Kuala Lumpur Common Purpose Leadership Experience

“𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒐."
Anita Roddick, Body Shop founder

Leadership can have a profound impact on people’s lives, both positively and negatively, and it takes many forms, methods, and interpretations. As someone currently in a mid-life growth phase, I continually reflect on my leadership style and how I can better embody the qualities I value: empathy, positivity, and courage. Yet the question remains: how does one truly implement these traits in leadership, rather than just admire them in theory?

I felt incredibly grateful and a little stunned when I found out I’d been selected for the highly competitive Common Purpose Global Leadership Experience in Kuala Lumpur, funded by Griffith University’s Student Academy of Excellence. Knowing how many talented students applied made the opportunity feel even more special, and I was determined to make the most of every moment. This experience gave me the opportunity to put the questions into practice by tackling real-world urban challenges together, guided by a strong connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Over four intense days, we stepped outside our comfort zones, engaged with local organisations, and explored what it means to lead across cultures in a rapidly changing city.​ Learning alongside younger participants was particularly inspiring, as their energy encouraged me to question my own assumptions and approach challenges with an open mind.

One of the most powerful aspects of the experience was working in diverse teams on a real-world problem. Our group quickly learned that we each carried different cultural perspectives, communication styles, and comfort levels with speaking up, and that these differences could be a strength if we managed them well. I found myself naturally taking on the role of an empathetic team member, paying attention to who hadn’t spoken and inviting quieter voices into the conversation. Over time, this built trust within our group and created space for more thoughtful, inclusive decisions.

The programme’s focus on cultural intelligence, challenging mainstream thought processes, and honest reflection has given me tools that will carry directly into my studies in Environmental Science and Economics, as well as future work in collaborative, cross-sector projects. I am committed to fostering spaces in which constructive dialogue, open-mindedness, and respectful challenge enable teams to co-create solutions that serve communities and the environment.​

Q&A after our group presentation on the final day.

This experience helped me recognise a key strength in my leadership: my ability to listen deeply, encourage others, and create an environment where people feel safe to share their ideas. Something that I pride myself on is noticing who is missing from the discussion and making sure their perspectives are heard. That said, the programme also challenged me to confront an area where I still need to grow, particularly advocating for myself. While I was confident supporting others, I sometimes held back on sharing my own ideas, especially when the conversation became dominated by more assertive contributors.

Through guided reflections and feedback during the programme, I began to see that my own life experiences and perspectives are valuable, even if they don’t perfectly match the topic or the expertise in the room. I learned that my background in environmental science and economics, combined with my lived experiences, gives me a unique lens for understanding complex social and environmental challenges. This recognition has motivated me to try and speak with greater confidence, both academically and professionally, and to back myself when I have something meaningful to contribute.

Cultural intelligence emerged as a central theme of the trip. Being immersed in Malaysian culture, through everyday interactions, local briefings, and the perspectives of fellow participants, made me more aware of how culture shapes leadership styles, decision-making, and ideas of “good” communication. I saw firsthand that what is considered respectful, assertive, or collaborative can vary significantly between cultures, and that effective leadership requires the ability to read and adapt to these nuances. This awareness will be invaluable as I move into roles involving community and stakeholder engagement, particularly in diverse or cross-cultural settings related to environmental projects.

Another major learning was around emotional self-management. The programme days were intense: tight timeframes, unfamiliar tasks, and the pressure of presenting our ideas pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had to consciously manage my own stress and self-doubt so I could stay present, contribute, and continue supporting my teammates. Practising this kind of emotional regulation, taking a breath, reframing negative thoughts, and focusing on our shared goal, reinforced for me that leadership is as much about self-awareness as it is about strategy.

These lessons connect directly to my studies and future ambitions in environmental science and economics. The challenges we face in climate policy, conservation, and sustainable development are inherently collaborative and cross-cultural, requiring people who can navigate complexity, listen across differences, and work constructively with a wide range of stakeholders. The programme has strengthened my commitment to fostering inclusive, solutions-focused spaces where people feel empowered to bring their ideas forward and work together toward common outcomes.

Going forward, I intend to apply what I learned in several ways. In group projects at university, I will intentionally create room for quieter classmates, while also practising being more proactive in sharing my own ideas and expertise. In professional and community settings, I want to model open-mindedness, constructive dialogue, and respectful disagreement, so that difficult conversations become opportunities for learning rather than division. Above all, I hope to carry this blend of empathy, cultural intelligence, and growing confidence into future leadership roles connected to environmental and social impact.

I am deeply grateful to the Student Academy of Excellence for funding this experience and believing in my potential as an emerging leader. The Common Purpose Global Leader Experience in Kuala Lumpur has not only broadened my worldview but also reshaped how I see myself as someone who can both support others and step forward when needed with my own voice and vision. These insights will continue to shape my leadership style, guide my academic journey, and influence the way I contribute to the communities I am part of in the years ahead.

PS: For any bird lovers scrolling through the photos, a real giddy moment was seeing a Superb Starling, not native to KL, sadly escaped from captivity, but living it up at the Botanical Gardens. What a buzz!!!