Appreciation To Editor

WRITTEN BY:

As the VP for Women in Governance & Technology Association of Malaysia (WIGTA) since 2016, leading a woman association allows me to foster collaboration and empower women in my association as well as in the society to see the vision.

Women in Governance & Technology Association of Malaysia (WIGTA) or Persatuan Wanita Dalam Urustadbir & Teknologi Malaysia was founded by my beloved mother Ybrs Mdm Hjh Tetty Henney Zulkifli a decade ago. As a women founded and a business woman, advancing women leaders to a new heights is part of her legacy my mother has created. However, by doing so, she has taken many nurturing and responsibilities, and here they are:

1. Develop Confidence

I was raised by a strong woman leader, my mother has influenced me a great deal of new mind set and perspective of never to doubt to lead other women. She also showed me that nothing will get into my plans and ways. I realised not many young women including my friends and schoolmates are brought up and influenced by a role model in a family to find mistakes and errors like in my family. My mother has taught me to find own mistakes and don't let them be a barrier in your path.

Never miss to seek guidance from other female leaders, as part of my leadership journey. Seek to find a role model either in your organization or society. They can help you to face obstacles and develop own aspirations. True leader boost other future female leaders, my mother truly make a difference to me!

2. Mentor Through Collaboration

We grow We aspire, this can come through collaboration and mentoring. I learn being mentored by my mother. For instance, I speak openly, can make own decision and share stories with other women in my association. Do not forget to utilise natural strength and embrace collaboration. These are the criteria I have used to become a woman leader I am today. I started to lead when I was 19 years old as soon as I finished my high school. Looking back I was amazed to realised the impact I have made mentoring other older and younger female leaders. I become more confident, self awareness and positive in the way I think and act. These elements have supported my work and responsibility.

3. Invest and Develop Skill in Leadership Courses

I have been growing through confidence and skills throughout the years within my association. I have volunteered myself in various association committees and board meetings. Within the members of association, I learn soft skills like giving instructions, converse, communicate, giving solutions, interview, advocating new ideas and organize a talk. These are done in our online meeting and chatting platform. I also develop my hard skills such as preparing appointment letters and designation letters, making reciepts, filling up membership forms, designing posters and advertisements, proof-read reports for publishing, edit website and social media postings, and many more responsibilities that need my assistance.

The jobs are not done in daily basis instead as volunteers we do and accomplish all task at our pace and time.

Ms Nik Amalin Harisah Nik Zafri

4. Establish Strong Network

WIGTA has helped me to surround myself with the right people personally and professionally. I can now understand people I know like my families, business partners, members of association, neighbours, siblings, cousins, co workers and society at large.

I see this as opportunity, to communicate, networking and leveraging with women with different type of perpectives, characters, and mindset. I learn about their different skills, education, background, ideas, race and sexual orientation, gender and age.

Since becoming a VP for almost a decade, I learn life sometime would not be very easy and happy as I thought. The high position has put me at a place where I have to think, act and feel differently from my other female friends who are not holding the position as I am. Being a leader and carry top position in the association has created some gap without realising. I am sometime needed to give ideas and instructions. These will demand quite a lot of my energy and time. My mother alway told me that when you are on top you will be more lonely, focus, specialised, professional, think tank, intelligent, over thinking and visionary.

I feel down and negative at times but is greatful having my mother around who I find a right figure to support and back me up during this difficult time. I have siblings brothers who understand me and a father who cares for me.

This year I am 27, I am now getting mature to overcome problems. We are living in a competitiveness world where women should support and build each other up. I have been inspired working with other female leaders in their own field and a women association like WIGTA who has nurtured and developed a young female leader like me.

Thank you for reading!

Visit: WIGTA