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A Lesson in Leadership: Don’t Just Say Go Do It —Ask How You Can Help.

“You are doing all this alone?”
That unexpected question came from our Chairman, Dato Seri Michael Tio (DSMT), just six weeks before our company’s 30th Anniversary celebration—an 800-pax event in One World Hotel with many many moving parts and even more expectations. Poised to play host to the Deputy Minister Of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching, the former Premier of Penang State Tun Ahmad Fuzi, Media heads, celebrities, Olympians and 91 National Record Holders.

I had just presented updates on the event when the call came. “You are doing all this alone?” asked DSMT. With day-to-day operations continuing at full speed, I had asked the rest of the team to stay focused on sales and ensuring our record-holders were contacted and confirmed for attendance. The rest? I took on. He simply said, “Ok.” And hung up.

What Happened Next Was a Masterclass in Leadership

Within minutes, his Head of Corporate Communications & Strategy Ms.Corrine messaged me on WhatsApp. DSMT had immediately summoned reinforcements and mobilised his communications team to take over the planning, creatives, and execution of the event. In the weeks that followed, they led with precision, professionalism, and passion—bringing in over 20 staff and students to help on the day of the event itself too!

They didn’t just lighten my load. They carried the entire logistical and media burden with clarity and confidence. And here’s the twist: I used to plan events. I no longer enjoy doing so. So, to have a team who thrives in that space take the reins made all the difference (thank you!! :)).

The Real Lesson Here

Leadership isn’t about barking orders or assigning tasks from a distance. It’s not about just asking for updates or saying something and assuming the team will figure it out. It’s about truly supporting the people under your charge. Leadership is not about being in charge, its about taking care of those in your charge.

Far too often, poor leadership reveals itself when:

• Tasks are assigned with no regard for bandwidth.
• Unrealistic expectations are set without necessary resources or access to resources
• Leaders only talk but don’t lift a finger to help
• Leaders assume silence equals “no problem.”
• Employees are left to sink or swim, with the leader waiting to watch them sink (i know of one who harbours such evil)
• The leader quotes their famous phrase “just have to do it” or “just go do it”

Bad leaders are not only reactive. They confuse delegation with abdication—handing off responsibility without accountability or support. They give vague answers to avoid accountability, hardly make any big decisions usually instructing their team to take the questions higher up themselves, and they give instructions without proper consultation.

What Good Leaders Do Instead

Good leaders don’t merely lead from the front—they walk alongside their teams. They check in, not check out.

Here are a few leadership questions that separate a good leader from a poor one:

• “Do you have everything you need to succeed at this?”
• “What’s blocking your progress?” (what process can the leader remove to make things better and faster)
• “How can I help you execute this well?”
• “Are you ok taking this on—what do you need from me?”
• “Is the timeline achievable, or do we need to rethink this?”

These may sound simple. But they’re powerful. When a leader pauses to ask these, they communicate trust, empathy, and awareness. They also empower the team to speak up, ask for help, and perform at their best without burning out.

Leadership Is Not About Being In Charge

It’s about taking care of those in your charge.

To me, that’s what Dato Seri Michael Tio exemplified with just one phone call and walking the floor with the team the entire time during the event setup. The result? A wildly successful #MBR30 celebration, built on collaboration amongst the right people, not silent suffering.

So if you’re in a leadership role, pause for a moment today and ask yourself:
Have I asked my team how they’re really doing?
Have I equipped them to succeed—or am I just hoping they’ll “figure it out”?

Because great outcomes don’t come from talking louder.
They come from leading better.

A Heartfelt Thanks

To Team Malaysia Book Of Records, thank you for the tireless work and long hours.
To our Chairman Dato Seri Michael Tio, thank you for the leadership & keeping us company during setup day! To Corrine & Celine, thank you for taking charge and showing me what leadership in action is, To Calvin & Faizal, thank you for all the creative work, and To the crew, vendors & everyone who contributed to making our 30th Anniversary event an unforgettable,
A BIG THANK YOU!

Value added note:
A good leader has no ego, and knows when he/she is not a subject matter expert and steps aside to let those who know better take charge. Knowing when to stay silent and work in the shadows and let others take credit is a sign of good leadership. Good leaders speak when there is something of value to say, lousy leaders speak just to be seen.