KUALA LUMPUR – Leadership today is no longer about authority or control; it’s about empathy, understanding, and grace.
That was the key takeaway from The Gender Equation: Leading Through Balance, a live talk session hosted by Sinar Daily on Friday night at KLGCC Mall, held in collaboration with Sime Darby and Girls4Girls Malaysia.
The event, which also marked the soft launch of Kuala Lumpur’s newest luxury mall, drew an engaged audience eager to explore what it truly means to lead in the modern era.
Among the standout voices was iCare Dental Malaysia Director and Founder, Dr Ibrahim Shahruddin, who stressed that empathy should be at the core of every leader’s mindset.
"If I were to choose one mindset shift, I would say it’s empathy. It’s about internalising empathy at your core, looking at things from your team’s perspective, seeing the world through their eyes.
“The more perspectives you understand, the better you can solve problems," he said.
Dr Ibrahim added that effective leadership comes from recognising both strengths and weaknesses within a team.
"We live in an era where anyone can reach their potential, whether it’s men or women, but leaders must first understand their people. Empathy allows you to see things from different angles and guide your team accordingly," he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Content Creator Alana Dunsmore emphasised the importance of moving away from outdated, authoritarian leadership styles.
“We’ve gone past the kind of leadership where shouting gets things done. If you’re going to shout at your team all day, they’re not going to see you as a leader, they’ll see you as an enemy. Take care of your team, understand them, because that’s how leaders of the future will thrive," she said.
Meanwhile, Cuura Malaysia Sdn Bhd Director Sarah Shah Nor highlighted the need to lead with grace, especially in high-pressure environments.
“As leaders, we often expect our teams to grind as hard as we do. But when things don’t go our way, we need to respond with grace.
“When your team sees you calm and accepting of flaws, they learn and grow too," she said.
The discussion, moderated by Sinar Daily as part of its ongoing efforts to highlight women’s leadership and balance in the workplace, stressed that leadership in 2025 is not about command, but connection.
Impact Beyond the Corporate Sphere
Members of the audience also shared their thoughts, reflecting the talk’s impact beyond the corporate sphere.
Hana Fedora, 41, a business owner, said the session helped her reflect on her own leadership role in both business and family.
“My favourite part was when the panellists discussed how to balance work between genders. It made me realise how important it is to know your strengths and weaknesses and how to combine them to lead effectively.
“If I could describe the event in one word, educational and knowledgeable,” she said when interviewed today at KLGCC Mall.
For Rafiqah Eliza Elias, 48, a housewife, the discussion resonated deeply with her as a parent.
“It’s about gender equality and leadership, and I realised it applies to parenting too. Parents are also leaders; we guide, we nurture, and we set examples,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Muhammad Naim Muhamad Ali, 31, a lecturer at UOW Malaysia, said the panel’s insights made him draw parallels between leadership and family dynamics.
“Listening to the discussion reminded me that managing people in the workplace is similar to managing your family; it’s all about understanding.
“People come with different values and ideas, and understanding is the key,” he said.
The event closed on a high note, with attendees praising Sinar Daily for creating a platform that not only encourages dialogue about leadership but also bridges understanding between genders and generations.