KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia (CALM) recently broke new ground with their inaugural fireside talk on leadership held on 15 September 2023, garnering insights from an esteemed panel of speakers and fostering vibrant discussions among approximately 200 attendees.
Under the pivotal theme ‘Unlocking Leadership Potential through Transformational Leadership’, SwinTalk Series #2 brought to light the imperatives of developing future-ready skills and facilitating individuals to take the leadership mantle.
The talk featured four prominent panel speakers who inspired and empowered the audience by sharing valuable leadership insights and delving into the art of transformational leadership.
The esteemed speakers included N13 Batu Kitang assemblyman YB Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia Vice President Dato Richard Wee, Sarawak Development Institute and Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM) Sarawak Chief Executive Officer Ms Lelia Sim and Swinburne Sarawak’s Dean of Faculty of Business, Design and Arts Professor Brian Wong Kee Mun.
A confluence of dignitaries, including guests of honour Sarawak Deputy Premier YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian and British High Commissioner to Malaysia Her Excellency Ailsa Terry, added a profound depth to the discussions and shared their invaluable perspectives on leadership.
In his address, YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim emphasised the cultivation of leadership not as an intrinsic attribute but as a nurtured quality, attainable through mentorship and guidance. His endorsement of initiatives such as this Leadership Fireside Talk signified the importance of dialogues and collaborations in developing the leaders of tomorrow, while his commitment to sharing knowledge amidst his bustling political schedule bore testament to his dedication toward mentorship.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Ailsa portrayed leadership as an avenue to bring about positive change, advocating for authenticity, perpetual learning and a steadfast focus on one’s objectives. In the multicultural tapestry of Malaysia, she highlighted the Commonwealth’s dedication to the youth and lauded efforts like the Leadership Fireside Talk, which inspire and mould the upcoming generation.
(From left) Professor Brian Wong Kee Mun, Ms Lelia Sim, Dato Richard Wee and YB Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang deliver their insights during the Leadership Fireside Talk, moderated by Ms Hanaa Wong (right).
The event – which was moderated skilfully by Ms Hanaa Wong, CALM Charter President and a seasoned professional in human resources and corporate development – illuminated various facets of transformational leadership through the insightful experiences of the panellists.
Professor Brian Wong introduced the intriguing concept of ‘One Swinburne’, a principle advocating unity and collective strength. He presented a nuanced view of transformational leadership and its counterpart, transformational followership, which he equated to the philosophical yin and yang, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between leaders and followers.
While the other speakers presented unique perspectives, underscoring the importance of transformational leadership in diverse sectors from politics to academia, YB Dato Ir Lo accentuated the pivotal role of inclusivity and women leaders in bolstering community development in Batu Kitang.
Dato Richard Wee, delineating the path of transformational leaders, pinpointed the crucial aspect of galvanising employees towards a unified vision – championing the establishment of a sturdy and supportive structure to navigate towards collective goals.
The event, which was free of charge and open to the public, not only provided a platform for sharing profound insights but also significantly contributed to the ongoing discourse on transformational leadership, thereby advancing Swinburne Sarawak and CALM’s commitment to fostering leadership amongst Malaysia’s young potential leaders.
SwinTalk Series #2 was organised by Swinburne Sarawak in collaboration with the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia.
Following this transformative evening, attendees and the wider community await the subsequent SwinTalk Series, assured to once again pave the way for inspiring dialogues and insightful discussions.
The SwinTalk Series is a quarterly event organised with industry partners with the aim of developing knowledge and promoting the sharing of experiences and mentorship.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).