Adeline Tiah is a seasoned marketer with over 25 years of experience in top banks like HSBC and UOB, as well as telecommunications and startups. She is also an ICF-certified coach, skilled in human-centered design thinking and team coaching. As an adjunct lecturer and startup advisor, Adeline founded Soar Collective Asia to help organizations and leaders prepare for the future through coaching, speaking, and workshops.
Her latest pursuit as an author and writing REINVENT 4.0 marks a new chapter in her ongoing journey of growth and reinvention.
Highlights
Marketing Maverick on a Mission to Reinvent the Future: A Q&A
Q: What was your primary inspiration for writing this book?
A: Being an author was on my bucket list. Post-COVID, my coach asked me, “What would an 80-year-old thank you for what you do today?” I have been working for 25 years, helping companies build their brands and businesses; it’s time I do something for myself. So, I decided to quit my job and pursue a lifelong dream. That was the genesis.
Q: Who is the intended audience, and what do you hope they gain from it?
A: This book is intended for people who want to be in the driver’s seat of their career and future. The context of the book is Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0—hence, I have titled it REINVENT 4.0. The convergence of global megatrends (Aging population, Climate Change, Geopolitical tensions, and IR4) is accelerating the changes we are experiencing now.
IR4 is characterised by a fusion of technologies that blurs the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres, such as the IoT, blockchain, and the metaverse. The rise of GenAI has also created exponential change.
In a world characterized by rapid change, we need to shift away from our old ways of thinking and equip ourselves with the mindset to navigate whatever the changes might be. A mindset of permanent reinvention to ride the waves of change.
Q: What key insights or lessons are provided in your book?
A: In the book, I wrote about the 8 traits/mindset shifts that people need to embrace to be ready for the future of work. These are (1) Risk-taking mindset (2) Entrepreneurial thinking (3) Inclusiveness (4) Noticeable (5) Vulnerable (6) Empathy (7) Noticeable (8) Trans-disciplinary Learning.
The two traits that stood out for me and I believe is most important in today’s context is entrepreneurial thinking and building trans-disciplinary learning. We should stop looking for a job but start thinking of what problems can you solve, think like an entrepreneur. Likewise, life-long learning is a motherhood statement, we need to be intentional about picking up skills from different domains to widen our repertoire of skills. Take for example a HR Director now needs to learn design thinking and data-story telling. Because these are tools and skills that gives the HR Director new perspectives and enable her/him to think out of the box.
Q: What do you consider the main takeaway for readers?
A: Technology doesn’t get to decide the future; we do. Technology, geopolitical tensions, and many black swan events will continue to disrupt our lives. We need to embrace the mindset of constant reinvention. To ensure that our lives stay on the trajectory of increasing success (as defined by you), our goal is to become a master of change rather than a victim of change.
Q: How did you approach the book’s structure and design to convey your message best?
A: The book covers 8 traits or mindset shifts we need to have to be ready for the future of work. Each chapter covers 1 trait, and the chapter is supported by stories of clients I have coached. Then, at the end of each chapter, I feature an individual who exemplifies that trait.
Q: What research was necessary for crafting the content of your book?
A: I wrote the book way before GenAI was launched. So, every weekend, I would hit the library to borrow as many books related to my genre as possible. I scanned through to get ideas and to ensure I am writing something original in my context. The two books that frame my thinking are “The 100 Year Life” by Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton and “The Long Game” by Dorie Clark.
I reached out to many business leaders to interview them. I wanted to gain insight into the future of work and what drives the changes. However, the greatest insights came from over 800 coaching hours I invested in clients. This experience provided the data points I needed. I identified the key traits that made them successful in returning to work after disruptions. This allowed me to provide real-life stories.
Q: Which chapter is most essential for understanding the book’s theme?
A: I have a chapter after the Introduction dedicated to explaining the book and how readers could benefit. In fact, in this chapter, I provide the context to the “REINVENT” framework and explain what each of the traits means to individuals and why “reinventing” matters.
Q: In what ways do you hope your book will affect its readers?
A: I hope to give readers a unique perspective on renewing themselves through constant reinvention and working towards lifelong employability.
Q: What has been the overall reception from your readers?
A: My book was published in November 2022. Months before that, I started pre-marketing my book. The teaser campaign created awareness of the future of work and possible disruptions. My book launch coincided with the Big Tech layoffs and the launch of ChatGPT, which accelerated the disruptions. I started getting calls from clients for coaching.
Organizations also reached out to me to deliver keynotes and run workshops to help their leaders embrace a new mindset. My biggest projects have included a workshop in Phuket for a European MNC. I also led a Leadership Immersion Program for a French Conglomerate. These organizations are reinventing their business models. They are looking to empower their leaders with the right mindset and tools to drive change within their teams.
At the individual level, I also run cohort-based programs to help clients unlock their next chapter. I am very grateful and encouraged by these opportunities. This book has launched my “encore” career, leveraging my skills to pursue a purpose-filled vocation.
Unlock Your Future: Blueprint for Success in ‘REINVENT 4.0’
In “REINVENT 4.0,” Adeline Tiah shares her vision for navigating modern challenges with a mindset of reinvention and entrepreneurial thinking. Her insights also offer a framework for embracing change and seizing control of one’s career path. As Adeline inspires others through her coaching and workshops, her work underscores the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning in an ever-changing world.
