Employer
Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn Bhd
Position
CEO
Qualification
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Finance, University of Montevallo, US
Has been with the company for
19 years
What does motivation mean to you? How do you keep yourself motivated in challenging times?
Motivation to me is having the intent and commitment to achieve the desired outcome despite any obstacles or adversity. I believe motivation and determination are interlinked. I have seen people who appear motivated but lose heart when things get tough because they do not have the tenacity to soldier on.
The first thing to acknowledge is that it's not easy to keep one’s intent and commitment at a high level 24/7. Once in a while, I’d take time off to recharge and recuperate. I also learn to prioritise tasks and differentiate work from the noise in my life.
To keep motivated, I remind myself that accomplishing my goals lead to the betterment of more than just myself, but also the betterment of my shareholders, staff, and family.
Name three (3) ways a student or fresh grad can invest in themselves.
In today’s modern economy and digitalisation, the skillsets required are very different from before. Fresh graduates or students should invest in themselves through three different perspectives:
- Knowledge – Be it a student or seasoned employee, it is essential to ensure that your knowledge and skills are being continually upgraded. The business environment is ever-changing and if you do not keep up, you'll find yourself displaced.
- Collaboration – We need to be able to collaborate and work well with superiors and peers alike. It's thus crucial to invest in networking and collaboration skills.
- Agility – In today’s volatile and ambiguous environment, we need to have a curious and agile mindset to adapt well in various situations.
What are the qualities that separate leaders from managers?
Qualities that would separate a leader from a manager are:
- Seeing the bigger picture – Leaders should have a holistic understanding of the business or environment that they're in.
- Visionary – Leaders foresee where the future lies and be able to steer the organisation towards that direction.
- Networking – Leaders are able to network well with external stakeholders.
If you could turn back time, how would you improve yourself – personally or professionally?
I'd make a conscious effort to establish a better work-life balance. I'd spend more time with my children while they were growing up.
It is so easy to get caught up in the chase for professional achievements that you throw too much time into it and neglect other parts of life. I would tell my younger self to pace herself and treat life as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Professionally, I would have liked to be able to pursue my post-graduate studies.
What is the one habit that has continued to help you grow as a person?
I would say being appreciative. Something as simple as gratitude will keep you open to learn, listen, and stay humble. I find that this has helped me to better communicate and improve myself. It has also allowed me to take up new challenges to explore new positions to grow both personally and professionally.
As a result, I undertook many diverse roles in my working life and learned from many inspiring leaders and peers. This has made my working life interesting and fulfilling.
Name one surprising or interesting fact about yourself.
I come from a humble background and have had to support myself through university in the US by working 40 hours per week after classes.
I went to the US with just enough tuition fees for one semester and had to hustle for the rest of my education. I believe that has helped me develop an appreciation for hard work and determination.
