Be the Boss

On Saturday we unlocked a milestone. My first self-initiated event for my Education & Welfare Team of The Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC). We normally piggy back on events already organized by others. This time, I was inspired by all the wealth of knowledge senior executives have; especially those who have helmed their positions and worked up the corporate ladder to the very top.

My meeting with Jonas Anthony at Panasonic one day, arranged by my mentor, Lean Management expert Dr William Teh, triggered the birth of "Be The Boss" - a forum where we had industry greats come together to share their experience on how they made that quantum leap to the very top of their business success.

My Curtin Alumni committee were quick to support the idea and we brainstormed the idea to invite Ansara/Curtin Alumnus Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff, Director of Bank Islam Malaysia. While searching for a good venue, we thought of Monash University at Sunway; the only full-fledged Australian University Campus in Peninsula Malaysia. The Monash team was very supportive, and recommended their choice for speaker, Monash Alumnus Tian-Pouw Pun (TP), Principal of KornFerry. So then; we have 3 fantastic people. Nik representing the finance/banking industry, TP representing human resource and Jonas from manufacturing.

On the day of the event, the speakers shared a very honest take on their humble beginnings; of all the challenges they faced, how they overcame them and how perseverance, courage and will - to keep going and not give up; became their quantum leap to success. It is a case of appreciating all the opportunities that were presented to them, getting skilled on their areas of expertise, learning the "art of learning and application", communicating well and understanding what is the end goal that they want to achieve.

All 3 speakers, although different in personality and background, shared a common substance of willingness to learn, willingness to change, drive to improve and doing what is right above what they were ordered to do.

"I do not want to be told what to do. I want to do what is right"; says Nik. "If I don't trust you, you don't work for me. If you work for me, I am prepared to stand by you and cover for you".

"Do it from the heart," says TP, when he shared his story of tackling a difficult client who is now his best friend. "You can't fake passion. Understand your WAW - Willingness Ability & Why"

"There will be a time when we get tempted to take the path of least resistance. We must ensure that we are compliant. Have courage to say no to irregularities. Say no to short cuts" says Jonas.

After the 90 minute session, it was heart-warming for me as moderator to have participants interested to connect with the speakers and ask questions.

There was a participant who told me that she is impressed by the event. "When the speakers shared about failures, it was as if they are just like us. We are not far apart. They have failed and overcame many challenges. Gives us the confidence that we can be like them. It is unrealistic when speakers only speak of success. This forum, the speakers were very honest to share their insecurities, fears and how it never stopped them from moving forward," says Lenny Chiah, Victoria University Alumnus General Manager of Sin Chew.

My 3 key takeaway from this session is that; 

1.Leaders should not compete with their subordinates. "You are already at the top. Trust and train your people to be better so that you can move up"

2.Have courage - stand up for what we believe in ; change what we can change and not leave things to status quo especially when it isbelow standard. 

3.Put in the work. Know what we want and go get it.

Thank you Nik, TP and Jonas for taking time off your busy schedule to share your wealth of experience with us. Thank you organizing committee from Curtin Alumni; Dean (also from Ansara Langkawi), Ryann, Saran, Michelle and Wayne for your dedication to ensure this event a success. Thank you Pat Yeoh,  President of MAAC and team for your support. Thank you Monash team, Sheniera, Ridzuan and Gavin for co-organizing.

We look forward to more nation building events like these in the future.