Embracing Change: My Leadership Journey from Command to Collaboration

From Command to Collaboration: A Leadership Transformation

Recently, I had an interview about resilience in leadership, which prompted me to reflect on how my leadership style has evolved over the years. As a former army officer, I transitioned from military-style leadership to focusing on serving and supporting my team. This change didn’t happen overnight; it developed over time, fueled by resilience learned through my struggles.

Military Foundations: A Focus on Discipline and Order

My leadership training began at the Pakistan Military Academy, where discipline, order, and authority principles were paramount. Leadership there meant giving clear instructions, ensuring compliance, and focusing intently on mission outcomes. This model was effective within military contexts, where hierarchy and discipline are crucial for operational success. Orders came from the top and flowed downward, with tight control over resources and personnel, ensuring everyone followed a unified command structure. While critical for military success, this approach demanded rethinking when I transitioned into the civilian world, where adaptability and openness are valued.

Being conditioned to focus on objectives rather than personal needs brought initial success. However, I soon discovered this style might not resonate well outside structured environments, where creativity and individual input are key. Military leadership focuses on anchors like predictability and discipline, which served me well in armed service but needed recalibration for the civilian and business worlds.

A Pivotal Challenge: Navigating Personal Adversity

My leadership philosophy faced a turning point when I suffered a spinal cord injury in Kashmir, which led to paraplegia. This life-changing incident challenged my physical capabilities and understanding of what it means to lead. I found myself relying on others for support, which was a humbling experience. The rigid, autocratic style that had served me so well suddenly seemed inadequate in the face of personal vulnerability.

During my recovery in the UK, I began to understand resilience—a crucial skill in overcoming adversity. The path to recovery was not only physical but also deeply psychological, requiring a blend of mental fortitude, adaptability, and patience. Through this experience, I realised that true leadership involved empowering others and drawing strength from vulnerability, a notion foreign to my earlier training. I learned to see challenges as opportunities for growth, leaning heavily on empathy—a foundational element of servant leadership.

Broadening Horizons: Learning about Teamwork in Academia

My next significant shift occurred while pursuing computer science studies in Düsseldorf, Germany. This new academic environment encouraged an entirely different type of learning. Unlike military training, there was a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and exchanging ideas. I realised that learning from peers, engaging in group projects, and participating in open discussions offered various perspectives crucial for problem-solving and leadership.

In academia, I had the chance to observe and participate in environments that supported open communication and fostered individual strengths. These experiences were pivotal in helping me transition from a directive approach to one that appreciates teamwork and cooperative effort. The emphasis on critical thinking and innovation further highlighted the need for a flexible mindset, encouraging leaders to adapt strategies based on team strengths and situational demands.

My internship with Kindernothilfe (KNH), a German childcare agency, was particularly enlightening. Engaging in a service-oriented environment allowed me to witness firsthand the power of nurturing, supporting, and empowering others, especially those who are vulnerable. This role opened my eyes to a new leadership model that balances authority with empathy and highlights the potential within every individual, further steering me towards a more servant-hearted approach.

Entrepreneurial Challenges: Introduction to Hong Kong

Upon moving to Hong Kong, I entered the entrepreneurial sphere, founding Craver Computer Consultants. Starting a business in a foreign land brought its set of challenges, from understanding the local market dynamics to overcoming societal biases linked with my disability. These experiences tested my resilience again, pushing me to adapt swiftly and efficiently in new environments.

While establishing my business, I learned crucial lessons about leadership, adaptability, and perseverance. Navigating these challenges reaffirmed the importance of resilience, highlighting the need for adaptability and quick learning. Each obstacle I faced became a lesson in understanding the context-specific intricacies of leadership. I eventually had to shut down my business and look for a job. The Hong Kong job market was not very kind, but my lessons in resilience paid off.

Corporate Lessons and Collaborative Success at Pacific Rim Systems and IMA

My subsequent roles at companies like Pacific Rim Systems and International Messaging Associates (IMA) offered further insight into leading in corporate settings. Engaging in cutting-edge projects underscored the necessity of teamwork, negotiating standards, and meeting shared goals. At IMA, I began to integrate the principles of servant leadership more consciously. Here, empowering team members, fostering open communication, and actively soliciting their input in decision-making became central to my leadership learning approach.

I found immense value in creating spaces where team members felt safe and heard—a departure from autocracy to inclusivity. I encouraged a culture where ideas were freely shared and valued, moving away from strict command structures toward more fluid, open exchanges of thoughts and strategies.

Cityline Hong Kong Limited: A Turning Point for Practical Leadership

As CEO of Cityline Hong Kong Limited, I faced a struggling company needing transformation. In confronting these challenges, I avoided the typical top-down, authoritative solutions. Instead, I believed that acknowledging the value and potential of each team member would help us collectively overcome obstacles. By fostering a culture based on mutual trust and empowerment, Cityline experienced a remarkable turnaround.

We achieved significant successes, such as implementing the Urban Ticketing System (URBTIX) for the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong Disneyland online ticketing platform. These accomplishments underscored the power of servant leadership, proving that resilience and empathy lead to effective organisational outcomes. I realised that focusing on people and creating supportive environments fuels innovation and commitment, propelling organisations toward success.

Continued Resilience and Growth: Building ASAP TP, OCTO3, Myvoucher.io and FTS.Money

Founding ASAP TP, and later OCTO3, myvoucher.io, and FTS.Money solidified my commitment to servant leadership enriched by resilience. These businesses weren't just about achieving financial gain but about nurturing strong, collaborative teams and encouraging positive work environments. Although ASAP TP eventually failed and dissolved, the experience was a valuable reminder of the importance of resilience and adaptation.

OCTO3’s transformation into a global payment hub further highlighted the effectiveness of a leadership model grounded in resilience. The results weren't just seen in financial metrics but also in the organisational culture, where open communication, shared decision-making, and employee empowerment were prioritised.

Comparing Leadership Styles

To illustrate the evolution of my leadership journey, let's look at how different aspects of leadership vary across the styles I've experienced:

	Military Leadership	Resilience Leadership	Servant Leadership
Decision-Making	Centralised, top-down	Adaptive, informed by diverse views	Collaborative, inclusive
Communication	Direct, hierarchical	Open, transparent, encourages input	Empathetic, two-way
Empowerment	Limited, control-focused	High, fosters initiative	High, promotes team growth
Focus	Mission-centric, efficient	Overcoming challenges and adapting	Team well-being and growth
Motivation	External rewards/punishments	Purpose-driven, internal growth	Meaningful contribution and impact

Conclusion: Embracing Leadership Evolution

My journey from military to servant leadership wasn’t straightforward; it was a progressive transformation, strengthened by the unwavering resilience cultivated through adversity. The rigid, top-down military structure gradually gave way to a flexible, adaptive, resilient leadership style, paving the way for the empathetic and service-oriented approach that now defines my leadership philosophy.

Every stage of this journey was a foundation for the next, with each challenge enhancing my determination and broadening my grasp of effective and empathetic leadership. This continuous development has influenced both my business pursuits and social activism, highlighting the lasting strength of resilience in cultivating genuine leadership. It's about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and positively impacting the world, which ultimately makes the journey fulfilling and significant.

Understanding the strengths and challenges of these leadership models can help one appreciate the power and necessity of adapting leadership styles to meet varied circumstances. This approach enhances personal growth and maximises the positive contributions one can make within any organisation or community.

#LeadershipJourney #Resilience #ServantLeadership #Empowerment #Teamwork #GrowthMindset #AjmalSamuel #LeadershipThatWorks