# #41: From DBS Intern to CEO: Tan Su Shan on Redefining Leadership at the Top

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/41-from-dbs-intern-to-ceo-tan-su-shan-on-redefining-leadership-at-the-top
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/41-from-dbs-intern-to-ceo-tan-su-shan-on-redefining-leadership-at-the-top.md
Podcast: [CLOSER with Rachel Lim](https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501)
Published: 2025-05-06T23:50:00+00:00
Episode link: https://episode.flightcast.com/u9chx5zuoonlpoq4vorx12qu.mp3
Audio file: https://episode.flightcast.com/u9chx5zuoonlpoq4vorx12qu.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/episodes/41-from-dbs-intern-to-ceo-tan-su-shan-on-redefining-leadership-at-the-top
Duration seconds: 1653

## Resource

Tan Su Shan’s story is more than a career trajectory; it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to lead. In this special and intimate conversation during Love, Bonito's IWD event, Su Shan, now the CEO of DBS, reflects on her journey from intern to the top of one of Asia’s most influential banks. She opens up about the moments of self-doubt, the lessons learned from “demotions,” and how she learned to command a room without changing who she is. From cultivating clarity and conviction, to breaking through the “sticky floor” that holds many women back, Su Shan shares powerful truths about ambition, presence, and the price of leadership. Whether you're a rising leader, a seasoned professional, or simply navigating what it means to take up space in your own life, this conversation is filled with wisdom, warmth, and actionable insight. 00:00 Introduction 00:38 From Intern to CEO: Su Shan’s Early Days at DBS 02:04 When a “Demotion” Becomes a Turning Point 07:16 Facing Self-Doubt and Leading Through Discomfort 08:57 Learning to Command the Room with Confidence 12:02 Grounding Leadership in Customer-Centricity 14:08 How “WRECKOON” Shaped Her Perspective as a Leader 15:41 The One Leadership Skill That Will Define the Next Decade 17:57 The Best Investments Su Shan Has Made in Life 19:28 Q&A: Building Clarity and Communicating with Impact 21:07 Q&A: Finding the Right Mentors and Sponsors 23:59 Q&A: What It Really Takes to Build Great Teams 26:15 Final Reflections: What Leadership Means Today Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Su Shan here: linkedin.com/in/tan-su-shan-50296732

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