Yesterday was the first day of my first class in INSEAD ’s Executive Master in Change (EMC) at the Singapore campus.
I feel deeply grateful to be part of a cohort of 31 participants, selected through three interview stages. I am the only participant from Malaysia.
One of our first activities was to draw something that represented us. My classmates created different pictures inspired by their lives. I drew “Azizan as a Coconut Tree.”
Why a coconut tree?
Because it reflects the person I aspire to be:
Ambitious, resilient and always growing, whatever challenges come. A coconut tree can benefit people in many ways. Its fruit can also give rise to more trees, allowing its impact to spread.
That is how I hope to grow:
To continue creating value for many people and help more people grow, so they can create value for others too. My ambition is not only to succeed personally, but to make a difference that reaches far beyond me.
For many years, I have worked with business owners and leaders as they navigate growth and change. Now, I am returning to the classroom as a student, ready to learn, challenge my assumptions and gain new perspectives.
I am grateful for this opportunity and for a simple drawing exercise that helped me express the kind of growth and impact I hope to create.
If you were asked to draw yourself, what would you draw?