Mind Spark #21 - Breaking Barriers by Lifting Others
- Shujian Zhang
- Aug 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 7
Inspired by a recent Career Firechat webinar on Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling.
Last Saturday evening, I attended a webinar titled “Career Firechat: Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling,” organized by the Alliance for Impact and led by Dr. Ling Hua, an experienced executive and leadership coach with global business expertise and a strong background in biotechnology. She shared four key strategies for breaking the bamboo ceiling in the workplace. I took great notes and plan to reflect on them more deeply later, but one quote immediately struck me.
"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." - Zig Ziglar
What is the Bamboo Ceiling?
The term “Bamboo Ceiling” was introduced by career coach Jane Hyun in her book Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians. She describes it as “a combination of cultural, organizational, and individual factors that impede the career progress of Asian-American talent inside organizations.”
I had heard of the “Glass Ceiling” before, but not this. It resonated right away. As a first-generation Chinese American professional, I’ve felt the subtle barriers that can hold back Chinese professionals from stepping fully into leadership roles. Hearing this reality named and discussed openly, and seeing leaders like Dr. Hua address it while offering practical strategies, was both affirming and motivating. It strengthened my own resolve to grow as a leader while helping others do the same.
Give before You Ask
One of Dr. Hua’s main strategies was to build strong relationships. She shared Zig Ziglar’s famous quote as mentioned above. This line stayed with me: leadership isn’t about climbing higher alone, but about lifting others as we rise. This reminds me of the importance of sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and creating space for diverse voices. For me, that means making an effort to mentor colleagues, support my peers, and help create a place where everyone can succeed.
Just a few weeks ago, I expressed my interest in joining the Leadership Institute Committee of the American Phytopathological Society, whose mission is to foster leadership skills among its members and encourage them to become leaders in their profession and within the Society. Last Friday, I received the acceptance email from the committee chair. I’m thrilled to join the Leadership Institute, where I can help others, share my knowledge, and contribute to building leadership across our APS community while learning from others and growing as a leader.
Ziglar’s quote will stay with me as a guiding principle: give, help, and share generously. In lifting others, I will also grow and thrive. The question I want to keep asking myself is: how can I give before I ask on my own journey?
What about you? How do you practice giving before asking in your own career journey?
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