Confidence Through Experience

Who is the most confident person you know?

If I had to name the most confident person I know, I would say—without hesitation—it’s myself.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think, Wow, that’s arrogant, hear me out. Confidence isn’t about thinking you’re the best in the room; it’s about knowing that whatever happens, you’ll figure it out. It’s the belief that even if you fail, even if things don’t go your way, you’ll stand back up, learn, and keep going.

I wasn’t always this confident. There were moments in my career—whether in academia, corporate, government, or as an entrepreneur—where I doubted myself. Am I making the right choice? Will this decision backfire? What if I fail spectacularly? But confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built through experience, resilience, and the courage to take risks despite uncertainty.

Take Favoriot, for example. When I started the company, the IoT industry in Malaysia was still in its infancy. Many people didn’t even understand what IoT was, let alone why they should invest in it. Some questioned my decision to leave a stable corporate career for an uncertain entrepreneurial journey. But confidence isn’t about certainty; it’s about trusting your ability to adapt.

I’ve stood on global stages, spoken at major conferences, and shared my thoughts with thousands of people worldwide. That didn’t happen because I was born with some extraordinary level of confidence. It happened because I kept putting myself in uncomfortable situations, learning, growing, and proving to myself that I could handle whatever came my way.

Confidence, to me, is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

And if I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: don’t wait until you feel confident to take action. Take action first, and confidence will follow.