcoming Self-Doubt Challenges
To combat self-doubt:
Journal three leadership doubts weekly, addressing most through action plans.
Seek feedback from two mentors monthly, boosting confidence.
Celebrate five small wins monthly, increasing momentum.
Looking Ahead
Shulin’s authenticity paves the way for Part 5, exploring her guiding principles for future-ready leadership. Revisit the previous parts, or listen to Episode 60.