Jennifer Lee, vice-chair at Deloitte Canada, shares six practical tips to build impactful connections
Jennifer Lee (BA 鈥�00), vice-chair and senior partner at Deloitte Canada, believes that strong networks and relationships are key to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the workplace.鈥��
Jennifer Lee (BA 鈥�00)
Vice-chair and senior partner, Deloitte Canada
One of Lee鈥檚 standout initiatives is Asian Tiger Moms (ATMs), a nationwide platform for Asian C-suite leaders in the business community. Co-founded by Lee, ATMs evolved from a women鈥檚 networking group into a game-changing network supporting individuals in balancing career, family and personal growth. The group redefines its name as a symbol of resilience and success, embracing a mindset of abundance and growth. 鈥淎sians are often told to keep their heads down and work hard, but that only leads to middle management 鈥� not the C-suite,鈥� Lee explained.
Building on the success of ATMs, Lee helped launch the Asian Impact Maker C-suite community across Canada and the U.S., fostering critical business connections among Asian leaders. 鈥淒oing business together is key to building trust and connection,鈥� she said.鈥�
Lee鈥檚 journey from 蓝莓视频 co-op student to senior leader underscores the value of these meaningful relationships. She shares six practical tips to help build connections and leverage networks for lasting impact.鈥�
Adopt an abundance mindset鈥�Lee stresses the importance of approaching networking with an abundance mindset. 鈥淲hen someone operates with a scarcity mindset, they tend to act in ways that can undermine relationships,鈥� she said. This mindset fosters generosity and collaboration, enabling people to help others without expecting immediate returns. It鈥檚 an approach that builds trust and creates a supportive community that thrives on shared success.鈥�
Nurture existing relationships鈥�Networking isn鈥檛 just about meeting new people 鈥� it鈥檚 about nurturing relationships. 鈥淵our classmates, colleagues and friends are part of your network,鈥� Lee said. She emphasizes staying connected and adding value to these relationships. By maintaining trust and mutual respect, your network becomes a lasting asset. Lee prioritizes regular check-ins with her global and local connections, trying to keep relationships strong in both virtual and in-person settings.鈥�
Define your personal brand鈥�鈥淵ou are who you spend time with,鈥� Lee said, emphasizing that a network reflects your values, and a strong personal brand is key to building connections. 鈥淲hy does someone want to talk to you? Why do you want to talk to them?鈥� she asked. You can open doors to new opportunities by aligning your actions, communication and presence with your identity. Lee suggests thinking about how you introduce yourself and the five key phrases that define your brand.鈥�
Be thoughtful about your time鈥�鈥淭ime is finite, so plan it purposefully,鈥� Lee advised. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 plan your time, someone else will.鈥� She recommends scheduling activities that reflect priorities, whether family, work or personal growth. Despite a packed schedule that includes a demanding career, board roles and her children鈥檚 sports commitments, Lee emphasizes that thoughtful time management helps you focus on what matters.鈥�
Seek out and build trust鈥�Trust is essential in any meaningful relationship, personal or professional. 鈥淏usiness gets done with people you trust,鈥� Lee said. Build trust by being reliable, transparent and empathetic. Listen carefully, value others鈥� perspectives and meet their needs. Strong, trust-based connections foster lasting partnerships. 鈥淎t a recent Deloitte leadership off-site, we focused on empathetic leadership in an AI-driven world 鈥� human interaction and judgement are essential leadership attributes.鈥濃��
Think about your legacy鈥�Lee believes every decision should be guided by purpose. 鈥淎sk yourself, 鈥榃hat legacy will I leave?鈥� and let that vision shape your actions,鈥� she said. Whether mentoring, volunteering or championing causes, your legacy is built on the doors you open for others. For Lee, this means creating value for clients, developing future leaders, supporting underrepresented communities, and with her husband, raising two global citizens committed to making the world better.鈥�
Jennifer Lee is the vice-chair and a senior partner at Deloitte. Her clients include F100 and mid-market consumer clients, and she advises on mergers and acquisitions and value creation strategy.鈥� She has worked and lived in Asia, Europe and the U.S. in both industry and consulting roles.鈥疭he also volunteers in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, restructuring microfinance institutions to increase access to microcredit and reduce poverty. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.鈥��
