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What It REALLY Takes to Succeed in Finance [W&S 132 ft Blackrock & TRM Labs]

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You need more than spreadsheets and suits to thrive in finance today. Forget the Wall Street stereotypes — the game has changed.

You’ll discover:

  • The ONE mindset shift top finance pros swear by (hint: it’s not about suits or spreadsheets).
  • Why LinkedIn visibility is now your secret weapon (even in compliance-driven roles!).
  • The unspoken rules no one teaches you — until you learn them the hard way.
  • How "work-life integration" beats balance (and why passion trumps paychecks).

Meet our powerhouse guests:

  • Angela Ang, Head of Policy & Strategic Partnerships, APAC @ TRM Labs (Blockchain intelligence): From MAS regulator to crypto innovator — and a LinkedIn thought leader redefining policy influence.
  • Zhong Liang Han, Senior Investment Strategist at BlackRock, Forbes 30 under 30, LinkedIn Top Voice in Finance with the blue tick, decoding volatile markets and building a personal brand from the trading floor.

They’ve shattered ceilings in traditional finance and crypto — and they’re spilling truths about grit, authenticity, and why finance is WAY more diverse than you think. Don’t miss this candid crash course on building a finance career that doesn’t just pay well… but fuels you. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!

What We Discuss:

  • 04:19 Is visibility becoming more important in Asia’s traditionally low-profile work culture?
  • 11:35 What are the unspoken rules that you have encountered?
  • 13:32 What traits or behaviours help you succeed in finance, and which ones quietly hold you back?
  • 16:46 What does it really take to succeed or break into finance today?
  • 20:47 Do supporting roles in finance also need grit, networking, and visibility to succeed?
  • 25:13 What’s a common myth about working in finance that doesn’t match the reality?
  • 30:11 Should you switch to finance for the money if you're passionate about it? Where's the balance?

Episode Resources:


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