“When did you realize you were meant to pursue management (over being an individual contributor or technical expert)?” 🤔
This is a question I used to ask managers, directors, and GMs I admire—those whose leadership styles I appreciate and aspire to emulate.
Almost all of them said, “Very early on.”
Some shared that it was simply what their growing organizations needed at the time.
This time, I was the one being asked.
And honestly? There isn’t a simple answer.
But I’ll try to break it down as best I can.
✨ Early Days
I’ve found myself in leadership roles for most of my student life.
In grade school and high school, it was almost automatic—if you had good grades, you’d be nominated as a class officer.
Back then, I was young, emotional, moody, and constantly seeking guidance.
I wasn’t the charismatic type, and I didn’t feel proud of those early leadership experiences.
But the lessons I learned? I carry them with me to this day. 🎒
There are a couple of accomplishments from that time that I still remember fondly—moments when my leadership led to something tangible and purposeful.
I might share those stories in a separate post. 😉
🌱 College: The Turning Point
College was where my journey of self-discovery truly began.
There was still so much about myself I hadn’t figured out.
As I’ve shared in a previous blog (Growth Begins with Belief), I wasn’t exactly an excellent student.
Balancing academics with non-academic commitments was tough.
But I don’t regret pursuing other passions alongside my studies.
Those experiences taught me more about myself, about people, and about the importance of relationships—in leadership and in life.
I joined a special interest organization, UP SAVER (Student Association of Valuers of Energy Resources), and eventually became its president.
Through it, I built lifelong friendships, learned how organizations function, and led projects and activities that aligned with our advocacy—energy resource conservation, a cause close to my heart.
I also challenged myself to face my insecurities.
As an introvert, running for Engineering Student Council (ESC) Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute Representative was a huge leap.
I did the whole campaign thing—going classroom to classroom, chanting taglines, sharing platforms.
One memory stands out: one of my closest friends Evoanne handing out flyers with my name on them, while I stood in front of a packed classroom, speaking to a crowd.
Her support made the daunting task of public speaking and campaigning feel a little less scary—and a lot more meaningful. 💛
To our surprise, I garnered the second-highest number of votes, despite not being affiliated with the more popular academic organizations.
That made all the hard work worth it.
Being part of the ESC added another layer to my leadership journey.
It sharpened my skills in organizational management, event planning, and marketing.
And, of course, it deepened my appreciation for meaningful relationships. 🤝
In 2012, I was deeply honored to be named one of the recipients of the Outstanding Leadership Award in Engineering’s Top 100—an event I had helped organize just a year earlier as part of the ESC. I remember feeling genuinely happy and proud to be recognized among the student leaders I had once celebrated. 🎉
🧠 Psych 101: A Game-Changer
Another pivotal moment in my leadership and personal development journey was taking Psych 101 as an elective.
I genuinely believe everyone should learn basic psychological principles.
It was in this class that I first learned the importance of looking inward.
Before we can lead others—or even improve ourselves—we must first become self-aware.
Understanding concepts like emotional intelligence, cognitive biases, and personality types helped me better navigate team dynamics, manage stress, and communicate with empathy.
It gave me language for things I had felt but couldn’t explain. It helped me grow—not just as a leader, but as a person. 🌟
***To be continued***