Universiti Sains Malaysia

08/05/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/05/2022 02:31

LEADERS ARE NOT BORN, BUT MADE. WHAT MAKES A LEADER?

PENANG, 29 July 2022 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) via Pusat Tranformasi Insan (PTI) recently held the first 'Leadership Talk Series Programme' for this year. Entitled 'Leadership: Values, Knowledge and Skills', the sharing of personal experiences and perspective was delivered by USM Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkifli A. Hassan.

The initiative of this programme is to share the experience and expertise of prominent figures from the University and industry in aspects of leadership to ensure that an organisation can be productive in its achievements and to be excellent in its delivery of services.

"In guiding the principles and parameters, my aspiration in the service from day one is to do my best under any circumstance, while giving priority to the big picture and having a good health is as important to me as it is basic to a fulfilling and meaningful life," he said.

Zulkifli said in his talk that to be successful, one needs to hold on firmly to the six main core values in becoming a leader, namely trustworthy, reliability, punctuality, humility and the respect for others, while giving more focus on integrity.

Zulkifli shared one of his experiences while studying in Manchester, whereby one of his ex-classmates said to him that *the world is not being*, but rather it's about humility, respect and integrity in which if you have these three, you can *work* tall, even if you are not actually that tall.

"During my service as the Chairman of BOG USM for 9 years, the managing director of MIT said that *"if you have integrity, nothing else matters; if you have no integrity, nothing else matters"* which carries the meaning, if a person does not have the integrity, it doesn't mean much," said Zulkifli.

He also stressed on punctuality, as it is very important in creating the first impression of your work commitment, as it will bring about a lasting impression.

In his closing remarks, Zulkifli shared on the importance of the role of his other half and family and for him, he could not ask more for a better life.

"I would say that I am very thankful with the life I'm living and the passion of life," he added.

Also present were the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan; USM Board of Governor members (LGU); USM Deputy Vice-Chanellors; USM Registrar, Dato' Dr. Musa Hj. Ali and principal officers of USM.