Pei Mun Lim is a trailblazer in the Salesforce ecosystem, with over 30 years of experience spanning Microsoft and Salesforce. From her early days as a systems engineer to founding Zenhao, a Consulting Leadership Academy, Pei has continuously focused on creating high-performing consulting teams. Her academy offers masterclasses to help Salesforce Partners level up their internal talent through a blend of technical training, emotional intelligence, and active listening—a combination she credits for her successful career.
A Career Rooted in Consulting Excellence
Pei’s journey into consulting has seen her wear many hats—business analyst, solutions architect, project manager, and more. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she recognized a gap in how consulting skills were taught, particularly in the Salesforce ecosystem. She launched Zenhao to address this need, offering practical, emotionally intelligent consultant training.
“While Trailhead teaches the platform, there wasn’t much on how to be a consultant, especially in mastering emotional intelligence and active listening,” Pei explained. She now delivers training globally, helping consultants understand not only the technical aspects but also how to communicate effectively with clients and team members.
The Power of Active Listening and Empathy
Pei’s years of volunteering for the Samaritans, a UK-based crisis hotline, have profoundly shaped her approach to consulting. “Just listening to the stories of a lot of people out there who are struggling in different ways helps me build a lot of empathy,” she shared. This skill has been invaluable in her work, enabling her to manage client relationships with grace and understanding. “When you approach others with empathy, you reduce human drama, and projects run more smoothly.”
Her ability to reflect on her own experiences also drives her passion for mentorship. “I’ve learned from both great and not-so-great leaders,” she said, “and I package those lessons to help others avoid the same mistakes.”
Key to a Successful Salesforce Consultant
When asked about the most essential quality for Salesforce consultants, Pei emphasized conscientiousness. “It’s about caring deeply for the quality of your work and relationships,” she said. “Being reliable, keeping promises, and learning from mistakes are crucial. This mindset helps you grow and build trust with clients and colleagues.”
Lessons from Defining Career Moments
Pei recounted two key moments that shaped her perspective on leadership and integrity. Early in her career, when faced with a failing project, her Chief Operating Officer stepped in—not with blame, but with support, listening to the situation and devising a solution. This moment taught her the importance of leading with empathy and problem-solving collaboratively.
Another defining moment involved a competitive bid where her team was tempted to review a rival’s confidential proposal. Her Chief Operating Officer stepped in with a powerful lesson in integrity, emailing the team: “Please can you delete that email? Don’t open anything. Win or lose, we will do it on our own merit. If we lose, we’ll know what we need to improve. If we win, we’ll know we were good enough.” This experience left a lasting impression on Pei, teaching her that success achieved with integrity is far more meaningful—a principle she carries forward in her work.
Books That Inspire Change
Pei is the author of two books, Salesforce Discovery 101 and Successful Salesforce Projects 101.
The first focuses on conducting proper discovery to ensure projects start on the right foot. “Many projects fail because they skip discovery or don’t ask the right questions,” Pei explained. Her second book offers guidance from the client’s perspective, helping them evaluate partners and set up projects for success.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
For Pei, balance comes from gratitude and partnership. Reflecting on her volunteering experience helps her maintain perspective, while her supportive husband enables her to thrive personally and professionally. “The right partner accelerates you, while the wrong one holds you back,” she noted.
Final Thoughts
Pei’s career exemplifies the power of combining technical expertise with emotional intelligence to create meaningful client relationships and successful projects. Her advice for aspiring consultants? “Be honest about what you know, care deeply about your work, and learn from your mistakes.”
Pei Mun Lim is not just a consultant; she’s a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration in the Salesforce community.
