Akiko Takahashi's career shifts have been as varied as the number of countries she has lived and worked in. Born of Japanese ancestry in South Korea, she lived most of her life in the U.S. before finding herself back in Asia again in the mid-1990s. Takahashi is currently Group Director of Human Resources for the Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, based in Hong Kong. Her role is to facilitate her company's corporate culture change initiatives as well as oversee the group's human resources strategies.

Prior to this, Takahashi was a former senior vice president of the Bank of America in Hawaii and, years earlier, director of human resources for more than 10 Sheraton Hotels in Hawaii and Japan. The first 13 years of her career was in retailing, encompassing all aspects including buying, store management as well as human resources responsibilities for specialty upscale department stores.

Never intending to go into business - she wanted to become a classical musician - Takahashi admits her many years of work experience in Hawaii proved to be the perfect training she needed for the multicultural setting she now finds herself in. She relates some of her experiences in the following interview:

What made you decide to go into the HR field and the hotel industry?

I was intending to become a classical musician. Never intended for me to go into business. It just happened. Going into HR was an accident. I was a merchandise buyer, and one day the chairman of the company said in a meeting that we needed an HR Director. As the company was growing, this was one of the most important positions. He did a stint as a VP for HR before becoming chairman and CEO. He looked at me and told me that I should be that person. Within a few weeks, I was the HR Director. Didn't even know what HR was then!

How long have you been working in Asia?

Continuously, for over 5 years.

Before moving to Hong Kong, you worked in Hawaii and Japan. How would you compare working in these different cultures?

Working in Hawaii is a great training ground for diversity. Hawaii is comprised of 75% Asians, primarily Chinese and Japanese, with a growing number from the other Asian cultures like Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. Hawaii today is made of second- and third-generation Asians, with strong influence of Asian values mixed with Western values called: Hawaiian values.

I didn't really work in Japan over a long period of time. I went there primarily during openings of hotels on a project basis. I was unfortunate in that I have a Japanese name and ancestry, but didn't speak Japanese. So behind my back, I think the locals thought less of me. However, I was fortunate in that I was there with a fair amount of authority and position, so they had no choice but to listen to me. Nevertheless, my curiosity about my own heritage and its culture were genuine, and I think the locals at least saw that I was trying. Wherever you are, one must respect the culture and country -- and the Japanese saw that in me. Language is an asset, of course, but one's heart and willingness to understand the local culture is equally, if not more, important. If they feel that you are competent, in the end, that also wins out.

One must follow through on the results, and be aware of, but not obsessed about, the female role in Japan. Foreign women definitely have it easier than local women.

What advice would you give women climbing the corporate ladder in Japan?

Be humble, polite, listen, and respect those around you, yet, assert yourself in an Asian way. As a "pseudo" -Japanese, I was able to get away with more non-Japanese behavior but I do think it is important to be more aware of the nuances without having to give up your assertion.

How do you find working in a predominantly Chinese culture this time?

I do not think about it that much, other than to be aware of the nuances. Nevertheless, the trait of humility is a most important ingredient here in Asia. If I were to go back to the United States one day, I hope that I remember this important Asian value.

Any plans of moving back to the West?

Not actively...whatever destiny holds, it will happen. But, I am not proactively thinking of doing that. Europe is fascinating because of my love of culture, history and music.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Maintaining my sanity and dignity when all else goes against it.

Any personal philosophy you cling to during difficult situations at work?

The serenity prayer about giving me the courage to change those things I can, and the patience to accept those things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.

A favorite motto of mine is: "Don't change with the times, change BEFORE the times. Innovation means never having to say it can't be done." This is from Rosabeth Moss-Kanter, the Harvard professor on change and innovation.

What advice would you give other career women?

Don't worry about being a woman. Worry about doing your job the best that you can. Professionalism is genderless. Also, we are living in an era where women have options: career AND personal life. We can have it ALL, but not necessarily all at once, so don't have this expectation that you can a be super achiever in all these areas at the same time.

How often do you travel for business and where?

I travel about 40% of the time and primarily to our hotels in Asia. There are more infrequent travels to the United States and Europe.

Do you usually travel alone or with colleagues?

I mostly travel alone.

Do you enjoy traveling?

Yes, I very much enjoy traveling, business or personal. It is an exploratory experience and brings me closer to different cultures.

Any special or unique experiences as a female business traveler?

Absolutely. I traveled once with our CEO in a well-established airline. As we proceeded to check in, the ground crew told the CEO, "I am so sorry, I cannot sit you next to your female traveling companion... " Our CEO found it amusing since he knew I was upset. Asia needs to be sensitized to the fact that not ALL females traveling with men are either female companions or subordinates!