How SchGo’s Ching Chia Uses Kindness to Lead
When people talk about leadership, especially in industries like manufacturing or engineering, the conversation often circles around data-driven decisions, profit margins, and performance metrics. At SchGo, we’ve built a reputation on precision, both in the parts we manufacture and the strategies we use to grow. But while data and metrics play an important role, the truth is, leading with empathy creates a stronger, more connected team. Precision leadership goes beyond spreadsheets. It’s about leading with clarity and compassion. It’s about knowing that people are just as important as processes.
For Ching Chia, VP of SchGo Engineered Products, this understanding came naturally, even if it meant pushing against the current. In a space traditionally dominated by men and driven by numbers, Ching has quietly led with empathy, consistency, and something far more enduring than metrics: kindness. Her story offers a powerful reminder that impactful leadership isn’t loud or aggressive. It’s intentional. It’s human. Most importantly, it makes room for people to be seen, heard, and valued.
Want to work with a team that leads with heart and delivers with precision? Let’s connect today.
Precision Leadership Meets Emotional Intelligence
Ching’s journey didn’t begin with boardrooms and balance sheets. She grew up in Singapore, where discipline and academic excellence were expected and delivered. After earning a double major in Marketing and Information & Management Science in the U.S., she spent six years as a Marketing Manager at a Fortune Top 75 company, before joining her husband Yong at SchGo in 2007. Back then, the company was just a team of four. Ching stepped into every role imaginable – payroll, HR, accounting, operations – learning as she went.
But what really defined her leadership wasn’t just the ability to wear many hats. It was how she wore them: with integrity, attention to detail, and a sincere focus on people. “I’ve had a few employees who left and eventually returned to work with us,” Ching shares. “I like to think it’s because we treated them like family.” It’s not uncommon for her to check in on former employees during the holidays, send a quick text, or offer guidance even after someone has moved on. At SchGo, those small gestures have become part of the culture – a culture built on leading with empathy, kindness, and respect.
This belief in leading with empathy has become a cornerstone of SchGo’s leadership philosophy, helping the company grow not just in size, but in trust and loyalty.
Creating the Next Generation of Female Leaders
Ching’s style is often quiet, but never passive. She brings the same discipline from her years of scholarly pursuits into her leadership – grace under pressure, precise decision-making, and the humility to accept feedback and grow. As more women step into leadership roles across industries, Ching offers this advice: “Lead with empathy and emotional intelligence. It’s a powerful tool. Don’t be afraid to make space for kindness – it belongs here.”
At SchGo, we believe that the future of leadership looks a lot like Ching: collaborative, clear-eyed, and deeply human. Impactful leadership doesn’t have to shout. Sometimes, it whispers, and everyone listens.
Looking for a leadership team that values both results and relationships? Reach out to SchGo and discover how we’re building more than just parts – we’re building trust.
