A Journey Home

I have spent most of my life away from my hometown, Kota Bharu. My early years were in Mentakab, Pahang, where my father served in the army.

Those formative years shaped my understanding of discipline and resilience, values my father lived by as a soldier.

After my father retired, I returned to Kota Bharu to complete six years of primary school. Later, I moved to a boarding school in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, for my secondary education.

This was my first exposure to a new environment and culture, and it sparked a curiosity about the world beyond my hometown.

After secondary school, I spent a year back in Kelantan for a pre-university course. Then, I moved to Bangi, Selangor, to pursue my degree, which was followed by a short stint in Kuala Lumpur during the early years of my career. Eventually, I spent 25 years in Sintok, Kedah, before transitioning to Putrajaya.

At the age of 50, I finally returned to Kelantan. This return marked a significant chapter in my life, bringing me closer to my family and relatives – a blessing I had long missed.

I also had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and witness the entrepreneurial spirit Kelantanese are renowned for.

Kelantanese people are celebrated for their drive and resilience. Many have achieved remarkable success in corporate and government sectors.

However, after spending three years leading an institution in Kelantan and another three years observing from the ground up, I’ve come to realise that my understanding of the local work culture is still limited.

We are different in many ways – both good and bad. This realisation has given me a fresh perspective on why some of my Kelantanese colleagues hesitate to return home.

The Challenge of Leadership

When I joined UMK in 2019, I was a bit nervous. The university’s rank was far from ideal, and I felt the weight of expectation. As Deputy Director General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), I was responsible for overseeing public universities.

Now, the challenge was personal: Could I transform UMK into the best entrepreneurship university, as mandated by the minister?

Along the way, I met many young, talented individuals who restored my confidence. Their energy and passion convinced me that transformation was possible.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked together to turn the university into one of the best in the country.

We achieved what many thought was impossible, and it remains the most fulfilling experience of my 30-year academic career.

The Cost of Leadership

When my term as Vice Chancellor ended, I took a nine-month sabbatical leave. During that time, I focused on writing a book, consulting, and conducting training sessions. It allowed me to reconnect with the corporate world and gain new perspectives.

Returning to the faculty felt like coming full circle. My focus shifted to teaching, researching, and writing. My time in leadership had passed, and I embraced this new phase with gratitude.

However, from my vantage point as a faculty member, I began to notice a troubling trend over the past few years: we were losing many talented individuals.

Losing Our Best People

Many of those leaving sought my advice before making their decision. While I wished they would stay, I understood their reasons for seeking opportunities in more established universities like UM, UTM, UKM, and UUM. A few even joined prestigious institutions in China and the UK, further highlighting their immense potential.

Today, at the airport, I met a familiar face – a young, top-performing lecturer from UMK. She told me she was leaving too. While it was another sad moment, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride when she expressed how I had inspired her journey.  She recalled my advice and mentioned that she still reads the books I had recommended to her, which had shaped her growth and perspective.

This encounter reinforced a harsh truth: retaining talent is one of the greatest challenges for any institution. Leadership plays a critical role in creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered.

Leadership is Not a Privilege, But a Responsibility

Leadership is not a joke. It is a responsibility to inspire and guide, to bring out the best in people. Great leaders transform institutions by having a clear vision and mission.

They empower their teams, listen with empathy, and create opportunities for growth. While their approach may challenge the lazy, it enables the hardworking to thrive.

The Qur’an reminds us of the importance of leadership rooted in integrity and service. Allah says, “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing” (Surah An-Nisa 4:58).

True leaders must have the courage to act justly and make difficult decisions. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “The leader of a people is their servant” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2858). This hadith serves as a reminder that leadership is not about power but about serving others with sincerity and dedication.

The Importance of Speaking Up

One of the challenges I have observed is the lack of open dialogue. Too often, fear prevents people from speaking up, leading to missed opportunities for growth and improvement. As the saying goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

I am more concerned about the silence of the wise than the noise of fools. In an environment where people are afraid to voice their opinions, progress becomes stagnant. Leaders must create spaces where ideas can be shared freely without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Moving Forward

Returning home has been a journey of self-discovery. It has allowed me to reflect on my own leadership experiences and the challenges of fostering a culture of excellence. While Kelantan is rich in talent and potential, retaining and nurturing that talent requires collective effort.

As I look back on my journey, I am reminded of the words of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW): “The best of people are those that bring the most benefit to the rest of mankind” (Sunan al-Kubra, Hadith 173). This is the essence of true leadership – leaving a legacy that uplifts others.

I may not have all the answers, but I believe in the power of small, consistent actions. Whether it is mentoring young talents, sharing knowledge, or simply listening, every effort counts.

To my colleagues and students, I offer this advice: Lead with purpose, speak with courage, and never stop learning. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Note: Dr Azizi is a professor at the Malaysian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Business (MGSEB), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. He can be contacted at [email protected]