When Amir was promoted to Mill Manager at Sepilok Palm Oil Mill, he thought the toughest challenges would be about machinery, production targets, and safety standards.
He was wrong.
It wasn’t the boilers, turbines, or processing lines that kept him awake at night — it was the people.
Coordinating teams, handling conflicts, presenting reports to the board… all these required a different skillset than what his engineering background had prepared him for.
Amir often stumbled over his words in meetings.
He avoided public speaking whenever he could.
Even giving feedback to his staff sometimes felt awkward.
One evening, while scrolling through Facebook, Amir noticed a post from an old university friend about Toastmasters. The words “improve your communication and leadership” caught his eye. Out of curiosity, he decided to visit a meeting in Sandakan.
That night changed everything.
Week after week, Amir attended. At first, he spoke nervously, his voice shaky and hands clenched. But slowly, he learned the art of clear communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.
The lessons from Toastmasters didn’t just stay in the meeting room — they spilled over into the mill.
He began running morning briefings with confidence.
He handled audits with calm authority.
He started mentoring young engineers, guiding them not only in technical work but also in decision-making and teamwork.
Over time, Sepilok Palm Oil Mill became known not just for hitting production targets, but for having a motivated, well-connected team. Staff turnover dropped. Productivity rose. And Amir? He was promoted to oversee multiple mills within the group.
Outside of work, Amir’s personal life also flourished. He became more open, more present, and more understanding with family and friends.
Looking back, he realised something powerful:
“Joining Toastmasters wasn’t just about learning to speak — it was about learning to lead, to connect, and to inspire.”
And it all started with one decision, one evening, and the courage to step into a room full of strangers.
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