Top lessons in innovation, self-leadership we learned in 2023

The Gen.T editors from around the region provide their biggest takeaways on how to tackle challenges, ignite innovation and maintain balance

Every year, our team gets to connect with no lack of inspiring young leaders. Some join the Tatler Gen.T community through the annual Gen.T List, while others we meet through interviews, events and our networks. But 2023 has been particularly special, as we welcomed hundreds of them at the inaugural Tatler Gen.T Summit in Hong Kong in November. It was also the year we bid a fond farewell to our regional head of Gen.T, Lee Williamson, who played a key guiding role behind the brand for several years.

In this round-up of the year, we’ve asked our editors across Asia—who are already accepting nominations for the next edition of the list—to provide their biggest takeaways from 2023.

Embrace fear

Afghan journalist and women's right activist Mahbouba Seraj at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 (Photo: Billy Chan)

Above Afghan journalist and women's right activist Mahbouba Seraj shared how she stood up against the Taliban at the inaugural Tatler Gen.T Summit (Photo: Billy Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)

“One lasting piece of advice that I heard this year was from Afghan activist Mahbouba Seraj, at the Gen.T Summit. Seraj moved everyone with her raw and honest conversation, especially when she said, ‘I am always afraid. It’s not that I’m not afraid. But I have a certain belief in my heart that this is something that I have to do and I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.’”

— Chong Seow Wei, regional senior editor

Create collaboration

Vince Siu, founder and CEO at Press Start Academy runs a table of players at the Ideas Jam event (Photo: Press Start Academy)

Above Vincent Siu, CEO, Press Start Academy, a company that engages and enriches learners of all ages through games (Photo: Press Start Academy)

“The lesson I’ve taken to heart is that we should continue finding new ways to shake up how we get our community together. This takeaway resulted from an event we co-organised with Vincent Siu of Press Start Academy.

“Within the relaxed setting of an ideation-focused games night at Tatler House, honourees were able to dispense with the usual cocktail networking small talk and more comfortably open up their personalities and demonstrate their strengths to each other. Following the event, I spoke with several attendees who found it a refreshing change of scene that resulted in new professional and personal connections.”

— Rick Boost, Gen.T editor, Hong Kong

Prioritise and say ‘no’

Above Prioritise what is necessary by saying ‘no’ (Photo: Getty Images)

“I hosted a panel discussion with three honourees, which included Bryan Loo of Tealive, the Malaysian bubble tea brand. Loo said something that stuck with me. He talked about the power of saying ‘no’ and how he had learned to say ‘no’ when he didn’t have the capacity.

“He said that this approach has simplified his life and how, despite there being so many great ideas out there, there simply isn’t enough time and resources to pursue all of them.”

— Chong Jinn Xiung, Gen.T editor, Malaysia

Invest in what matters

Above Entrepreneurs are on a mission to solve modern day problems (Photo: Getty Images)

“We are in a prime time and space to be investing in solutions to modern problems. Though technology can be an intimidating space, working with Gen.T honourees has shown me the range and scope of talent within the Philippines. Many people are looking to solve problems and just need the right resources to amplify their solutions.”

— Ryanne Co, lists editor, Philippines

The importance of self-belief and perseverence

Above Taiwanese-American basketball player Joseph Lin demonstrates what it means to overcome challenges throughout his career (Photo: Wei Yu)

“My interview with Joseph Lin, where he shared about his basketball journey, struggles and eventual career pivot, was a highlight for me. He talked about how he had been under constant scrutiny from the public since his career began and was often compared with his brother, Jeremy Lin, which overshadowed his outstanding achievements.

“Joseph acknowledged that grappling with the pressures and initial doubts which surrounded his career was a challenge. Despite the roadblocks, it was with perseverance and consistency that he proved nay-sayers wrong.”

— Zoe Hsu, Gen.T editor, Taiwan

Live outside the box

Above Author and novelist Pico Iyer was a speaker at the Tatler Gen.T Summit in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)

“Pico Iyer’s session during the Gen.T Summit struck a chord with me. On his path to presence, he said, ‘It is only by living outside the box that we can think outside the box.’

“Pico himself spends about 20 minutes of the morning gathering his thoughts. This reminder about unplugging in an age of information overload to foster new and creative ideas is something that I will take going forward into the new year.”

— Valerie Lim, digital editor, Gen.T

NOW READ

From dream to reality: How a dream led this co-founder to embrace the blockchain

Why these female leaders are future-proofing the next generation

The recipe to keeping the creative flame alive, according to restaurateurs André Chiang and Syed Asim Hussain

Topics

Entrepreneurship Innovation Leadership

Tatler Asia