Originally published March 17, 2025 10:28 PM (GMT+8)
Culture builds nations. Culture destroys nations.
Tonight, over a simple dinner with my wife, I had a realization—culture is everything.
As a leader, I’ve learned that strategy alone doesn’t build a great institution—culture does.
And in education, the best strategy isn’t about aggressive marketing or flashy campaigns.
You can spend millions on promotions, hire the best sales team, and showcase world-class facilities.
But if students don’t feel a deep connection—if they don’t belong—they leave.
Culture is what makes them stay.
And the only way to build a great culture is by anchoring it in purpose.
But what happens when a nation, a school, or a student loses sight of their purpose?
They become lost.
For a long time, I struggled with Malaysia.
I fell in love with Melbourne—the lifestyle, the people, the efficiency.
I was even on track for Australian citizenship. Everything seemed perfect.
But then, something unexpected happened.
I came back to Malaysia.
And the moment I returned, I felt like a foreigner in my own country.
The inefficiency. The corruption. The racial divides.