Last year, there was an opportunity to travel to Batam, Indonesia as part of that reward. This year, missing that opportunity has brought disappointment and pressure, leading to the thought of letting go of the responsibility as Deputy Head of the Student Discipline Board.
As a father, I understand that feeling.
Before this, I reminded my child that in life we must be prepared to face tests when what we hope for is not written as our sustenance. These moments are part of life’s training. In the real world ahead, similar challenges will appear again and again.
I myself was once someone who did not enjoy social interaction very much. From childhood until adulthood, I leaned strongly toward being an introvert. Over time, however, life shaped me differently. Today, I may be closer to an ambivert — sometimes enjoying solitude, and sometimes embracing social interaction.
When I was first appointed as a manager at the age of 27, the challenge was immense. I was responsible for managing more than 120 employees. The first six months were particularly testing.
One of the biggest challenges came from a subordinate who was much older than me. At that time, I was still very new in the industry, while he had nearly 15 years of experience. Because of the age and experience gap, he often tested my leadership. Some of my instructions were not followed, and the pressure slowly built up.
I once brought the matter to my superiors and requested disciplinary action. However, they chose to see the issue from a broader perspective and did not respond in the way I expected.
That evening, I returned home and reflected deeply.
I remembered something one of my bosses once told me:
“If engineering is a science, management is also a science — and an art.”
From that moment on, I began to immerse myself in the study of management, communication, leadership, and soft skills. It did not happen overnight. It took years. From one factory to another, from one company to the next.
Today, it has been more than 21 years of managing people.
Pressure? Of course. There has been plenty of it. But because of career demands and personal growth, I constantly searched for knowledge and guidance.
I sought mentors — especially senior factory managers and plantation managers. Whenever I faced difficult issues, I would consult them and ask for advice.
At one point, I had an assistant who was extremely experienced. He was already near retirement age, yet he always carried a calm smile. No matter what problem I presented, he would always offer a thoughtful solution. Observing him taught me that calmness and experience are powerful leadership traits.
I also once worked with a senior plantation manager who had a very unique personality. He possessed a remarkable sense of humor and outstanding communication skills. He could present issues to upper management in a relaxed yet effective way. From him, I learned that leadership is not just about being outspoken, but about delivering messages with wisdom and timing.
Throughout this journey, I have made many mistakes. But every mistake became a lesson.
Recognizing the importance of management knowledge, I decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration in 2011 after completing several professional engineering certifications. The MBA exposed me to new perspectives on managing organizations, especially in areas such as Strategic Management and effective communication.
After completing my MBA, I wanted to test my abilities in an international environment. I joined a company where both the management and employees came from different countries. It was very different from my previous decade of experience working within local organizations.
There, I learned another important truth:
Managing subordinates can be challenging, but managing those above you can be even more complex. It requires diplomacy, communication skills, and maturity that only experience can develop.
The truth is, managing people is never easy. It involves emotions, personalities, attitudes, and diverse perspectives. It requires patience, continuous learning, resilience, and guidance from faith — especially the examples found in the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Yet when we begin to understand it, leadership becomes something deeply meaningful.
Not everyone is given the opportunity to lead.
We were created as stewards on this earth, and it is our responsibility to strive to become leaders who bring benefit and earn the pleasure of Allah.
During my PALAPES training days, our motto was simple:
“Always Lead.”
That principle continues to shape who I am today.
And to my child, my message is this:
Do not step back.
Treat every challenge as training for leadership.
Your journey is still long, and many challenges lie ahead.
See them not as obstacles, but as preparation for something greater in the future.
#KembaraInsan
#AlwaysLead
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#LifeLessons
#LearningNeverStops
#FutureLeaders
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#ParentingReflections
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