My Story
“To Bring Joy and Light Into People’s Lives”
When I tell people I transitioned from 15 years in the tech industry to now speaking and training on people skills, I usually get two responses.
One is of surprise, and the other is of curiosity. “How did THAT happen?”
I wanted to share a bit of my story so that you have a better understanding of why I’m passionate about what I do.
My Early Years
I was born in Singapore to a loving and supportive family, with both an older sister and a younger brother. For much of my early years, I was a small, quiet, anti-social kid who didn’t want much to do with anyone.
Growing up, I really struggled in school, particularly with my languages. Being an English teacher, my mother tried her best to help me, but later realised that I was Dyslexic, which was the source of my struggles.
After trying all sorts of ways to improve my condition, my parents decided it would be best to send me and my sister to Australia, where there was better recognition and support for Dyslexia. And I academically thrive here while still remaining socially awkward.
Teen and Young Adult Years
Realising I was decent in my maths and sciences (and following my distaste for languages), I decided to study Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of Western Australia, where I excelled.
It was also during this time when I became more involved in a local church youth group, which became truly formative in my personal development.
I met leaders and mentors who invested in me. I made friends who helped me feel I belonged. And I found an area of service where I could give of my time, energy and talents.
These positive influences at such a formative period of my life birthed in me a passion to help other young people going through similar struggles.
Most of all, during this time I came to a powerful realisation that began to shift my mindset.
People are important!
No matter what you do and how well you do it, you’re always doing it with people and for people. And if people are so important, being able to relate, communicate and work alongside people becomes equally important.
This was the start of my transformation.
Working Life in the Tech Industry
After a stint in Singapore to serve my National Service, I worked for a software company for 15 years.
The reason I stayed so long in this company can be boiled down to one word.
Culture.
During my time there, I noticed that the founders and directors were intentional about creating a culture of both excellence and belonging.
I noticed this expressed in daily interactions, with directors expressing interest in what I was doing and thanking me for my hard work. I saw how the company bent over backwards to help people with visa issues or suffering mental health problems. I saw how they intentionally made everyone feel welcome and connected, much like a family.
During my time there, I also got the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles, particularly because I noticed that I was slowly becoming more interpersonal. I started off as a Software Developer, then moved to Team Leading, Project Management, Account Management and finally Sales Executive.
And while I am grateful for the chance to try so many things out, I never found something that truly resonated with who I am. I could do the job, but it wasn’t something I wanted to commit my life to.
And the sad irony was that after 20 years of trying to avoid extensive writing, the Dyslexic boy was now forced to respond to massive government tenders as part of my sales role.
I was struggling to find my purpose.
Exposure to People Skills
My first exposure to the topic of people skills actually comes from my father.
In the mid-1990s, my father retrained from being a ship pilot, to becoming a life coach. He started a successful business in Singapore, speaking and training on the topic of communication and emotional intelligence. This was at a time when the concept was still relatively new.
And at the time, I had next to no interest in the topic whatsoever.
Decades later, after he had retired and migrated to Australia, he was still running similar workshops for churches, not for profits and youth leaders. It was then that I had the opportunity to attend one of his programs.
And it blew my mind.
I realised how powerful and useful these tools were and how universally applicable they were for everyone in every industry, circumstance or life stage.
Everyone can benefit from being able to communicate effectively, regulate their own emotions, understand their (and others’) personality and resolve conflicts peacefully.
And yet in my 17+ years of education, I never formally learnt many of these skills.
I ended up going through several other programs of his, including a DISC Behavioural Consultant Accreditation and Life Coaching Certification.
The Positive Difference
Coming out of the learning I did both from my father’s programs, my own readings and the connections I was forming, I started running similar workshops for both businesses and not for profits.
And I loved it. The workshops I ran were fun, engaging and experiential. But above all, they were life transforming.
I saw the light come on in people’s eyes. I saw people come to their “aha” moment. I had people years later come back to me saying how much they appreciated what they learnt.
And most importantly, I found something I wanted to dedicate my life to. I was truly bringing “joy and light into people’s lives”, which has become my personal mission.
So, after 15 years in the tech industry, I took the leap and started The Positive Difference.
I want to help the person I once was. I want to support other tech teams and emerging leaders, to equip them with the skills that will make a massive positive difference in their teams and their lives.
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to support your team in their journey as well.
Certifications and Credentials
- Diploma of Leadership and Management - National Training
- Cert 4 in Training and Assessment - South Metro TAFE
- DISC Behavioural Consultant - Institute for Motivational Living
- Coaching with Emotional Intelligence - Life Skills Centre
- Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) - University of Western Australia
- Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Electrical Electronic Engineering) – University of Western Australia