James Parker

Media Writing
A Question of Integrity
Lesley Ngai-Parker is a prominent businesswoman in Malaysia, who struggled with stereotypes and an
iniquitous system, but still achieved great levels of success regardless of her roadblocks.

The smells of freshly made dumplings waft in the humid air of Ipoh, Malaysia, as
the sun peaks its head from the slopping mountain ranges that surround the small town.
Theres a slow, steady pace about the town, and you can almost hear the creak of old
bones and muscles getting ready for the hustle and bustle the day brings. Life here is
simple, and since the decline of the coal and mining industry, Ipoh has stagnated
becoming both retirement home and deathbed for many of its aging residents. As the
local chicken rice owner begins the satisfying work of preparing a hearty breakfast, a
small road is visible in-between the shop and an old abandoned preschool. Follow this
wind-swept road and you might run into a quaint, little and very elderly Chinese women,
who may invite you in for a cup of tea and tell you about the story of how her little girl
rose from small town tomboy to one of the most notable businesswomen in the capital.

Lesley Ngai-Parker was once the unruly, shorthaired tomboy who sat at the back of her
all girls Catholic school at Main Covenant Ipoh, but now is Chief Corporate Service
Officer for one of Southeast Asias fastest growing telecommunications provider. Having
worked over 20 years in over 3 major industries, (banking and finance, infrastructure
construction and telecommunications) she has steadily made a name for herself in the
highly competitive South East Asian business world. In addition, she has also served as
Senior GM for Alliance Financial Group, Director/VP for Channel Resources and
Development in Citibank, and has also maintained an active level of participation in her
James Parker
Media Writing
local church. As not only a women, but also as a Chinese minority, she has suffered from
versions of sexism and racism not only in her workplace but also in her everyday life.
But, no level of prejudice or stereotyping could ever eliminate her drive to get better and
better, and she stands a shining testament for people everywhere who are being
persecuted because of their skin color or gender. In a time where workplace inequity is a
common debate, and affirmative action is still very controversial, maybe we can learn
something from Lesleys example. Maybe we learn the factors behind her success and
then hopefully apply them to similar-minded people.

One of the first challenges Ngai-Parker faced on her way to the top was the issue of her
race. As a Chinese-Malaysian growing up in the predominantly Malay-Malaysian
population, she realized that the playing field was unfair to begin with, and knew from an
early age that she would have to work harder than her peers if she wanted to stand out.
She fondly recalls memories of her father, a role model in Ngai-Parkers life, not only
from a professional standpoint, but also from a personal and ethical stance. I grew up
knowing my own Dad as an entrepreneur. He built his business from scratch. He had a
successful mining company for a while, but when that business ended, he transitioned (or
transformed) himself into manufacturing, fruit and fish farming, and construction
industry. She then pauses and slowly, but fondly remarks, my Dad has had the biggest
impact on me as a professional person, but his lessons extend to so much further than the
workplace.

James Parker
Media Writing
Over the past two decades, Ngai-Parker has steadily been building her career,
consistently looking at ways to give her the competitive edge. But, her life is not strictly
business as she has a very serious and fruitful life as a Christian as well. When asked
about how her devotion as a Christian has affected her business, she responded hesitantly
at first but then added, As a Christian I believe in doing whats right and what is
compassionate. She further stated, regarding the culture of unethical behavior in Asian
business, My devotion helps me remain honest and has saved my integrity on more than
one occasion. What this means is that I dont pretend to be what I am not. I do what I say,
and this means not cheating, and it definitely means never taking any bribes.

In fact, Ngai-Parkers willingness to remain ethical could be one of the reasons behind
her success. Former Marketing Intern at Kuwait Finance House, Sachin DeSaram, recalls
his former employers tough stance on workplace integrity and how it has affected his
professional life. It was no secret that the higher ups were taking little kick backs here
and there. A Rolex on the side, a discounted BMW, first-class tickets to Paris you
know, these kinds of things. But Lesley never budged. She was humble and grounded and
was one of the few senior GMs who never even thought twice about taking a kickback.
Thats something, especially in Malaysia, and it has helped me make the right decision
more than once.

Recent years have not been any less challenging for Ngai-Parker, as new business
industry brings new problems, but also new opportunities. As social media begins to
revolutionize the way business conduct their everyday processes, telecommunications has
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Media Writing
begun to play an even bigger role in business. Ngai-Parker, who has hopes that her
company can remain competitive in a market that already, has two major providers. She
says she takes her life one day at a time, but I find that hard to believe when looking over
her preposterously busy schedule for the upcoming week. Hover, with hard work and
good leadership she can help guide her company to greater accomplishments. But is hard
work or leadership really the most important qualities that Ngai-Parker values?

The answer may surprise you, as Ngai-Parker values integrity over just about any other
quality. Former entry-level finance employee at Citibank, Adam Grossman, remembers
the day he was interviewed for the job by Ngai-Parker. I remember that she wasnt
interested so much in my MBA or past accolades. She seemed more interested in getting
a read on me, focusing instead on what I would do in certain situations versus what my
resume said.

It may appear that there is one quality that transcends gender or race, and that quality, as
noticed so aptly by Ngai-Parker is integrity. As government continues to get bigger and
bigger and companies begin wielding more and more power over their employees, we
need integrity in the workplace now more than ever. On the subject of integrity Ngai-
Parker had this to say, Real values dont change. Real values are qualities like integrity,
compassion, fairness, accountability and responsibility. These days when I hire a young
person I look for those qualities, then I look for intelligence. After all, what good is an
MBA if the person is going to cheat?

James Parker
Media Writing
Wise words to consider as we enter into a new fiscal year in the United States, and we
face some of the biggest challenges of our generation. The fiscal cliff, huge federal
deficits and a polarized government, are huge challenges we expect as we move on with
our educations and careers, but maybe we are looking too externally. Maybe, instead of
looking at complicated business processes and economical trends we should look at the
people behind these fads and movements. If we have unethical people creating an
unethical system in the United States than regardless of whatever tax implementations or
health care laws, we will still be in the same vicious cycle. True change needs to come
from the top down, as this is the only way to ensure that we preserve our business culture
and to a further extent, our economy.

Overall, Ngai-Parkers example of how one can overcome an unfair system may help
shine a light in a very dark time in the American economy. But, if we can take anything
away from Ngai-Parker, it is to never forsake your integrity because at the end of the day,
after the bribes and lies its the only thing we have left when we look in the mirror.