Crystal Lim-Lange on the power of not responding right away

It’s hard to pause and give yourself time to respond as a leader. But that’s exactly what Crystal Lim-Lange, CEO of Forest Wolf Leadership Consultancy and founder of Deep Human Club, urges women leaders today to do.

When people look to you for answers, there’s an instinct to appear competent, decisive and reliable – pushing us to react almost immediately, especially in an age of AI and automation where speed and efficiency have become the norm. But real leadership, Crystal explains, isn’t just about competence anymore.

“It’s about wisdom, and not being so reactive,” she says. “It’s being truly responsive. Sometimes the best response isn’t an immediate reaction.

“I think the danger of having too much information is that sometimes people get very quick to have knee-jerk reactions to what’s happening.”

The advice, however, that Crystal admits is easier said than done – even for herself.

“A lot of times, things happen, and we want to respond really fast. But sometimes it’s about taking a breath and collecting more information and data because data is power, and wisdom comes with being less reactive,” she shares.

Crystal was set to speak at the Lead Smart: How AI Can Help Women Lead With Greater Impact panel during this year’s mentorship programme mid-point check-in. Held during the SPH Career Fair at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the two-time LinkedIn Top Voice was dressed head-to-toe in a cobalt blue suit, her presence on stage equally striking.

Before her session, we caught a moment with her to seek quick advice for women leaders navigating an increasingly AI-driven world.

In 2017, Crystal coined the term “Deep Human Skills” – a concept that has proven to be ahead of its time, even before AI’s boom. She explains that these are qualities that will never become obsolete, however much the world changes. Now, she says, they are becoming “increasingly important” in the age of deep tech.

“Particularly things like trust, taste, as well as storytelling,” Crystal explains.

Empathy, too, is a skill that Crystal believes leaders tend to neglect in the workplace – one that is also fundamental to building trust.

“People want to feel (that) you see me, you hear me, and I matter to you,” she says, explaining the value of empathy.

Her advice also shifts depending on where leaders are in their careers.

For senior leaders, one of the biggest blind spots is self-awareness. Most believe they are highly self-aware and know exactly how they come across, Crystal explains. Yet research suggests that while more than 80 to 90 per cent of senior leaders believe they are highly self-aware, only 10 to 15 per cent actually are.

“And that’s what we call the self-awareness gap,” she says, adding that self-awareness isn’t something leaders can learn once and master. “We are always increasing our levels of self-awareness about how we come across every day,” she adds.

For Asian leaders, she notes that many of those she coaches tend to be more risk-averse and conflict-avoidant. As a result, much of her coaching focuses on teaching “difficult conversation skills”.

“It’s not just the model of how to resolve conflict but even how to initiate that conversation in the first place,” she shares.

But what will ultimately separate leaders who thrive from those who get left behind five years from now? According to Crystal, it’s having a “very strong” point of view.

“AI can give a 7 out of 10 answer. It’s an aggregator of opinions,” she explains. “However, leaders need to have an extremely particular point of view and not be focused on things like, ‘Will I get it wrong?’ but really be courageous and dare to stand out.”

After our chat, Crystal went on to share her insights in both the mentorship programme panel and in her keynote address SPH Media Career Expo. With each sentence brimming with wisdom and delivered with gusto, her commanding presence set the tone for an afternoon of networking, learning and inspiration.