Rising To The Top

Nicole Tan, the first female regional head of the Shiseido Company in its almost 150-year history, has some advice for those aspiring to be in leadership positions.

- Adora Wong

A woman breaking the glass ceiling in this day and age might not exactly be novel, but Nicole Tan’s accomplishments are surely impressive. Last year, she was appointed president and CEO of the Asia-Pacific Region for Shiseido Company, which aside from its namesake brand, also includes well-loved skincare and makeup brands such as Drunk Elephant, Cle de Peau Beaute, Nars and Laura Mercier. She is the first female chief executive in the organisation’s 149-year history.

And if you’re wondering, the 45-year-old started from the bottom. When looking for a job in the beauty industry some 20 years ago, she began by sending out physical copies of her resume to companies via registered mail – our version of cold e-mails, but with a lot more effort. She landed an entry-level position at a beauty conglomerate, but soon learnt that, contrary to the ads put out, the work behind-the-scenes was hardly ever glamorous.

“People do not realise that you have to work your way up. I remember the days when I was alone in the office packing 200 gift bags by myself. That’s where you start,” she says.

In the real world, our ability to think on our feet and solve problems also have a direct impact on how good we are at our jobs. And critical problem-solving is one of the many skills that Nicole brings to the table.

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