CEO describes how she conquered butterfly phobia

Eva Chen, the CEO of Trend Micro, is 64-years-old. (Images: trendmicro.com and weforum.org)

Eva Chen, the CEO of Trend Micro, has a unique story to tell. Beyond the intricacies of digital defense, Chen has confronted a deeply-rooted fear—lepidopterophobia, the dread of butterflies and moths. This peculiar fear, however, has not hindered but rather fuelled her journey as a leader. In an exclusive revelation to CNBC’s My Biggest Lessons, Chen unveiled the extraordinary tale of how conquering her childhood phobia became a source of strength in the boardroom.

Chen, 64, candidly shared her childhood fear of butterflies, a phobia that lingered into her adulthood without any apparent explanation. She confided, “When I was little, I was scared of butterflies. I don’t know why. Until now, I still don’t know why I think butterflies look very strange.”
This fear, seemingly inconsequential, took an unexpected turn when Chen assumed the leadership role at Trend Micro.

To confront her aversion, Chen adopted an unconventional approach—she surrounded herself with butterflies, albeit in the form of taxidermy. In an act of sheer determination, she adorned her workspace with preserved butterflies, making it impossible for her to evade their presence. This intentional immersion became her daily reality, a powerful strategy that forced her to confront the source of her discomfort.

"I put [the preserved butterflies] in my room, everywhere. I forced myself to look at the butterflies every day. And I started to wear everything that is butterfly-shaped," Chen revealed.

The transformation was profound. Over time, Chen not only overcame her lepidopterophobia but discovered a newfound belief in herself. The once-dreaded creatures metamorphosed from symbols of fear to emblems of resilience. As she put it, "Once I did that, I overcame my fear, then I believed in myself."

This personal triumph has become an integral part of Chen's professional armour. When faced with daunting decisions or challenging interviews, she turns to a subtle but potent reminder—her butterfly-shaped earrings. A tangible connection to her journey of overcoming fear, these earrings serve as a source of strength and affirmation.

Chen’s story shows that even the most successful of individuals may have unique, personal challenges that may seem extremely daunting for them to overcome.