Tag: dailyprompt-2129

Lessons I Learned Navigating the Unpredictable Path of my Career

I’d like to share with you the remarkable twists and turns of my career journey.

It’s a story of unexpected shifts, surprising opportunities, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Discovering an Unexpected Role as a CEO and Entrepreneur

I always dreamed of becoming a scientist, fascinated by the idea of creating robots.

However, life had other plans for me.

I never thought I would one day be a CEO or embark on the challenging path of entrepreneurship.

This transition in my life taught me how our goals and aspirations can transform over time.

My Academic Foundation

My professional life began in the world of academia.

As an educator, I started as an Assistant Lecturer and worked my way up to Associate Professor.

I cherished my role as a teacher, driven by a natural instinct to educate and inspire.

Venturing into the Corporate Realm

Faced with the possibility of transferring to UTM Skudai, I made a bold decision to join Celcom, a private sector company.

During my 13 years there, I experienced a rich variety of roles – from Research and Development to Integrated Business Solutions.

This period was instrumental in broadening my professional horizon.

Pursuing R&D Excellence at Mimos

When I joined Mimos, I was fueled by a desire to uplift national R&D standards.

Working in a government agency, I had lofty ambitions and faced a mix of experiences.

Although I spent eight years as a Head Researcher, I sometimes felt that my earlier experiences were not fully utilized, which was a source of some disappointment.

The Evolution from Dreaming of CTO to Becoming a CEO

For over three decades, my career goal was singular – to become a Chief Technology Officer.

Yet, fate had a different plan for me.

At REDtone, I was tasked with establishing a new IoT-focused subsidiary, which unexpectedly led me to my first role as a CEO.

Here, I learned the intricacies of dealing with government business, a challenging but enriching experience.

Stepping into the World of Entrepreneurship

After about two and a half years with REDtone, the entrepreneurial bug bit me.

I took the leap into starting my own business with some colleagues.

The journey at FAVORIOT and the stories there are for another day, but they mark a significant chapter in my life.

Lessons I’ve Learned on My Journey

  1. Embracing the Journey: Life’s path, though sometimes divergent from our dreams, is always a gift.
  2. Striving for Excellence: Every challenge is an opportunity to grow and excel.
  3. Education Beyond the Classroom: Real-world career experiences teach lessons no book can.
  4. Breaking Stereotypes: Transitioning from academia to the corporate world is possible.
  5. The Intersection of Tech and Business: A technical background can be a strong foundation for successful entrepreneurship.
  6. The Possibility of Becoming a CEO: The right opportunities can lead anyone to a CEO position.
  7. Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Every challenging moment has the potential to become a positive experience.
  8. Academics in the Corporate World: A background in academia can be valuable in private sector roles.
  9. Challenging Retirement Norms: There’s no predetermined time to retire or slow down.
  10. Making an Impact: We all have the ability to create significant changes in our industries or even globally.
  11. Valuing Diverse Experiences: Every unique career experience adds invaluable perspective.
  12. Lifelong Learning and Contribution: The journey of learning and giving back is endless.

This journey of mine underscores the unpredictable, yet fulfilling nature of a career path, where continuous learning, adaptation, and the reshaping of goals are part of the adventure.

From Lecture Halls to the Limelight of Public Speaking

My journey from an everyday lecturer to a celebrated keynote speaker is a tale that seems straight out of a movie.

The thrill of public speaking, a domain that challenges even the bravest, has been my playground.

Let me share with you my story of transformation and growing confidence, a narrative that’s both entertaining and inspiring.

The Unforgettable First Time
I clearly remember my first encounter with public speaking.

It’s an experience that’s etched in my memory, particularly the first time.

You might wonder, how did I transition from an academic lecturer to a master in the speaking arena?

Let’s delve into my captivating journey.

The Lecturer’s Leap
You might think that lecturing students every day would make public speaking easy for me.

But the truth is, addressing students and facing a diverse audience at an international conference are completely different experiences.

My journey to build rock-solid confidence involved overcoming a series of unique challenges.

Diverse Roles, Diverse Stages
My path to mastery was marked by diverse stages:

  1. University Lectures
  2. Technical Conferences (Domestic and International)
  3. Invited Talks (Global)
  4. Delivering Keynote Addresses
  5. Panel Moderator
  6. Panel Member (With and Without Scripts)
  7. YouTube Channel (MIMOS) – Videos 1 & 2
  8. TV Program – Gizmo Segment (Recorded)
  9. National Radio Shows
  10. TV Program – Selamat Pagi Malaysia (Live Broadcast)

Each role, from R&D Director at MIMOS facing management with project proposals and updates, to CEO of my startup, Favoriot, required a unique set of skills.

Pitching and presenting to customers, and being an invited speaker or moderator, all demanded not just knowledge but the ability to engage and persuade.

Conquering the Confidence Conundrum
My strategy for overcoming the fears of public speaking evolved alongside my career:

  1. Tailored PowerPoint slides for every audience
  2. Selecting topics that captivate
  3. Deep-diving into current affairs for content
  4. Regular practice to refine my delivery
  5. Engaging with every member of the audience
  6. Mind mapping to structure my thoughts
  7. Rigorous preparation well ahead of time
  8. Constantly updating my material
  9. Mingling with attendees to build rapport
  10. Weaving conference themes into my talks
  11. Storytelling to connect on a personal level
  12. Injecting humor to keep the mood light

Conclusion: Embracing My Mastery
Through my roles as a lecturer, R&D Director, CEO, and public speaker, I’ve learned that mastering public speaking is more than just conveying a message; it’s about creating a bond with your audience and leaving a lasting impact.

This journey has taught me that speaking is an art, a strategy, and a way to express your true self.

Remember my story as you step onto your stage.

Like me, you may find your unique path from the quiet of the lecture hall to the bright lights of the speaking world.