PETALING JAYA: Leaders must remain open to feedback, keep learning and have the courage to uphold their values, says Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) chief executive Datuk Seri Rosman Mohamed.
He said leaders must be willing to accept uncomfortable feedback, as it could help them recognise their shortcomings and improve.
“Never stop learning. Listen well. Keep an open mind and always be willing to accept feedback, even when you may not hear what you want to hear,” he said during the “Authentic Leadership” session yesterday at the HR National Conference & Convention 2026.
The event, which concluded yesterday, brought together about 2,000 delegates and featured 20 plenary sessions under the theme “People First. Technology Forward. Future Focused”.
Rosman said authentic leadership required self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the willingness to remain genuine and consistent in how leaders behaved.
Leaders needed to understand their own strengths and limitations while responding appropriately to those around them, he added.
He urged delegates to seek feedback from those around them, including colleagues, superiors and family members.
While acknowledging that feedback could be uncomfortable, he said accepting it was important for personal growth.
Rosman said authenticity also meant being truthful and having the courage to give honest feedback, particularly when leaders cared about the development of their people.
He said leaders should “manage from the heart” by listening to their teams, addressing issues without attacking individuals and delivering feedback with compassion.
“You care, you want that person to improve. That’s what managing from the heart is all about.”
He also said leaders could not claim to uphold certain values if they made exceptions whenever those values became inconvenient.
“If you don’t do the right thing, then you’re not genuine, and people can read you,” he said.
In an interview after the session, Rosman said effective leadership also involved giving employees a clear sense of direction and empowering them to contribute towards a shared purpose.
Also present at the session were MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman and RHB Banking Group group managing director and group chief executive officer Mohd Rashid Mohamad.
The Star was among about 80 sponsors and exhibitors at the two-day conference.
