Career Summit For Future Malaysian Leaders

I was fortunate enough to be selected by IIUM to be one out of 10 representatives to the Career Summit for Future Malaysian Leaders which was held from 30th -31st May 2009 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, KLIA. The event was organized by Universiti Teknologi Petronas with the theme -
"Career Through Leadership".


The first speaker is Tan Sri Dato' Ernst Zullinger - member of Board of Director for Nestle. His speech entitled : Leadership & Your Career has enriched the delegates on the importants aspects of being a leader. Among the points that i jotted down were :

• Graduates must have a clever career planning. They must develop their character and personal traits during thier university years; such as believe, values, skills, and character.
  
• A dream is just a dream. A vision without action is only a halucination.
• Leadership is a person influencing others to accomplish an objective
• A leader must do the right thing - and provide vision, direction, strategies, and resources.
• There are three ways to be a leader ; naturally, through a crisis, and those choosing to learn.
  
• A leader must have honesty, integrity, commitment, courage, imagination, positive attitude, and discipline.
• We must learn to know ourselves because :

You are not what you think you are. You are not also what other people think about you.

The next speaker is Mr Richard Thompson - the Technical Director of PetrominWork Sdn Bhd. His presentation was rather interesting, especially because he used a lot of examples from the sports world in illustrating the styles of leadership. Here's among the points :

• 90% of business start ups fail. Businesses succeed because of strong leadership.
• A great idea is not enough. It must be supported with characteristics such as energy, passion, enthusiasm, drive, and focus.
• Ego, arrogance, and tactics - things that get in the way.
• Do not start a business without contact.
  
• Work hard than anyone else.
  
• Discussed business models - Football clubs, OSIM, AirAsia
• Focus on are which barriers to entry is high or timing can play a crucial role.

Datuk Vinod Sekhar, the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Petra Group amazed me with his impressive achievements because he became a millionaire at the age of 21. He told us his story building up a business during his undergraduate years in USA.

• Do something people have not done yet.
• Good guys always win.
• Always learn from new mistakes and new screw ups. Don't repeat them.
• Innovation takes courage.
• How to choose a project - Gut!
• We must accept failure.
• Do not try to please everyone.

During the convention dinner, Dato' Hj. Syed Zainal Abidin - the Managing Director of Proton Holdings Berhad gave a wonderful speech with the title Towards Effective Leadership. He told us his experience studying in the US and working in order to support him financially. He studied engineering there, but only practiced for 2 years before entering business. I admire him because he stresses a lot on the importance of religion in being successful in life.

• Look out for new opportunities.
• Enhance leadership skills beyond academic.
• Choose subject that we are passionate for.
  
• Set a personal 5 year target.
• Don't worry about mistakes, and take risks.
• Listen to what people are not talking.

The officiating speech was done by Mr Azran Osman Rani, the Chief Executive (CEO) of AirAsia X. At first I was shocked to look the way he dressed, because he wore only a simple tshirt and a cap to the event. But then I was to be told that this is the way he usually dresses to work. All in all, he is an example that we can be young and still be successful.

• Involve in physical activities.
• The spread of change is really really fast.
• Find job with opportunities.
• Have a network of friends.

The last session was conducted by Mr Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin, Group Executive Chairman of Rhythm & Consolidated Sdn. Bhd. His presentation was quite relaxed, but full of enthusiasme. He stated that he is involved in publishing, and this trigger my interest.

• Employers search for employees whom are : Intelligent, Prepared, Team Work, Communication skills.
• We must understand our employers.
• Read more.
• Keep an eye for details.
• Learn from industry players.
• Keep a clean image and presentation.

All in all, this seminar has enriched me more on the skills of being a leader. Congrats to Universiti Teknologi Petronas for organizing such a great programme for student leaders. Undeniably, it was a success. For those whom have attended the event, but we did not have the opportunity to talk, do drop me a line!