KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Pahang has cemented its reputation for excellence by winning the Most Inspiring Leader award at the Employee Experience Awards Malaysia 2024.
The independent government-funded organisation since 2009 was also among the finalists for Best Employee Engagement Initiatives.
The recognition of the foundation's chief executive officer, Datuk Mahmud Mohd Nawawi, as the Most Inspiring Leader is a testament to his exceptional leadership.
The award underscores his dedication to fostering an inspiring and supportive workplace culture in a category marked by fierce competition from some of the largest corporations.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Mahmud said the recognition serves as motivation for Yayasan Pahang to continue making a name for itself.
He said the award proved government-linked entities could reach impressive heights on a par with larger industry players.
Mahmud, who has led Yayasan Pahang since 2015, said the implementation culture that the foundation practised was the catalyst for its achievements.
"We try to instil an implementation culture at Yayasan Pahang. It means that even if we have a good plan, an excellent strategic plan, and KPIs, what drives us is the execution.
"To have a good implementation culture, our staff need to have two things. They need to be motivated and committed, and more importantly, they need to have the skill set and expertise in their field.
"If their motivation is insufficient, we need to ensure that the person we place in that position has the necessary skill set and is an expert in their field. We strive to instil this in our human resources."
He expressed his appreciation to Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and the board of directors for their ideas and support to the foundation.
He said a better execution culture would help Yayasan Pahang achieve its goal of generating finance, including Mahmud's goal of getting RM1 billion in assets for the foundation by 2028.
While Yayasan Pahang has won numerous awards at national and international levels, Mahmud said he always gave his staff the freedom to be creative in helping the foundation.
He said this approach allowed them to work in teams with good ethics and core values.
"For a successful school, it's the teachers. For a successful organisation, it's the staff. We only give direction and empowerment.
"So that's what is essential for the staff to have the freedom to be creative. It means we don't constrain them. We provide empowerment.
"It doesn't matter if they are in a lower position, like a driver or a clerk. They shouldn't feel like they have to wait for instructions. They can take the initiative. That's what I hope, that we can create that culture here."
With 31 years of experience at the C-suite level, Mahmud said a good leader always remained humble.
Humility, which involves staying modest despite achievements, helps a leader continue to drive his organisation effectively, he said.
"I believe this quality will strengthen the organisation. While it may seem obvious, many other important aspects come into play. If I were to give myself advice, it would be to follow the principle of the padi stalk. The riper the stalk, the lower it bows."
