For many professionals, the biggest obstacles in building a career are external—competition, limited opportunities, or changing industries.
But for Sue Ong-Lim, Managing Director of Acer Philippines, one of the most important barriers people must overcome is internal.
Too often, she says, talented professionals underestimate their own abilities.
“Do not underestimate your capabilities,” Ong-Lim advises.
Throughout her career in the technology industry, she has seen how confidence, continuous learning, and perseverance can help professionals grow into leadership roles—even in competitive and rapidly changing fields.
Confidence can be developed
Technology has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but Ong-Lim believes the number of women pursuing leadership roles in business and technology continues to grow.
Her message to aspiring female leaders is straightforward: recognize your strengths and continue developing your skills.
“Recognize your strengths and master your craft,” she says.
At the same time, growth also requires acknowledging areas for improvement.
Successful professionals are not those who avoid weaknesses, but those who work consistently to overcome them.
“Confidence can be built and developed,” Ong-Lim explains.
For many young professionals, that confidence grows through experience—taking on new challenges, learning from mistakes, and pushing beyond familiar boundaries.
Never stop learning
Another habit Ong-Lim believes is essential for career growth is continuous learning.
In a technology-driven economy, industries evolve quickly. New tools, platforms, and skills emerge every year.
To remain competitive, professionals must keep learning.
“I have always believed in the value of continuous learning,” she says.
For Ong-Lim, learning has always been a personal habit.
She enjoys reading business books and regularly participates in short leadership programs and industry webinars to stay informed about emerging trends.
“I make it a point to enroll in short business or leadership programs, or watch business webinars whenever possible,” she says.
Continuous learning, she believes, is one of the most effective ways to remain relevant in a fast-changing industry.
Balancing career and family
One of the questions many women face while building their careers is whether professional ambitions and family responsibilities can coexist.
Ong-Lim believes the answer is yes.
But she also emphasizes the importance of having the right support system.
“If you choose to build a family while leading a team or an organization, it is important to have a partner who fully supports you,” she says.
In many traditional cultures, there is still an expectation that women should take primary responsibility for childcare and household duties.
But Ong-Lim believes career and family should not be treated as mutually exclusive choices.
“Career and family should not be an either-or decision,” she explains.
With mutual respect and shared responsibilities within the household, she says it is possible to integrate both.
Pushing beyond self-doubt
Looking back on her career, Ong-Lim believes many professionals underestimate how much they are capable of achieving.
Self-doubt often prevents people from taking opportunities that could advance their careers.
If she could offer advice to her younger self, it would be simple: speak up and trust your potential.
“Do not be afraid to express yourself,” she says.
She also encourages professionals not to limit their ambitions prematurely.
“Do not short-sell yourself, but rather push your boundaries and trust that you are capable of achieving more than you initially think,” Ong-Lim says.
Success as a shared journey
Over the years, Ong-Lim’s perspective on success has also evolved.
Early in her career, much of her motivation came from achieving targets and hitting performance goals.
While that drive remains important, leadership has gradually changed how she measures success.
Today, one of her greatest sources of motivation comes from seeing the people around her grow.
“What motivates me now is seeing the people around me succeed as well—helping them grow, develop their capabilities, and build meaningful careers,” she says.
For Ong-Lim, leadership is not simply about reaching the top of an organization.
It is about helping others reach their potential as well.
And for professionals—especially women who aspire to leadership roles—her advice remains clear: believe in your abilities, continue learning, and never underestimate how far you can go.
