Melati Sarnita: An Ordinary Woman Facing 'Chaos' as Capital in the World of Work

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The President Director of PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), Melati Sarnita, believes that women are accustomed to managing “chaos” in everyday life. This becomes an important asset in leading organisations. According to Melati, the current work environment is full of uncertainties, from business pressures to global geopolitical upheavals, which demand that leaders make quick and accurate decisions. She says that women are fundamentally used to handling multiple things at once, so the ability to manage complex situations or chaos management becomes a natural advantage. “For mothers, it seems like living through crisis periods happens every day, so that’s something special for us, from waking up in the morning, every day actually already facing a crisis, so chaos management isn’t something new,” Melati stated at the Top Woman Fest 2026 held by CNBC Indonesia last weekend, quoted on Thursday (30/4/2026). According to Melati, the key to facing difficult situations is to focus and first understand and recognise what is happening. In high-pressure conditions, not everything can be resolved at once, so she stresses the importance of determining work priorities to ensure that the results achieved remain optimal. “First choose which priorities, work on that first because if the work period is all at the same time, I think in the end it won’t always be top-notch like you want it. So usually I always prioritise, focus yes, even though sometimes according to others ‘why not all like that’, but I believe one thing, more achievement is achievement,” she explained. In addition to the ability to manage crises, Melati also highlights the importance of personal branding for women in the workplace. She believes that a strong professional image will help someone be recognised and trusted within the organisation. She says that personal branding is formed from consistent performance and how a person faces challenges. For example, in her career journey in male-dominated sectors like energy and manufacturing, reputation is built from the ability to solve difficult problems. “If there’s a tough project, people remember us because of that. That’s what shapes personal branding,” she said. Melati adds that women also need to have confidence in their abilities. Without self-confidence, opportunities for development will be hard to achieve, especially in competitive work environments. She also reminds that every individual has a different career journey, so there’s no need to worry too much about competition. “The important thing is to know yourself, know where our strengths lie,” she said. On the other hand, she also emphasises the importance of mentors and support in the career journey. According to her, guidance from more senior figures can help women see potentials that may not have been realised before.