In many organizations, there is often a disconnect between daily tasks and the overarching vision. When employees are buried in back-to-back meetings and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of how their efforts align with the company’s goals. This disconnection can lead to a lack of motivation and a sense of aimlessness, where people feel like their work doesn’t make a meaningful difference.

My coaching started in 1976 when I was a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the Forestry Department of Malaysia. My local boss was Mr. Mok Sian Tuan, the director of Forest Management in Malaysia, who himself was a mentor and coach to me. He assigned me fresh MARA forestry graduates to coach in leading teams and project management.

Leadership is a complex subject. Hence, it is difficult to give leadership a specific definition. There are some universal traits that are critical for leadership effectiveness across all cultures. I believe every leader must have the following ‘X factors’ to be successful in his/ her role.