My Journey of Growth and Purpose in Self-leadership
Self-leadership, in its essence, is about taking control of who you are, what you do, what you need to learn, and how you apply it all in the real world. For me, as an educator and researcher, it’s not just a theoretical concept but a guiding principle that shapes my professional and personal journey.
Pillar 1: Knowing Who You Are
As an educator, I firmly believe that change in society begins with education. It might sound cliché, but I want my children to live in a world that’s better than the one we have now. In that pursuit, I hope to play a small part by teaching students who will grow to be leaders and teachers, eventually shaping the world for my children and future generations. What’s most important to me is a sense of personal accomplishment—knowing that I’ve done my best, and leaving the rest to Allah.
At the same time, I strive to maintain a work-life balance, making sure I’m present for my kids so they can be proud of me. I want to be a role model not just for my students, but also for my daughters. Teaching and research are at the heart of what I do, with long-term goals of leaving a lasting impact through my students and becoming a subject matter expert in wireless communication. For now, my short-term focus is on seeing my students graduate and excel as engineers, and successfully executing my UTMER grant for machine learning in vehicular communication.
Pillar 2: Knowing What You Do
When it comes to my behavior, I know there’s still plenty of room for growth. I need to become more organized and focused. My experience is somewhat limited—just two years as a PostDoc at UNITEN, where I mainly focused on research. But as a lecturer now, I wear many hats. I am an academic advisor, a lecturer, part of multiple taskforces, a principal investigator, the head of the cybersecurity lab, and a member of the ESE department at MJIIT. Each role brings with it unique responsibilities, deadlines, and dynamic challenges.
It’s no longer just about managing research and students; now, it’s also about managing people and their expectations, which can feel overwhelming at times. But I’ve learned to tackle one thing at a time, knowing that each step, no matter how difficult, is moving me in the right direction. At the core of my motivation are my children—I want to build a better future for them, and every challenge I face is just another stepping stone toward that goal.
Pillar 3: Knowing What You Need to Learn
The key to growth is identifying the areas where you need to improve. Since June 2023, I’ve been given the responsibility of heading the cybersecurity lab. While this is an exciting opportunity, it’s also a challenge because my expertise lies in wireless communication, not cybersecurity. I realize the potential here, and I’m committed to learning and adapting so that I can make the most of this opportunity. Another area where I need to grow is in grant acquisition—I’ve only secured one grant so far, and I know that I need to learn from my seniors, who have far more experience in securing and managing grants effectively.
On the teaching side, I lack significant classroom experience. Before my senior lecturer appointment at MJIIT, I was a graduate teaching assistant mainly handling labs. Teaching a course is vastly different from guiding students through a lab session, and I plan to tag along with experienced senior lecturers for mentorship and attend workshops on effective teaching methods such as NALI workshops. In the short term, I aim to familiarize myself with cybersecurity research and improve my grant-securing strategies, while in the long term, I aspire to become proficient in both research and teaching, continually evolving into the educator I aim to be.
Pillar 4: Applying What You Know
Building successful habits is the foundation of applying what I’ve learned. Effective time management is crucial—I’ve realized that even small chunks of time can add up. Allocating just 10 minutes a day, five days a week, equals 50 minutes of progress each week. By trusting this process, I’m building a structure that allows me to focus on my teaching and research without feeling overwhelmed.
I’ve also recognized the importance of creating an environment for success. Surrounding myself with like-minded individuals and networking with those who share similar goals can provide the motivation and support I need to keep moving forward. I often remind myself that the future version of me will be grateful for the work I put in today. Success doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built one step at a time. Every small action I take today is a contribution to the person I aspire to become tomorrow, kerana Allah, untuk manusia.
Self-leadership is about knowing who you are, what you do, where you need to improve, and how to apply those lessons to achieve your goals. In this journey, I am constantly evolving as a researcher, educator, and, most importantly, as a role model to my children and students. By being mindful of my actions, seeking opportunities for growth, and applying what I’ve learned, I strive to leave a lasting impact—not just on my students, but on the broader community.
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