What happens when the career title you worked so hard to earn no longer reflects who you are—or the life you want to build?
In this episode, Coach Jon sits down with Malcolm Chen, an investor relations manager, entrepreneur, career advisor, community builder and proud cat daddy based in Singapore.
Malcolm shares how his unconventional career journey took him through hospitality, human resources, marketing, communications, adult education, entrepreneurship and investor relations—and why those pivots ultimately helped him separate his identity from his job title.
Together, Jon and Malcolm explore how our definitions of success change over time, why career growth does not always mean climbing the corporate ladder and how professionals can begin building financial and career resilience before they desperately need it.
Malcolm also shares honest lessons from starting multiple businesses, balancing ambition with burnout, building a community around his pet products company and choosing progress over perfection when launching something new.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
• Why your job title should not become your entire identity
• How burnout can force you to reconsider what success means
• Why career pivots do not have to follow a traditional path
• How to build a career safety net through skills, interests and relationships
• The difference between planning carefully and getting trapped in analysis paralysis
• Why community is becoming more valuable than simply producing more content
• How purpose can extend beyond work and income
• What LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion can look like in Singapore
• Why you do not have to follow someone else’s definition of success
Whether you are considering a career pivot, building a side business, questioning your professional identity or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation will encourage you to remain open to the next adventure.
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Malcolm Chen
02:30 – An unconventional career across multiple industries
03:00 – Realizing you are more than your job title
05:23 – Burnout, mental health and rebuilding career identity
08:09 – What happens when your identity is tied to work?
09:56 – Redefining success beyond climbing the ladder
13:01 – Titles, comparison and choosing work-life balance
14:55 – Career decisions that felt risky but paid off
17:36 – Returning to corporate life in a completely new role
19:47 – How to recognize when it is time to pivot
22:37 – Building a career and financial safety net
25:38 – Common mistakes people make with side businesses
27:48 – Progress over perfection in entrepreneurship
29:45 – Balancing business ambition without burning out
32:40 – Building a pet business around community and purpose
35:27 – How Malcolm’s definition of purpose has evolved
37:55 – LGBTQ+ professional life in Singapore
39:19 – Pink Dot, LGBTQ+ rights and social progress
43:04 – Pride celebrations in Singapore and the United States
45:26 – Misconceptions about LGBTQ+ life across Asia
48:49 – What global LGBTQ+ communities can learn from one another
52:15 – Rapid-fire questions with Malcolm
54:42 – Malcolm’s message for anyone feeling stuck
55:39 – Final reflections and how to take your next step
Feeling stuck, disconnected or unsure about your next professional move?
Through the Empowered Career Transformation Program, Coach Jon helps professionals move from career confusion and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, strategy and aligned action.
Send Coach Jon a message with the word CLARITY to learn more or schedule a career clarity conversation.
