Be a good listener

A shabby man approached me several days ago while I was eating rice soup at the university I am currently working for. Looking pale and without hope, he reported to me several of his troubles regarding his life and family--though not much at all of this man life have I known about. I sat there, silent and confused while my attention was all on him. Telling

stories after stories, the man admitted that he was rejected by many societal people, just because he was old. He called himself, useless and stupid. And continue to calling himself with these adjectives throughout his talk. I declined to share anything in such a situation as I sensed that this man just needed someone to listen to his stories and looked for emotional-social understanding from a stranger like me.

Just before leaving the table, he looked at me in the eyes and said "Son, you are the first person to listen to my stories with kind attention. Thank you for being kind hearted." Then, he walked away with a smile on his face.

Reflection:

Sometimes, being silent and involving spiritedly could remedy someone life greatly. It's advisable to share some of your time to listen to old lonely people stories.       

Ref

https://lifeaward.blogspot.com/2012/08/be-good-listener.html?m=1

Communicators style

Supportive Communicators

Supportive communicators appreciate a calm, steady approach. Earn their trust by providing them with plenty of reassurance. When seeking their opinions and ideas, encourage them to express their concerns and allow them time to make decisions.

 

Initiating Communicators

Initiating communicators value interacting with others and sharing stories. Allow time for socializing at the beginning of meetings and create a friendly, non-threatening environment. Provide time for them to express their feelings and opinions.

 

Direct Communicators

Direct communicators prefer when you get to the point quickly and in a succinct manner. When dealing with these communicators, be specific and avoid over-explaining or repeating yourself. Focus on solutions and only provide details when asked.

 

Analytical Communicators

Analytical communicators like facts and figures. Present information to them in an organized manner and be prepared to answer questions. Be patient while they think through and process new information.

Stand Up, Speak Up ; a journey of introvert engineer

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to learn about different communication styles and identify your primary style.

Overview: Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire to help you identify your style. Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or personal relationships. If you are uncomfortable discussing your communication style, you may speak about the communication styles you have encountered and how they impact you. Your speech should not be a report of the content of this project.

Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

Title : Stand Up, Speak Up ; a journey of an engineer

Introduction

A soft spoken and an introvert kid, grow up in boarding school, joined army program at university, end up in palm oil industry for the past 20 years.

Point 1: Requirement to speak

Roles of an engineer need to speak.

Roles of manager need to speak.

Roles of husband, need to speak.

Point 2: Learn to speak

Stand up and speak. 

Look for content to speak.

Learn to speak via various platform and medium such as workplace, MBA, Toastmasters, teaching, sharing, blogging, media social such as Facebook & Tiktok.

Point 3 : What i got in the journey?

As an engineer form me to be a direct communicator and analytical communicator. 

As a manager and leader in a organization, both require me to be a supportive and initiative communicator.

Friend and fellowship. New experience. New hobby. Enjoy life, go to the fullest of your ability.

Conclusion : 

To be an effective, loving, caring and friendly an engineer, leader, father, husband and friend, we all need to be four of communicator style subject to the situation. For my case, i still learning to improve every part of it. Help me in the journey.

Long life journey

Long life journey

Good evening, my fellow Toastmasters and guests,

1. It’s an absolute pleasure to stand before you today to deliver my Ice Breaker speech at this esteemed PD TMC. This marks my first official step in the exciting journey of public speaking. As tradition goes, I’ll use this opportunity to share a bit about who I am, where I come from, and what brings me here today.

2. I'd like to share my life story as a series of little adventures — some planned, many unexpected. I was born in March 1979 in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, and spent my early years in a small Malay village about 20 minutes from Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. I am the fifth of nine siblings. Both of my parents were farmers.

3. My childhood was full of adventure. In 1983, my family began migrating from our village to what is now my hometown, mainly due to limited infrastructure. Our old village lacked proper roads, clean water, and electricity. On top of that, saltwater contamination in the paddy fields forced most villagers — mainly our relatives — to relocate to a new township.

4. Growing up in our new home from the age of six was full of joy and new experiences. Everything was exciting to explore. I still remember the day we got our first refrigerator. So thrilled by the new appliance, we experimented by freezing all kinds of liquids — even breaking a glass in the process!

5. I was always curious, shy, energetic, adventurous, and soft-spoken. During primary school, I would often play in the field beside our house, imagining exciting scenes inspired by movies like Star Wars, Rambo, Indiana Jones, and Back to the Future. I also enjoyed Mandarin, Hollywood, Bollywood, and Tamil films.

6. From primary to secondary school, I remained a top student, continuing my journey from childhood to adolescence in my hometown. At 16, I received an offer to study at MRSM Kuala Terengganu. It was my first time living far from family. Most students were from Terengganu and Kelantan, but some came from Perak, Selangor, and Johor. To expand my social circle, I made friends with those from other states.

7. After SPM, I enrolled in the matriculation program at USM in Penang. I embraced new cultures and languages — and discovered delights like nasi kandar and nasi lemak, available 24 hours at roadside stalls. In 1999, I started my Mechanical Engineering degree at USM Seri Iskandar in Tronoh, Perak. After nearly three and a half years, the campus was acquired by Universiti Teknologi Petronas, and we were moved to the new Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal, Penang.

8. At university, I was very active in the Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU). I joined primarily for the allowance, which helped cover some of my expenses. In 2002, we graduated as Young Officers, and USM hosted the graduation ceremony that year.

9. After graduating in 2003, my first job was with a steel manufacturing company in Seberang Prai. A few months later, I returned home at my mother’s request to find a job closer to our hometown. I became a sales engineer, earning RM700 a month while continuing to search for better opportunities. I regularly checked The Star newspaper, especially the 2nd and 3rd Saturday editions. By the end of 2003, I moved to Subang Jaya to work as a process engineer at an electronics manufacturing plant. Then, in March 2004, I relocated to Lahad Datu, Sabah, to begin my career as a Cadet Engineer in the palm oil industry.

10. Arriving at one of the company’s remote mills — three hours from Lahad Datu town — there was no turning back. With limited access to the outside world, I had no choice but to adapt and survive. From 2004 to 2024 — nearly 20 years — I built my career in the palm oil sector, becoming a certified steam engineer and later a manager overseeing both upstream and downstream operations in mills and refineries.

11. In 2019, I joined my current company, which took me to Nilai (Negeri Sembilan), Pasir Gudang (Johor), and Lahad Datu (Sabah). In early March 2025, I was transferred once again to the Nilai plant. I am now scheduled to be transferred to Dumai, Indonesia, within the next three months.

12. Over the past 30 years, I’ve traveled extensively across Malaysia — from Terengganu, Penang, and Perak to Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor. I married a Sabahan and have five children — the eldest is now in pre-university and the youngest in Standard One.

13. Perhaps the most defining part of my journey has been my decision to join Toastmasters. I've always admired great speakers, but I used to struggle with stage fright and articulating my ideas. Joining this club is my way of stepping out of my comfort zone — to grow both personally and professionally. I aspire to become a confident communicator, someone who can inspire and connect with people through words.

14. So here I am — ready to learn, ready to improve, and most importantly, ready to begin this new journey with all of you.

Thank you for giving me this platform. I look forward to the road ahead and getting to know each of you better as we grow together.

Long-life Journey

Good evening my fellow Toastmasters and guests,

1. It’s an absolute pleasure to stand before you today for my Ice Breaker speech at this reputable PD TMC — my first official step in this exciting journey of public speaking. As the tradition goes, I’ll use this chance to tell you a little about who I am, where I come from, and what brings me here today.
2. I would like to share my life journey as a collection of little adventures — some planned, many unexpected. I was born in March 1979 at Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, where I spent my early years surrounded by a small Malays village, 20 minutes from Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra. I am the fifth of nine siblings. Both my parent are farmer.
3. My childhood memories are full of adventure. In 1983, my family started migrate from a small village to my current hometown mainly due to utility limitation. The old village dont have road connection, treated water and electricity. In addition to paddy field contaminate with sea water, force majority of the villager which is mainly our relative migrate to new township. 
4. Growing up at new home at the age of six year old, all new experienced become full of joys and memories. everything is new to explorer. I remembers when we first time have refrigerator. excited with the new electric equipment, we did experiment will all kind of water putting on the top of freezer side, to extent a glass is broken. 
5. I was always curious, shy, energetic, adventurous and soft-spoken. During primary school, i always spent time a field just beside my house imagine whatever adventurous scene which is inspire me from movies i watched such as  Star Wars, Rambo, Indiana Jones & Back to Future. Not forgotten all mandarin, Hollywood, Bollywood and Tamil movies. 
6. From primary school to secondary school, as top student of the class, i keep exploring the life journey from kid to teenage at my hometown. At age 16 years old, i got an offer to enter MRSM Kuala Terengganu. It if first time i experience new life far from family. Majority of the student are from Terengganu and Kelantan. Some from Perak, Selangor and Johor. To widen my friendship, i start to close with friends such as from Selangor and Perak.
    

   

   
   
7. After SPM, i got an offer to enter Matriculation at USM, Penang. Learn the new culture, language, nasi kamdar and nasi lemak 24 hours selling at the roadside, not only for breakfast. In 1999, i start my first degree in Mechanical Engineering at USM Seri Iskandar, Tronoh, Perak for almost 3 and half years. The campus has been bought over by University Teknology Petronas and we are moving to new campus at Engineering Campus Nibang Tebal, Penang. 
8. At University, i very active in Reserve Officer Training Unit or ROTU. The key reason i joined the unit as the program offer allowance. The amount of money cover some of my expenses at university. In 2002, we are graduate as Young Officer as the USM become the host of the year graduation ceremony.
   
   
   
9. After graduate in 2003, my first workplace is one of steel manufacturing company at Seberang Prai. After few months, i went back home as my mother requested me to look for a job nearby at hometown. At my hometown, i work as sales engineer with starting salary RM700 per month. at the same time, i looking for another job. The Star every saturday of 2nd and 3rd weeks edition to look for another job opportunities. End year 2003, i went to Subang Jaya to start working as process engineer at electronic manufacturing plant. In March 2004, went to Lahad Datu, Sabah to started my career as Cadet Engineer in palm oil industry. 
   
   
   
10. As i arrived at one of the remote mills in the company which is three hours from Lahad Datu town, there are no more turning back. Lack of access left me no option than survive in the plantation. From 2004 to 2024 which is almost 20 years, i have developed my career to be a steam engineer, palm oil mill manager and refineries which are cover both upstream and downstream of the industries. 
    
    
    
11. In 2019, i joined my current company which is bring me to Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Pasir Gudang, Johor and Lahad Datu, Sabah. Early of March 2025, i was transfer for second time to Nilai Plant, Negeri Sembilan. i am schedule to be transfer from Nilai to Dumai, Indonesia for the next 3 months.
    

    

    
    
    
    
12. For more than 30 years, when i start travelling far from home, to Terengganu, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, married to Sabahan and have 5 kids which are now the oldest at pre university and the youngest at standard one. 
    

    

    
    
    
    
13. But perhaps the most defining part of my journey has been my decision to join Toastmasters. You see, while I’ve always admired great speakers, I used to struggle with stage fright, expressing ideas. Joining this club is my way of stepping out of my comfort zone and growing both personally and professionally. I want to become a more confident communicator, someone who can inspire and connect with people through words.
    
    
    
14. So here I am — ready to learn, ready to improve, and most importantly, ready to start my new journey with all of you.

Thank you for giving me this platform. I’m excited for the road ahead and to get to know each of you better as we grow together.

Termination

1. Benar kata pepatah, kita hidup umur semakin menua, uban putih di kepala, garam lebih banyak disedut badan. Begitulah jua pengalaman hidup mendewasakan kita sepanjang usia. Kita jadikan setiap pengalaman pahit manis sebagai panduan untuk kita menghadapi hari - hari mendatang.

2. Semasa berumur 27 tahun, disebabkan lulus lesen jurutera stim, saya telah diarahkan untuk menjaga sebuah kilang sawit. Itu adalah pertama kali saya menjawat jawatan pengurus. Setelah bermula sebagai kadet jurutera, penolong jurutera.

3. Saya tidak pernah kongsikan cerita ini melalui media sosial, namun saya sering jadikan cerita kepada staff saya.

4. Disebabkan perkara ini berkait dengan situasi yang saya hadapi, ia mengingatkan saya kisah sama yang telah saya alami.

5. Sebagai pengurus muda, paling muda dalam syarikat semasa tempoh itu, saya menghadapi banyak kesukaran. Apabila muda, semua orang yang telah berpengalaman dan berusia akan banyak mempersoalkan segala tindakan dan keputusan kita. Sejak menjawat jawatan kadet jurutera, saya sudah biasa dengan keadaan tersebut. Di rumah pun apa yang kita buat sering dipersoalkan.

6. Dipendekkan cerita, saya mempunyai seorang penolong yang berusia hampir 15 tahun lebih tua dari saya. Disebabkan itu, setiap arahan saya tidak dilaksanakan dan ia menjadi kesukaran kepada saya. 

7. Saya ajukan hal tersebut kepada orang atasan saya. Saya justifikasikan dengan beberapa alasan dan saya mahukan dia diberhentikan. Pada masa itu disebabkan darah muda saya, saya agak emosi. Saya juga katakan, kalau dia tidak diberhentikan, saya yang akan berhenti.

8. Maklumbalas bos saya pada masa itu agak relevan. Dia berkata, "Zul, it is not that easy. To terminate someone, we have to follow lots procedures. Or else, we will end up with Labor Court issues".

9. Saya balik ke ladang. Berfikir dan mengamati apa yang dia maksudkan. Beberapa tahun berikutnya, saya mendalami selok belok segala urusan berkenaan pengurusan staff di tempat kerja. 

10. Ya benar, apa yang dia cakap adalah tepat. Ia tidak semudah mengikut emosi kita untuk menamatkan perkhidmatan mana - mana staff kita. Ia memerlukan banyak proses dan kes yang dibawa mesti kuat untuk menjustifikasikan tindakan tersebut.

11. Seperti yang saya katakan, saya telah lalui zaman emosi darah muda dan telah banyak belajar melalui pengalaman. Mungkin ada yang tidak bersetuju, namun pengalaman diri - sendiri ini cukup berharga untuk dijadikan panduan pada masa hadapan.

Jangan ikut emosi. Jadilah professional dan dapatkan nasihat dari orang yang lebih berusia (banyak makan garam dan tekanan darah sudah tinggi).