NAVIGATING high-stakes decisions is part of Datuk Fad’l Mohamed’s job as Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO).
While he values diverse viewpoints, he adopts a “30% data, 30% experience and 40% instinct” approach to steer the national bourse forward.
Decision-makers do not always have the luxury of consulting everyone, he said.
“Data gives you the ability to assess. It gives you a higher probability of getting it right.
“Experience is an important factor, because it tells you what you’ve gone through and what you’ve seen happen when you make a certain call.
“Use a little bit of instinct because sometimes you’re going into hazy, uncharted territory, and you have to make that call,” he told UCSI students during a session held as part of the university’s Faculty CEO Series on July 6.
Fad’l also stressed that leaders must ultimately take full responsibility for their decisions.
“At the end of the day, the buck stops with you. Whatever call you make, you’re going to be accountable and responsible for that call,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of strategic focus, suggesting that leaders spend more than half of their time on strategy.
To stay ahead of market developments, Fad’l maintains a disciplined routine of tracking global trends.
“I spend a good 30 minutes in the morning understanding what happened the night before.
“What happened in the United States from a market perspective? What happened from a news perspective? Are there any policy changes that would impact the market in Kuala Lumpur today?” he said.
He reminded students that global events are closely interconnected, with macroeconomic conditions, geopolitics and policy shifts abroad directly influencing local markets.
“What happens in the Strait of Hormuz will also have an impact on the price of goods and services that we all buy or use every day,” he said.
Looking ahead, Fad’l highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as the next major technological wave, following the computer and mobile eras.
“AI is here to stay. It’s important that we learn to embrace it,” he said, encouraging students to build capabilities that will give them an edge in the workforce.
The UCSI Faculty CEO Series brings academic perspectives and industry leadership into closer dialogue, giving students direct exposure to leaders shaping markets, organisations and public policy.
Previous speakers include Malaysia Aviation Group former group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail and Capital A CEO and AirAsia co-founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, the varsity said in a press release.
