Participants listen attentively to Lau (in red) during a training session.
A SEASONED consultant is helping shape better leaders and trainers across industries through a series of focused training sessions, including train-the-trainer, effective management and communication workshops.
But for Sibu-born David Lau, 59, training has never been just about performance.
It’s about people and the belief that everyone, no matter their background, can change the course of their life when given the right tools and mindset.
“I didn’t just want to train people to perform – I wanted to help them transform,” he said.
Lau’s journey began in the corporate world over two decades ago, where he spent years in finance and banking – first as a finance officer, then finance manager, bank manager and later vice-president.
He had what many would call a successful career. But something kept pulling him towards the human side of work.
“I was always curious about how people grow,” he said.
“Why some teams thrive while others struggle, even when they have the same resources. That curiosity changed my path.”
In 2003, he left the corporate comfort zone to start a new chapter focused on people, performance and learning management.
Over the years, that decision has taken him into classrooms, boardrooms and training halls across Malaysia, where he has worked with participants from nearly every major industry – from construction to energy, finance and hospitality.
Lau recalls many moments that affirmed his calling, but one story stays with him.
“A participant once told me she had been planning to end her life. Through our sessions, she found meaning again. Today she’s a motivator who helps others,” he said quietly.
“That’s when I realised training isn’t about slides or modules. It’s about hope.”
It’s this human-centred philosophy that has shaped his approach to learning.
His sessions are known for being fun, interactive and motivating – a method he calls “FIM”.
But behind the energy and laughter lies structure: lessons drawn from psychology, leadership theory and years of hands-on experience.
“True learning happens when people connect, share experiences and see how to apply those lessons in their own world,” he said.
From train-the-trainer courses to leadership and emotional intelligence workshops, Lau’s training rooms often bring together people who might never otherwise meet – engineers and teachers, executives and entrepreneurs – all bound by the shared goal of self-improvement.
His consultancy’s clients include major corporations like Shell, Petronas, Lotte, Hilton and AirAsia, but he insists that the joy of training doesn’t depend on the company logo.
“Whether it’s a senior manager or a young trainee, the magic happens when you see someone light up with understanding,” he said.
Lau is one of the few trainers in Sarawak and Sabah certified to conduct train-the-trainer (TTT) and training needs analysis (TNA) programmes recognised by the Human Resources Ministry – a testament to the trust he has earned over the years.
In a fast-changing work landscape, he believes that professional development can no longer be treated as a one-time event.
“We need to move from attendance to application, from certificates to capability,” he said.
“Learning has to be continuous, not occasional.”
Lau sees Sarawak’s future in human capital — developing leaders who can support emerging sectors like renewable energy, the digital economy and green innovation.
“Skills are important, but mindset and resilience matter even more,” he added. “We want Sarawak’s workforce to be globally competitive but grounded in local values.”
Outside of work, he finds peace in music, especially hi-fi sound systems, and family trips.
“Music recharges me. It reminds me of rhythm, harmony, and flow – the same things I try to create in my sessions,” he said.
He credits much of his inspiration to his late mentor Prof Dr Leonard Yong, a respected psychologist and educator.
“He taught me that learning never ends– it only evolves,” Lau said.
“That’s something I hold close.”
As his calendar fills with new programmes, from leadership series in Bintulu to coaching sessions for oil and gas executives, Lau remains grounded in one principle: that learning is ultimately about people discovering themselves.
“I tell my participants, our life’s KPI is to be happy,” he said.
“If we don’t achieve it this year, let’s work on it again next year. Growth is a journey.”
For Lau, training isn’t a job – it’s a lifelong dialogue with people who are still learning, striving, and rediscovering their purpose.
And in every session, in every story, that purpose continues to grow – quietly, powerfully and humanly.
