Thoughtful Thursdays: A Discussion about The Future of Work with Vince Chan

Linkedin / Instagram / Thread: @thevincechan

Vince, an Amazon bestselling author in career management, is a globally recognized speaker on the 'future of work.' Her unique expertise comes from a blend of being a Chicago-trained behavioral economist and the former Asia-Pacific head of a billion-dollar U.S. investment firm. Raised in Hong Kong and Canada, Vince pursued economics, followed by MBA degrees from Yale University and Chicago Booth School of Business. Her professional acumen is further solidified by U.S. CPA and CFA® credentials.

Vince’s vibrant 15-plus-year corporate career has spanned global financial markets, with significant roles at S&P Global Ratings, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and TCW Asset Management. Among her standout achievements are raising $1 billion in collaboration with 'King of Bonds' Jeffrey Gundlach and Goldman Sachs, and facilitating over 100 multi-million-dollar funding transactions for Top 50 global banks. Separately, her contributions have been recognized with accolades such as Forbes China's Outstanding Overseas Returnee in 2015 and Yale School of Management's Outstanding Volunteer Leadership award in 2018.

A decade ago, Vince boldly transitioned from finance to the 'future of work' sector. Since then, she has actively modernized the workforce, working in both traditional and digital education spheres. In Beijing, her collaboration with Renmin University of China (China’s Top 10) yielded a popular career guide. She further supported career advancement for the Schwarzman Scholars. In Shanghai with New Oriental (NYSE: EDU), she designed and taught business school preparatory programs to thousands of students. In Hong Kong, she co-developed an entrepreneurship program inspired by Chicago Booth’s Polsky Center.

Vince’s impact extends to global stages like SXSW, ASU-GSV, Web Summit, and RISE conference. There, she has shared insights alongside leaders from Degreed, Google, and Udemy, driving forward conversations on workforce development in the tech era.

Her personal motto, "own your change, or be changed," reflects her resilience through 18 career transitions and six major economic crises. Vince’s journey through three burnouts has become a testament to her strength, showcasing her ability to thrive through transformative challenges.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Vince is a WSET certified wine connoisseur, appreciating richly structured wines. She also enjoys playing tennis, constructing intricate Lego models, and delving into deep stories across various media. Her favorites include classics like “The Godfather,” “The Sound of Music,” “Sherlock,” Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” as well as literary works like “On Tyranny,” “The Little Prince,” and the “Harry Potter” series.

Vince Chan's Career Journey and Future Plans
Vince Chan shared his professional background and future plans. He has been in the corporate and financial world for over 15 years and has worked for major institutions in Hong Kong, Asia, and the US. Post the credit crisis, he moved into entrepreneurship and became an author, writing two books for young professionals. He also worked as a leadership coach in China and Hong Kong. Vince Chan expressed his interest in setting up an investment fund for new ventures and his desire to make a greater contribution to society, especially in the areas of education technology and future skills. He also shared his personal struggles, including career changes, economic crises, and mental health issues, but emphasized his resilience and current thriving state.
Resilience, Adaptability, and Future of Work
Vince Chan highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability in facing work challenges, including burnout. Michael D. Levitt shared his personal experiences with mental issues and discussed the future of work and skills in the context of AI and emerging technologies. Michael suggested an introduction between Vince Chan and a career individual seeking advice. The conversation concluded with Vince Chan discussing the significant changes brought about by the current global crisis, emphasizing the need to adapt to these unprecedented changes.
Emphasizing Individual Control and Learning Amidst Covid-19
Vince Chan emphasized the importance of individuals taking control of their own change, rather than being forced to adapt to changes imposed by others. He highlighted the need for continuous learning, especially in the areas of digital and human-centric skills. However, he also pointed out that many education technology platforms merely recycle existing content without focusing on skills such as career development, navigation, and reinvention. Michael D. Levitt agreed with Vince Chan's points, noting the traumatic impacts of forced changes like lockdowns and border closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Embracing Change and Control in Career and Life
Michael D. Levitt emphasized the importance of taking control of one's own life and career, highlighting the dangers of stressing over things beyond our control. He encouraged people to gain exposure to different experiences, including volunteering, to broaden their skills and consider career changes. He also cautioned against rushing into the use of new technologies like AI without understanding the underlying business needs first. Vince Chan agreed with Michael's points, extending the metaphor of running one's life like a business, regardless of one's profession.
Portfolio Careers and Authenticity Intelligence
Summary
Introductions and backgrounds @ 0:00 Vince shares his background transitioning between 16 careers in finance and experiencing burnout. Michael acknowledges the value of Vince's diverse experiences in navigating change. Navigating change and career reinvention @ 4:30 Vince asserts that owning change through authenticity intelligence allows thriving amid uncertainty. Learning new skills maintains career control. Michael affirms that diverse experiences foster adaptability. Owning your change and authenticity intelligence @ 14:45 Vince advocates becoming the CEO of one's career by embracing change. Authenticity intelligence outweighs technical skills. Michael agrees that controlling life's direction through continuous self-improvement ensures fulfillment. The future of work and skills @ 16:00 Vince stresses developing navigation and reinvention skills is critical futureproofing. Technical skills alone are insufficient. Michael concurs that testing new tools prevents wasted efforts that complicate tasks. Building your portfolio career and business model @ 22:51 Vince recommends monetizing diverse talents through an entrepreneurial mindset. Authenticity emerges from understanding one's purpose. Michael encourages volunteering to explore careers and gaining exposure for informed choices. Conclusion and next steps @ 27:45 Vince and Michael appreciate their discussion and look forward to future collaborations. Vince invites Michael on his podcast to share burnout solutions. They agree on the importance of ownership in career reinvention.