Every career starts somewhere.
For YBhg. Prof Dato’ Dr. Jim Khor Mun Wei, Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Industries Bhd, that journey began on the factory floor. In a recent virtual engagement with Hong Leong scholars, he reflected on the experiences, lessons and mindset that shaped his path to leadership.
His message was simple: stay curious, keep learning and never stop growing.
Learn well. Look wider. Stay ready.
Prof Dato’ Dr. Jim spoke about curiosity in three ways.
- Learn your job well. Strong careers are built on solid foundations. Knowing your craft, doing things well and taking pride in the quality of your work.
- Learn beyond your role. Understanding how other parts of the business work helps us see the bigger picture, connect ideas and make better decisions.
- Learn about the future. Technology, AI, sustainability and changing markets are reshaping the world around us. Staying curious helps us remain relevant and ready for what comes next.
As he aptly put it, “The quality of your future depends on the quality of your curiosity.”
Starting early
For our scholars, sessions like this are about more than hearing a career story.
They are opportunities to meet our leaders, understand our businesses and discover the many different paths a career can take. Our relationship with our scholars does not end with their education. We want to give them the exposure, experiences and confidence to grow and for some perhaps begin the next chapter of their journey with Hong Leong.
It is one way we continue to invest in the next generation of talent.
Different paths, the same spirit
Not every career needs to lead to the boardroom. Growth may mean becoming a deeper specialist, exploring a different function, learning a new technology, taking on a new challenge or simply finding a better way to do what we do today. That spirit is familiar across Hong Leong.
We build on quality, keep moving through progress, challenge ourselves through innovation and entrepreneurship, and grow stronger through unity. Whether you are just starting out or have been with us for many years, the principle is the same:
Keep learning. Keep improving. Keep looking ahead.
And perhaps the most fitting reminder came from Prof Dato’ Dr. Jim himself:
“The best and risk-free investment in life is to invest on yourself.”