The palm oil mill was busy as always — boilers roaring, conveyors rattling, trucks unloading fresh fruit bunches.
But Hana, the mill manager, knew her workers and young managers weren’t motivated by numbers alone.
That week, absenteeism was rising, breakdowns were frequent, and morale was low. So instead of calling another meeting filled with KPIs and charts, Hana decided to use her most human tool: a story.
The Story of the Young Operator
One morning in the canteen, she gathered the team.
"Years ago," she began, "I met a young operator at another mill. He was shy, new, and often afraid of making mistakes. One day, during his shift, he noticed the boiler gauge showing unusual pressure. He thought, ‘Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s nothing.’ But instead of keeping quiet, he reported it to his supervisor."
She paused.
"That report prevented a major breakdown. The mill avoided days of downtime, and that young man became a respected engineer. He wasn’t promoted because he was perfect — he was promoted because he cared enough to speak up."
The room was silent. Workers leaned in.
Connecting the Story to Today
Hana looked around:
"Every one of you has the same power. Don’t think your role is too small. Your actions protect this mill, protect your friends, and even protect families who depend on us. Safety, quality, and honesty are not just rules — they are legacies we build together."
The Impact on Young Managers
Later that week, a junior engineer approached Hana.
"Madam, your story made me think… Maybe I’ve been too afraid to raise issues to my head of department. From now on, I’ll speak up."
Hana smiled. She knew her story had done what no SOP or KPI could do — it had touched hearts, not just minds.
🌱 The Leadership Lesson
By using storytelling, Hana transformed:
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Compliance into commitment (workers saw why safety mattered).
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Silence into courage (young managers felt inspired to act).
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Numbers into meaning (production was no longer just tonnage — it was about people’s lives).
Hana reflected that night in her journal:
“A leader manages with systems, but inspires with stories. Facts tell. Stories move.”
#blog #blogger #kembarainsan
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