Leadership expert Freddie Guilmard of RTP speaks with entrepreneur Qiting (Tammy) Zhang, founder of One Better, on how courage, clarity and connection are shaping her vision for a new kind of social platform.
A few months ago, Qiting (known to most as Tammy) invited me for a coffee to share an idea she was passionate about. We had first crossed paths during a change programme at an engineering manufacturer where she worked, but this time she wanted to talk about something different — her bold vision for One Better, a new kind of social platform built on genuine human connection.
What struck me most wasn’t just the idea—it was her courage. Tammy had resigned from a secure, full-time role to bring One Better to life. As I listened, I could see the determination in her eyes: she wasn’t just starting a business, she was building a movement.
Building a house from scratch
When I asked her about her biggest leadership challenge, Tammy didn’t hesitate: clarity of vision.
“In the early days, it feels like building a house from scratch on your own with a limited budget,” she says. “You’re doing everything—laying the bricks, holding up the roof, and still being the anchor for the team. If I hesitate, the team feels it. So I have to provide clarity and direction, even when resources are thin.”
That clarity has been essential in attracting advisors and partners who are aligned not by immediate returns, but by belief in what One Better can become.
Plans change—but people still matter
Tammy has also been shaped by the turbulence of the past few years. “Any plan can collapse overnight,” she reflects. “Younger people don’t just want a salary anymore—they want culture, purpose, and belonging. And ironically, the more time people spend online, the hungrier they are for face-to-face connection.”
It’s why she insists on gathering the team in person whenever possible. “Zoom is useful,” she says, “but no screen can replace the spark of being in the same room.”
Letting go of perfection
One of Tammy’s biggest leadership lessons has been about unlearning perfectionism.
“I used to lose sleep over mistakes,” she admits. “Now I see that most of the time, they’re not failures—they’re stumbles. And a stumble can be a valuable lesson. Sometimes you need a wrong turn to know a road is truly blocked. That’s how you find the right direction.”
For her, the real failure would be giving up.
From numbers to people
Like many founders, Tammy started out measuring success in metrics—growth, downloads, attendance. But she quickly realised that numbers can be hollow if the people behind them feel drained.
“Now, after every event, I don’t start with KPIs. I ask, ‘How are you feeling?’” she says. “Some of the best conversations happen over a pint when we stop talking about targets and start talking about life. When people feel seen and cared for, creativity flows—and performance follows.”
Asking harder questions
Only a few months since launch, Tammy and her team are already shifting focus. “At first, it was all about the ‘how’—how to run events, how to attract users,” she explains. “Now, it’s about the ‘why’. Are we solving the problems we set out to? Are we staying true to our values?”
Those deeper questions, she believes, will define whether One Better becomes just another app or something more meaningful.
A conductor, not a soloist
Looking ahead, Tammy knows the leadership style her organisation will need. “One Better isn’t just about technology,” she says. “It’s about cultivating a culture of authentic connection. That means the next leader has to be a connector—like a conductor bringing together an orchestra. They don’t play every instrument, but they bring harmony.”
Her preparation is simple but intentional: broadening her perspective, connecting across industries, and reminding herself to grow one conversation at a time—just as One Better encourages its users to do.
“Rapid Fire” with Tammy
A book you keep coming back to
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. “It resonates not just as a woman founder, but as a reminder that leadership is about creating space for others to lean in too.”
A mistake that taught you something valuable
“Tiptoeing around decisions and fearing failure. I’ve learned that stumbles teach more than inaction ever could.”
One piece of advice for a new leader
“Anchor your team in vision, but don’t forget the human side—listen, connect, and let people feel they belong.”
