Root Before Rise — Reflections for the Year of the Fire Horse
This morning, while running through the hills, I stopped in front of an ancient tree.It was not rushing to grow taller.Yet it stood high above the canopy.Its roots were wide…
All intelligence has nature
This morning, during my walk, I noticed something simple. Chickens running freely among trees and open space. No confusion. No comparison. No pretending. They were simply living according to their…
Chapter 4: The Brightening
The BrighteningThose initial days in May 2024 weren't dramatic. Like the rays of the rising sun, the change happened so slowly that it was barely perceptible at first, until suddenly,…
Chapter 1: The Beginning
Lessons from humble beginningsI was born in 1968 in a place called Chan Wing Estate, a small settlement in the village of Jagoh, Johor. You’ve probably never heard of it.…
The era of the one-person unicorn is here
Can one person really build a billion-dollar company? Five years ago, that would have sounded ludicrous. Today, it's already happening.The traditional playbook of scaling through human capital is becoming obsolete.…
Chapter 2: The Breakthroughs
That first break and the start of something great When I was thirteen, my family moved to Chaah, another small town nearby which had a secondary school. That was the…
Chapter 3: The Bridge Ahead
From unicorn to ashes; and a new beginning We tried settling down in the San Francisco Bay Area, but by 2000 we realized Malaysia was still home. It was for this…
What it really takes to succeed
Ten years ago, I ran my second half-marathon. It's as hard as the tar road that my feet pounded on for the 2 hours and 38 minutes of my run.…
The courage to be candid
When I say "candid" I mean keeping it straightforward, short and simple. If people don't understand what you're saying, it is not their fault. It's yours.I am a believer in…
How to join your CEO’s inner circle
All CEOs face the misconception that they have an inner circle, and may further be accused of giving this inner circle preferential treatment. I'm just going to admit it, and…