Leadership Q&A with Olga Yung: "Embrace everyday learning and strive for the better"

Michael Page Hong Kong’s managing director Olga Yung loves the fact that she can influence her team through leading by example.

What prompted your move into recruiting?

I was in the middle of completing a Masters of Law degree when a friend who was working in Michael Page recommended that I apply to the company’s legal team. I have always enjoyed work and internships, as opposed to just studying, so I did.

At that time, I genuinely thought Michael Page was hiring a paralegal, but later found out that the role was a recruitment consultant handling placements in the legal sector. I improvised in the interviews and after three long rounds, they offered me the job.

When I started, I thought I would take the job on for fun as I was pursuing my degree and planned to go back to law thereafter. But after three months into the role, I loved it and knew I needed a good reason to convince my parents why I was quitting law for recruitment. So I decided to become one of the top 10 billers within my first year and be promoted as quickly as possible. I am very grateful for how quickly I progressed in PageGroup.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Go into work, check emails and chit chat with my team to kick off the day. Then, the day quickly gets muddled up in a variety of calls (incoming and outgoing), rushing off for internal catch-ups or external meetings. But throughout the day I would be helping out my team on big or small issues, or sharing advice with candidates. Before you know it, it’s already dinner time!

Please share with us your leadership journey so far. Have you encountered any challenges as a woman in leadership?

It’s been a heck of a ride! I would say Michael Page is a very fair company when it comes to gender, so being a woman leader does not necessarily pose more challenges in terms of career progression. Within the industry, there may be some challenges when it comes to getting buy-in, but this issue is not so much related to gender as it is to tenure with the company and knowledge.

What do you enjoy most about being a leader?

I enjoy the bond I share with my teams (including every individual within), and really owning my ‘world’ within the wider Page family. I love the fact that I can influence my people and shape my businesses through leading by example and by understanding my people.

How can women grow as leaders both in and out of the workplace?

Regardless of gender, the attitude one should ideally have is to embrace everyday learning and continue to strive for the better. By knowing your employees and working alongside them, it is much easier to lead as they will most likely be able to better relate their day-to-day challenges to you.

Click here to be inspired by stories of women and read about leadership tips, working across cultures and achieving work-life balance.