Last Sunday, I stood on the stage of the National University of Singapore, receiving my Master of Technology in Digital Leadership from NUS-ISS. It was a powerful moment of reflection, not just on academic achievement, but on a deeper journey I’ve taken as a leader, an architect, and an individual trying to make meaningful change in a complex world.
In my role as a Solution Architect in the core banking sector, I help banks transition from legacy systems to modern, cloud-native platforms. This is a form of transformation that goes far beyond technology. It touches people, culture, and power structures that have existed for decades. As I became more involved in these large-scale transformations, one truth became increasingly clear: those with power are not always the most capable. And often, those who are capable are not given power.
I saw it firsthand. In global firms, leadership often mirrors legacy power structures. In one UK-based company, most leadership roles were held by white men. As an Asian professional, I quickly learned that traditional career ladders were not designed for people like me. I had to find new ways to lead, without formal authority, without a title, and often without a seat at the table. I had to learn how to speak up, how to influence, and how to drive change from the margins.
That’s where my journey at NUS came in. This program didn’t just teach me frameworks and strategies, it taught me how leadership really works. And as uncomfortable as the truth may be, the world is not a meritocracy. Power has not disappeared, it has not become more evenly distributed, and the rules that govern it remain deeply entrenched. If we want to do good in the world, more good people must gain power. And to do that, we must stop avoiding the topic and start mastering it.
Leadership skill is the ability to effectively understand others at work and use that knowledge to influence others to enhance personal and organizational objectives. Research shows it is the single strongest predictor of career success. It is what allows people to build influence, improve relationships, manage impressions, and create change, regardless of their title.
I used to think influence was about charisma or being extroverted. But I’ve learned that leadership skill is not manipulation. It is a conscious and strategic effort to build trust, gain allies, and drive outcomes that matter. It allows capable professionals to change the game instead of playing by one that was never designed for them.
This insight changed how I saw leadership. It is not about control. It is about creating environments where others can thrive. It is about putting yourself and your allies in positions to influence. It is about understanding that if change could happen without power, it would have happened already. The first step to real transformation is understanding how leadership works and being willing to use it for the benefit of others.
That is what my graduation truly represents. Not just the end of a degree, but the beginning of a new commitment. To lead boldly. To speak up when it is easier to stay silent. To build networks that lift people up. To challenge outdated norms and glass ceilings. And to ensure that leadership is not a privilege for the few, but a responsibility for the many.
To my professors, classmates, family, and friends, thank you. Your support helped me grow not just as a student, but as a leader. I carry this degree not just with pride, but with purpose.
Let us be the kind of leaders who do not wait for permission. Let us understand power, use it wisely, and change lives, change organizations, and change the world. One conversation, one decision, and one act of courage at a time.
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