by Ashley Cheung, Principal & Founder, VPG
July’s Wanderlust article highlights remarkable events in both my personal and professional life, sharing lessons I have learned along the way. As VPG approaches its fifth anniversary, I have accomplished much with my team and on my own. Overcoming people-pleasing, setting boundaries, and saying NO while maintaining diplomacy remain challenges. I am learning to overcome imposter syndrome, investing in public speaking, and ensuring visibility for myself and my team. May is AAPI Heritage Month, and I often try to do more, unaware of how that affects my team. I am incredibly grateful for their dedication and professionalism. Achieving work-life harmony is a goal I continue to pursue. Here are three key lessons from the May events and workshop.
Lesson 1: “No” is a Complete Sentence
Setting boundaries is crucial, and it is essential to understand that others will do the same; this is not personal. During our May 31st workshop, I discussed the difficulty of balancing being a business leader and remaining accountable. Leaders should strive for respect over likability, hold others accountable, and teach that actions have consequences. Managing multi-generational workforce expectations is challenging, but our meticulous, deadline-driven work at VPG requires maintaining core integrity and principles.
Lesson 2: The Law of Resonance
We attract who we are, not what we want, reflecting the energy we project.
The people we surround ourselves with shape our mindset, so choose wisely. I am grateful for team members like Caitlin Nelson, Bradley Moore (alumni), Heather Martin, Michelle Wu, Stephanie Grover, Sydney Ricks, Cheryl Blank, and Alyssa Gangaram (our new illustrator and banner creator) who made our events successful. Observing my team, our workshop participants from Bechtel Corporation, Unified Patents, LLC, and Juniper Networks — "TRUE CREW," as Natasha Craig Durkins calls it — reinforced the importance of honesty over likability. Living true to ourselves is not about being selfish, it is about maintaining self-respect. We were so proud to have had Heather Martin’s new self-published book, Towards the Rainbow, first book signing during our May 31st workshop.
Lesson 3: Embracing Value-Aligned Challenges
Fear should not hold us back from challenges, but they must align with our values and integrity. Organizing the May 17th Booze-Free Happy Hour, the Sheena Yap Chan dinner, and the workshop after returning from Norway and Sweden was tough, especially with a 99% virtual team. When someone remarked, “It seems like you’re just winging it,” I used that observation to fuel meticulous planning and organization. These events were stressful but also provided invaluable lessons. Aligning decisions with VPG’s values and understanding the necessity of each choice is crucial for building a legacy. Offering critical feedback for growth is a choice, and I will unapologetically embrace it as part of my brand.
Planning three major events post-vacation was a logistical nightmare. As a recovering workaholic, I am learning to say NO to energy drains, so I can support my team effectively and embrace my self-worth and values. Choose respect over likability. Our lived experiences offer valuable lessons. For now, I must quote Khue Hoang, the Managing Partner of the New York Office of Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg, who indicated that I will “take a sabbatical from my extracurricular activities” for the next quarter to support my clients’ deadlines.
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