The best leaders are known to have a catalytic effect on the projects they spearhead, and the people they work with. During a conversation with Susanah Cheok, legal eagle Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi inspires with quotable quotes on what it means to be in command.
Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi defines success as having the luxury of time—how, where and who she spends it with is the key to making her feel accomplished and whole as a leader, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She wears the RM 037 Ladies’ Automatic watch by Richard Mille; and outfit by Stella McCartney.
When Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi was a young associate climbing the ranks in the law industry, there were hardly any Asian or women partners at Wall Street and Magic Circle law firms that she could have looked up to as role models. “I barely saw another woman on project financing transactions,” she recalls.
Today, as a partner at Latham & Watkins, an international law firm with presence in 14 countries, she remembers having humble role models close to home: “My paternal grandfather for daring to forgo comfort and security to take his mother across the treacherous sea to begin life anew, and my own parents who raised four daughters. They are the support structures by which I have roots as well as wings.”
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Her leadership philosophy is the stuff of quotable legend: “To take a team from ordinary to extraordinary”, which she emphasises can only happen if one understands and embraces the difference between management and leadership. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things,” she says. “Whether visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting or commanding, these are all part of my repertoire.”
“The best leaders will be those who lay the groundwork for others’ success, and then stand back and let them shine.”
Clarinda, who was named Project Finance Lawyer of the Year by The American Lawyer at its Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards in 2015, also adds this: “Leadership is not about glorious crowning acts.” Her aim, instead, is to empower her team and keep them focused and motivated to achieve their goal.
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Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow
Art Direction: Matilda Au
Styling: Randolph Tan
Hair: Grego/Indigo Artisans, using La Biosthetique
Make-Up: Sha Shamsi/Indigo Artisans, using Tom Ford Beauty
Photographer's assistant: Eric Tan and Darren Chan
Stylist’s assistant: Ong Jollin