“I am not a leader. Or maybe… not a good one.”
That’s how Amir once felt, especially in his early years as a mill engineer turned manager.
He thought leadership was about giving instructions, showing authority, and expecting results.
In truth, what he was doing was:
1. Showing power and authority.
2. Expecting others to follow without proper guidance.
3. Instructing, then leaving them to figure things out.
Some of his team pulled through. Some… didn’t.
And that reality mirrored his personal life too. As the eldest among his siblings, Amir thought he was “leading” when in fact, he was just ordering.
The Turning Point
Years later, facing real struggles at the palm oil mill — breakdowns, safety issues, demotivated staff — Amir realised something profound:
Leadership was not about titles.
It was about being present.
He began to change his style:
Instead of disappearing after giving orders, he stayed with his team until problems were solved.
Instead of barking at operators, he guided and coached them through troubleshooting.
Instead of hiding during audits, he stood in front, shielding his staff and taking responsibility.
And most importantly, he learned to listen more than he talked.
What He Learned the Hard Way
Amir admits he regrets some of his earlier mistakes — times he pushed too hard, or failed to support those under him. He can’t rewrite the past, but he shares this reminder for others walking the same path:
> “Leadership isn’t about authority.
It’s about responsibility — to guide, to shield, and to clear the path so others can grow.”
Reflection for You
Amir’s story reminds us: leadership is not measured by how many people obey you, but by how many people grow under you.
💡 What about you?
What’s one leadership lesson you had to learn the hard way?
#Leadership #SelfReflection #GrowthMindset #PalmOilIndustry #KembaraInsan #blog #blogger #manager #management
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