Our heartiest congratulations to Tan Sri Fng Ah Seng for being awarded the military rank of Honorary Colonel on the 1st of June, 2023, by the King of Malaysia.
With Tan Sri’s lifelong passion and ambition to be of service to the safety and serenity of Malaysia, this was a momentous and inspiring occasion for us all - showing that perseverance can indeed reap success. As Tan Sri always says, ‘Never give up!’
In the celebrations, he gave his utmost thanks to all those that supported him and helped make it happen. It was breaking new ground, both, personally and collectively, for us at Epic Valley and Tan Sri’s charity foundation.
Family Matters
An employee once complimented Tan Sri at an office gathering - remarking that his family were doing such a great job at work. Tan Sri duly replied that his ‘family’ also included the entire team. It was a collective effort. This struck a comforting cord with the crowd - reminding us that the concept of family can be a powerful binding agent between people.
The question is, does the notion of ‘family’ play a crucial part in our social construct in keeping us all in a cohesive, harmonious and productive state - not just by the default of blood ties and ancestry, but between colleagues in the workplace, and in all public associations? Is it beneficial to see each other as family members?
Eastern culture, for the most part, is family-oriented, where family ties are the backbone of an individual’s life. Close-knit traditions passed down by each generation have attempted to keep the importance of family customs and connections alive in an ever-modernising world. Respect is expected for the elders and parents, who are seen as wise guides, mentors and guardians for the younger generation. Such individuals with a deeply instilled family culture can tend to colour their relationships at work with customers, colleagues and bosses - influencing their attitude, motivation, comradeship, and confrontations. Although being sensitive to another’s needs is valuable, however, there is a certain level of conservative demeanour and a tenuous dependency on relationships that can become a detriment to keeping a business working efficiently and professionally. In the Eastern tradition, relationships take priority.
Western values have generally favoured more personal independence and emancipation from filial piety. It is more concerned with individualistic success, where the values of self-expression, resourcefulness and personal evolution are celebrated. When individuals leave the family nest, often, family values are relegated to the backseat, just like a phase in one’s life. New relationships are formed in the workplace and social settings, which then take centre stage. In short, family culture is swapped for corporate culture. Individuals that possess an independent, go-getter nature have an advantage in companies with a Westernised business model - leaning more towards an impersonal profit-driven mindset, an adherence to corporate protocols and advancement through meritocracy. However, a lack of emphasis on building empathetic human relations amongst co-workers can lead to too much egocentric behaviour that can dismantle a company’s growth and success. In the Western tradition, ambition is the driving force.
Of course, these are just generalised descriptions of two ends of the cultural spectrum. We understand that the world is highly integrated nowadays with an eclectic mix of cultural values. For the most part, working with others is a mental-emotional playing field. Being less reliant on the emotional dynamics with others can streamline a person’s focus to get the job done. And, an expressive, liberal nature is suited for group discussions, brainstorming, and problem-solving – where opposing opinions and criticisms are deliberated and not taken personally. Yet, individuals that care more about keeping the peace and conserving relations are more acutely aware of another’s feelings and reactions and are able to soften their approach during disagreements which helps to calm heated debates.
Epic Valley’s Optimal Blend
As a large chunk of the corporate world is rife with office politics, work-related stress and high employee turnover, it is always a pleasant surprise when businesses are able to create a happy, dedicated workforce where the concept of ‘family’ is introduced in a modern corporate setting. Anecdotally, with Tan Sri’s Chinese heritage, he has naturally instilled a dose of Eastern family values in his business life and has reaped significant benefits. Moving onto its 25th year, Epic Valley has created a tight-knit team with many long-term employees. As office culture greatly depends on the top management of a company, with Tan Sri at the helm, he has injected a sense of belonging, a moral code and trust in his team. He has built his successful business based on a unique integration of a personable, caring approach, military-minded motivation and professional business ethics. This blend of East and West can be found in Tan Sri’s various seminars, publications, GIMLAP methodology and upcoming book, ‘Lead and Grow Rich’.
What Family Values Are Beneficial to a Business?
If we look closely, family values are actually universal human values. They are based on a kind heart, a positive mindset, a proactive attitude and teamwork. While individual expression is valued, there is also a drive to come together as one to achieve common goals.
Employees, and people in general…
…want to be acknowledged, valued, trusted and appreciated.
…work better together when passionately aligned to a common cause or mission.
…thrive on a work culture that is supportive, respectful, empathetic and upholds integrity.
…need to have a clear purpose and understanding of their roles, yet space to evolve and move up the ladder.
…build better connections by spending time getting to know each other.
…are happier in a supportive environment, where empathy and compassion are shown for another’s failings or mistakes.
…feel safer and mentally healthier when they can express themselves without criticism.
Humans, regardless of the setting, need to feel safe, trusted and valued. These can be found in traditional family homes that lead with a loving, compassionate heart, but, also instil a healthy level of discipline, self-responsibility and integrity. We require a balance of understanding and expectation to be successful in this world.
Do Your Best, but Look Beyond Yourself
Tan Sri recently spoke to an audience where he explained that it is not so much the profit, but the purpose that makes a business thrive and achieve long-term success. He laid out the purpose of his company, where three levels of service are put into action:
1. His most immediate concern is his workforce. It is essential to support their well-being, provide stable employment, offer relevant advice and show employees appreciation for their hard work in building a successful business together.
2. The second level of focus is the citizens of Malaysia. Establishing his charity foundation has allowed Tan Sri to offer crucial donations, engage in worthy charitable causes, offer educational scholarships, share his business knowledge, and take part in uplifting the quality of life for the less fortunate and for the greater good of humanity.
3. Seeing the country thrive is of utmost importance to Tan Sri. With his military experience and patriotic love for Malaysia, he is engaged with the armed forces, police and other influential bodies to support them in keeping citizens safe and secure, and to build a prosperous, united and harmonious country.
Tan Sri’s triple-tiered mission of service that forms the heart of his company is indeed a rare find, where the concept of family unity is embodied and presented at all levels - of work, community and country. Such an all-inclusive approach and strong ethics attract customers and compatriots. When the company sees their staff and clients as family, they want to give them their best, and this authenticity is generally reciprocated. Yes, there must be a healthy balance of structure, procedures and formalities that has to be in place to keep the business machinery working smoothly - but having a heart-based approach will ultimately bring success and longevity. It is about looking out for each other while doing our best as individuals - because WE ARE FAMILY.
The Editor
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