When Loh Wai Cheong first stepped into his role as Group Engineer at one of the country’s prominent GLCs, he quickly noticed a pattern. The company had talent, but it was scattered. Engineers were motivated after training sessions, but within weeks, enthusiasm faded. The cycle of “start strong, fade fast” kept repeating.
Loh Wai Cheong understood that motivation gets people started – but momentum keeps them going. Words alone would not transform the company’s culture. So, he decided to focus on something deeper: systems, habits, and clarity.
Designing for Flow, Not Just Fireworks
He began by standardising engineering processes across mills, creating a clear roadmap for problem-solving and performance tracking. Every young engineer was paired with a mentor, and every mill manager had defined performance targets with the tools to achieve them.
He removed “friction” — the unnecessary red tape, unclear communication, and resource bottlenecks that slowed progress. With these barriers gone, teams could focus on solutions instead of struggles.
From Individual Wins to Collective Momentum
Soon, new engineers no longer felt lost in the complex world of mill operations. Instead, they felt guided, supported, and part of a larger purpose. Small wins in one mill became shared victories across the group, fuelling a sense of collective pride.
Loh Wai Cheong didn’t just inspire people with speeches — he harnessed flow. Systems reinforced habits, and habits built momentum. Engineers learned that excellence wasn’t an occasional achievement; it was a daily standard.
The Cultural Shift
Over time, the transformation was visible. Mills that once struggled to hit KPIs became benchmarks for others. Engineers who had joined fresh from university grew into confident leaders, some becoming mill managers themselves.
The company’s culture shifted from one of short-lived motivation to sustained progress. And in every corner of the organisation, you could see Loh Wai Cheong’s quiet but powerful influence — a leader who understood that real leadership isn’t about hype, but about building something that lasts.
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