14/05/2026
Something to learn on with the industry leaders, they start and not perfect one but continues to grow, evolve and develop💪🙂👍
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One dangerous moment in leadership is when you start pretending you already know enough.
I remember many times sitting in meetings feeling quietly inadequate.
My boss could write short, clear, and compelling memos. I could not. So I enrolled in a business writing seminar. Twice.
I was insecure about my English, so I took a grammar course.
I was not sure if I presented myself well in public, so I attended a personal branding seminar.
One time, I watched a foreign supplier present with so much clarity and confidence. I was impressed. But I was also challenged. I told myself, I need to learn that too. So I enrolled in Presenting with Power.
When I saw brilliant technical managers struggle to speak in front of people, I hired a Toastmasters expert to train them. And I sat there learning with them.
When our teams needed stronger problem-solving discipline, we sent them to Kepner-Tregoe.
When rank-and-file employees were too shy to share ideas, we chartered 13 Toastmasters clubs across the country for them.
When my marketing knowledge felt shallow, I attended public seminars and read books.
When imported chicken threatened our industry and I realized I did not understand WTO rules enough as industry association president, I enrolled at the International Law Institute in Washington, D.C.
Looking back, these were not just trainings. They were quiet admissions. I did not know enough. I needed help. I had to grow.
And that was not always comfortable.
But over time, I learned that insecurity can do two things to a person. It can make you defensive. Or it can make you better.
If you hide it, it slowly becomes pride. If you face it, it can become growth.
I thought this habit of learning would slow down in retirement. It did not. Even in retirement, I found a new gap.
I wanted to write my reflections, partly to while away my time, but more importantly, so others could learn from my journey.
But I was unsure how to begin. So I sought help from a friend from UP to guide me.
So if you are reading my reflections today, thank my friend from UP.
That experience reminded me that learning does not end when the title ends. Every season of life requires new tools.
Leadership is not pretending to be complete. It is having the humility to admit what is missing and the discipline to fill the gap.
Many careers do not stall because people lack talent. Many organizations do not stop growing because they lack opportunity. They stop growing when leaders stop learning.
