KUCHING: The two-day Contemporary Leadership International Summit 2025 (CLIS 2025), which ended at the Riverside Majestic Hotel yesterday (Thursday), brought together global thought leaders, academics and industry professionals to discuss the evolving paradigms of leadership in a rapidly changing world.
The summit emphasised the critical need for values-centric leadership, ethical governance and the deliberate development of future leaders to navigate the complexities of the modern era.
Dr Mohd Fauzi Shaffie, representing the Malaysian Research and Education Foundation, opened his session by tracing the historical evolution of leadership theories. He highlighted the transition from the Great Men Theory, which posited that leaders were born with innate qualities, to contemporary leadership styles that emphasised collaboration, emotional intelligence and adaptability.
“Contemporary leadership is not a single theory but a collection of principles focusing on collaboration, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making. While traditional leadership theories remain relevant, modern leaders must adapt to new methodologies to address the challenges of today’s interconnected world,” he said.
Fauzi outlined ten core strengths of effective leadership, including visionary thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, integrity and empathy. He emphasised that these qualities were essential for leaders to guide their organisations effectively.
“Integrity and ethical leadership are paramount, yet only 5 per cent of leaders prioritise value management. This is a concerning trend that must be addressed,” he said.
Looking ahead, he called for a conscious and deliberate effort to develop future leaders. “We cannot rely on chance to produce the leaders of tomorrow. There must be a structured approach to cultivating leadership qualities that align with the values of integrity, empathy and vision,” he said.
He proposed a framework for leadership development, emphasising the importance of training and experience. “Leadership is a skill, not just knowledge. You cannot become a great leader by merely reading books. You must go through the process, make decisions and learn from experience,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for tailored leadership training modules for different sectors, including public service, corporate organisations and political leadership.
“Transformational, servant and adaptive leadership styles are particularly suited to the public sector while corporate leaders must focus on fostering inclusivity and innovation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Engr. Abdul Aziz S. Al-Yousefi, president of Al-Yousefi Value Engineering in Saudi Arabia, focused on the importance of values-centric leadership in achieving organisational success. Drawing from Islamic teachings, he quoted Prophet Muhammad.
“God loves when one of you do a job and you perfect it. This principle underpins the concept of value engineering, which seeks to maximise efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness.
“Value engineering is not just about saving money; it’s about achieving the best possible outcomes through creative problem-solving and ethical decision-making,” he explained.
“If you cannot measure quality, you cannot manage it. Value engineering provides a framework for quantifying quality and ensuring that it aligns with the desired outcomes,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of leadership in driving successful value engineering initiatives. “The success of any project, whether in engineering or management, depends on the leader. A good leader can inspire innovation, foster collaboration and ensure the implementation of effective solutions,” he added.
