Three Questions with Senior Marketing Manager Fiona Chow

Sometimes your career takes a different direction. This couldn’t be truer for SailPoint’s Senior Marketing Manager Fiona Chow. Based in Hong Kong, Fiona’s career journey didn’t take a straightforward path. Interested in computer science at a young age, Fiona spent countless hours programming. Even though she thought she would be a programmer or a project manager, she listened to her gut and realized with her outgoing personality; she would be better suited to a people-facing role. Now at SailPoint, Fiona can blend her background in technology with her people skills. Here are three questions with Fiona Chow.

Where will we find you at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, and how does that routine/ritual help you be a better leader during the workweek? 

My dogs (two of them) wake me up every day at 7 a.m. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or a workday, I start my day early, grab a coffee and some breakfast. Then I sit down at my desk, listing all the to-dos, so I don’t miss any of them. I highly encourage everyone to make a to-do list in the morning. It helps to prioritize the day quickly and increases productivity. It works exceptionally well for me. I have practiced this routine for years, and I believe this is key to my success.

What woman inspires you, and how do they influence your leadership style?

I have been fortunate to meet mentors and leaders throughout my childhood and career; all of them are very independent and clear thinkers who set clear goals and targets. They all possess positive thinking and always reach out proactively to offer help or share experiences; they also give back to the community in times of crisis. By learning from them, I have developed my leadership style. I tend to spend time listening to people’s needs, share experiences, and spread positive thinking. I also think everyone should reach out to those in need at work- if you see someone struggling to give them a word of encouragement, it really could make a difference in their day.

How do you keep yourself grounded in times of high stress or change?  

During times of high stress or change, I like to lean in and embrace change or accept the stress that life throws my way. My life never gets better by chance; it gets better by actively changing to the circumstances around me. 

For example, as the world goes through the stress and change from the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve had to accept its impact on my livelihood. As a field marketer, I’ve had to cancel all physical events due to social distancing and lockdowns. Instead of stressing about it, I see it as an excellent opportunity to shift to digital, and I am happy to learn and try new things. In times of high stress, it’s essential to block some time off to get away from emails/social media and enjoy some self-pampering time or spend time with family, especially during this tumultuous time. Finally, it is essential always to remember— Don’t let your fear of what could happen make nothing happen. It’s words I live by.