Thursday, 24 April 2025

[25042025] Melepaskan Anjing Tersepit

Melepaskan Anjing yang Tersepit: Antara Nilai Kemanusiaan dan Pengajaran Kehidupan

Pernahkah kita terdengar peribahasa Melayu, "Melepaskan anjing yang tersepit, setelah lepas dia menggigit"? Ungkapan ini membawa maksud seseorang yang telah kita bantu akhirnya membalas kebaikan kita dengan keburukan. Ia bukan sekadar peribahasa kosong, tetapi satu sindiran tajam terhadap realiti hidup yang kadangkala mengecewakan.

Namun, adakah itu bermaksud kita tidak perlu membantu? Apakah nilai kemanusiaan dan ihsan harus dikorbankan hanya kerana takut dibalas dengan kejahatan?

Kisah Seekor Anjing Tersepit

Bayangkan seekor anjing yang tersepit kakinya di celah batu. Ia mengerang kesakitan, meronta-ronta, dan matanya penuh harapan meminta pertolongan. Kita sebagai manusia, walaupun tahu risiko digigit, pasti timbul juga rasa simpati. Kita cuba membantu, perlahan-lahan mengangkat batu, menenangkan haiwan itu.

Namun, sebaik sahaja bebas, anjing itu menggigit tangan kita. Sakit. Marah. Kecewa. Kenapa setelah kita menolong, ia membalas dengan menyakiti?

Dimensi Nilai dan Perspektif

Peribahasa ini sering digunakan untuk menggambarkan sikap manusia yang tidak tahu berterima kasih. Tapi jika kita renungi lebih dalam, mungkin ia juga satu peringatan: bukan semua pertolongan akan dihargai, dan bukan semua kebaikan akan dibalas dengan kebaikan.

Namun, adakah itu menghalang kita daripada terus berbuat baik?

Dunia Ini Perlukan Lebih Ramai Penyelamat

Dalam dunia yang semakin individualistik, kita memerlukan lebih ramai yang sanggup melepaskan anjing yang tersepit walaupun tahu risiko akan digigit. Kerana dunia ini bukan hanya tentang balasan, tetapi tentang keberanian untuk terus menjadi manusia – berjiwa, berperikemanusiaan, dan berhati besar.

Mungkin, dalam sesetengah kes, ‘anjing’ itu bertindak dalam ketakutan, bukan dalam niat jahat. Sama seperti manusia – kadangkala mereka membalas keburukan kerana trauma, bukan kerana mereka jahat.

Penutup: Teruslah Menjadi Baik

Ya, kita perlu berhati-hati. Ya, tidak semua yang kita bantu akan berterima kasih. Tapi jangan biarkan satu pengalaman buruk memadamkan cahaya kebaikan dalam diri kita.

Kerana pada akhirnya, kita tidak hanya dinilai berdasarkan siapa yang membalas kebaikan kita, tetapi siapa yang tetap memilih untuk berbuat baik – walaupun tidak dihargai.

Teruskan membantu. Teruskan berbuat baik. Dunia ini perlukan lebih ramai 'penyelamat anjing tersepit'.


Kalau nak ubah gaya jadi lebih santai atau sarkastik sikit, boleh juga. Nak saya buat versi tu?

Monday, 7 April 2025

[07042025] When No One Cares Enough to Correct – What Happens to Us?


Have you ever felt like giving up on advising someone? You see them going down the wrong path, doing something clearly harmful — but instead of saying anything, you hold back. You tell yourself, “It’s their life. Let them be.”

And maybe you’re not wrong.

But maybe… you’re also not entirely right.

In a world that constantly preaches “mind your own business,” it’s easy to confuse silence with respect. But sometimes, silence doesn’t come from respect. It comes from fatigue. From indifference. From the fear of rejection. And that’s dangerous — because when we no longer correct, no longer advise, no longer care — what are we becoming?

Correction is not judgment. It’s an act of love.

When we care, we correct. Not because we think we’re better, but because we want better for others. When you tell your friend to slow down when driving too fast, it’s not because you’re a traffic officer — it’s because you care about their life.

The same goes for moral and spiritual decisions. Islam teaches us that advice, reminders, and gentle correction are part of faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

> "If you feel no shame, then do as you wish."
(Hadith, Sahih Bukhari)



This isn’t a green light to act without consequences. It’s a warning. When our internal compass — our sense of modesty and shame — is gone, we’re left exposed to whatever feels good in the moment, even if it’s harmful in the long run.

So what happens when no one speaks up anymore?

We normalize the abnormal. Wrong becomes right, and right becomes weird. And before we know it, we live in a society where no one bats an eye at injustice, corruption, or immorality — because no one wants to be “that person” who says, “Hey, maybe this isn’t okay.”

But Allah, in His wisdom, tells us otherwise:

> “And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.”
(Quran 51:55)



Reminders aren’t for perfect people — they’re for believers. Imperfect, struggling, hopeful people who want to do better.

And when we disagree, feel lost, or unsure about what’s right? Allah tells us in the Quran:

> "If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger."
(Quran 4:59)



Not social media. Not public opinion. Not even our own mood.

Refer it to Allah. To the Quran. To the Prophet’s teachings.

Because that’s where the light is. That’s where the truth is. That’s where healing begins.

So what can we do?

Speak with kindness. Advice doesn’t need to be harsh to be powerful.

Care enough to correct. Even if your voice shakes.

Accept reminders. It takes strength to hear uncomfortable truths.

Return to Allah, the Quran, and the Sunnah. The answers are all there — waiting.


In a time when silence is easy, be someone who cares enough to speak. You might be the reason someone turns back to the right path. And you never know — someday, someone might do the same for you.


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#FaithInAction
#CareEnoughToCorrect
#ReturnToAllah
#QuranAndSunnah
#RemindersBenefitTheBelievers
#SpeakWithCompassion

Saturday, 5 April 2025

[05042025] If You're the Smartest Person in the Room, You're in the Wrong Room



As educators and educational leaders, we are often seen as the ones who guide, instruct, and impart knowledge to others. But one of the most crucial lessons we can learn in our professional journey is this:

Growth comes from being challenged, not from being the expert.

The phrase "If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room" carries profound significance for those of us in the field of education. It’s a reminder that continuous learning and improvement should be the cornerstones of our professional lives, and that true leadership involves constant self-reflection and development.

1. The Danger of Staying in Our Comfort Zone

In the classroom and in leadership positions, it’s easy to become comfortable with our knowledge and experience. After years of teaching, managing classrooms, or leading schools, we can easily fall into the trap of thinking we have all the answers. Being the "smartest" in the room can feel like an accomplishment, but in reality, it can lead to complacency.

When we are not challenged by others, we stop growing. The environment may seem safe, but it also becomes stagnant. If we are the ones always offering the solutions and never questioning our own methods, we miss out on opportunities for improvement. And in education, stagnation is never an option — for us or for our students.

2. The Value of Surrounding Yourself With Thought Leaders

Growth in education happens when we engage with colleagues, mentors, and peers who push our boundaries. Whether it’s through professional development, collaboration with other schools, or simply networking with educators who challenge our practices, it’s essential to be surrounded by individuals who inspire us to think differently and innovate.

When we intentionally seek out spaces where we are not the most knowledgeable, we put ourselves in environments that foster new ideas and perspectives. These spaces — whether physical or virtual — might make us feel small, but they are the very places where we will learn and grow the most.

3. Leading by Example: Lifelong Learning for Educators

As educators and school leaders, we set the tone for learning in our schools. If we are not constantly learning, adapting, and evolving, we send the message that learning is something that stops after a certain point. True leadership in education involves modeling lifelong learning.

This can take many forms: attending workshops, seeking feedback from peers, reading the latest research, or collaborating with others in the field. By putting ourselves in situations where we’re not the "smartest" person in the room, we show our students and colleagues that there is always something new to learn — no matter how experienced we are.

4. Shifting from a Need for Validation to a Commitment to Growth

For school leaders, this idea of being the "smartest" in the room can be especially tempting. After all, we are often responsible for making decisions, leading initiatives, and guiding the direction of our schools. However, true leadership isn’t about being the expert in every situation. It’s about creating a culture of collaboration and shared learning.

By stepping into rooms where we are challenged, we build a school environment where everyone is encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute. When we allow ourselves to be students again, we empower others to do the same.


Final Thoughts: Leading Through Growth

"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room" is more than just a catchy phrase — it’s a call to action for educators and school leaders to embrace growth, challenge, and continuous learning.

Are you surrounded by individuals who challenge your ideas and help you grow as a leader and educator?
Are you actively seeking out new opportunities to learn and innovate, both for yourself and your school community?

As school leaders, we must constantly ask ourselves these questions. If we aren’t feeling challenged, it might be time to seek out new rooms — new environments that inspire us to grow and become better educators and leaders.


By embracing this mindset, we not only enrich our own practices but also inspire those around us, ensuring that our schools remain dynamic, forward-thinking, and capable of meeting the ever-evolving needs of our students.

#LeadershipInEducation #ContinuousLearning #GrowthMindset #SchoolLeadership #LifelongLearning #EducationalExcellence

[05042025] The Earth Will Keep Spinning Even After We're Gone

There’s a quiet truth that many of us often overlook: the world doesn’t stop for anyone. No matter how important we think we are, no matter how busy or powerful or popular we become — one day, we’ll be gone. And the Earth will keep spinning.

The sun will rise. The rain will fall. People will laugh, cry, struggle, succeed… all without us.

It’s a humbling reminder, but not a hopeless one. In fact, it’s liberating.

Because if the world doesn’t revolve around us, then we don’t need to chase perfection, recognition, or validation from everyone. Instead, we can focus on what truly matters — doing good, living intentionally, and lifting others as we climb.


Step Up, Step Back

In every space we enter — at work, at home, in our communities — we’re given a choice:

  • To step up when our voice is needed,

  • Or to step back and let others shine.

This simple principle, often used in leadership and teamwork, helps create balance and harmony. It teaches us that it’s okay to lead, but it’s also powerful to support.
It’s not always about being the loudest in the room — sometimes, our greatest impact comes from listening, encouraging, and creating space for others.


The Legacy We Leave Behind

Since we can’t stop the world from turning, what can we do with the time we’re given?

🌱 Be kind.
🌟 Support others.
🫶 Lead when needed. Step aside when it's time.
Leave the world better than we found it.

Because long after we’re gone, people might forget our job titles or how many likes we got on social media… but they will remember how we made them feel.

In the grand journey of life, we’re just passing through. So while the Earth spins on, let’s make sure we leave footprints worth following.


"Do good quietly. Step up with courage. Step back with grace. The world keeps spinning — but the love we leave behind will last much longer."

#Reflections
#LegacyOfKindness
#StepUpStepBack
#LifeLessons
#TheEarthWillKeepSpinning

Friday, 4 April 2025

[04042025] Taking the Obvious Route vs. The Road Less Taken in HR Decision-Making (With a Twist)


In the world of Human Resources (HR), decision-making is often about finding the right balance between structure and innovation. Most HR professionals follow established procedures—proven hiring methods, traditional performance evaluations, and well-documented policies. These practices ensure stability and compliance. However, is the obvious route always the best?

What if the real game-changer in HR isn't about choosing between the conventional and the unconventional—but knowing how to blend both?

The Obvious Route in HR Decision-Making

Taking the obvious route means following best practices that have stood the test of time. It’s about:

✅ Standardized Recruitment Processes – Screening candidates based on qualifications, experience, and structured interviews.
✅ Traditional Performance Evaluations – Yearly appraisals, KPIs, and rating systems to measure employee performance.
✅ Strict Policy Enforcement – Ensuring compliance with company rules, labor laws, and disciplinary actions.

This approach works because it minimizes risks, maintains consistency, and provides a clear structure for decision-making. However, relying too much on conventional methods can sometimes limit HR’s ability to adapt to evolving workforce needs.

The Road Less Taken: A New Perspective on HR Decisions

What if HR leaders took a different approach—not by rejecting tradition but by redefining it?

🔹 Hiring for Potential, Not Just Experience – Instead of focusing solely on qualifications, HR can prioritize soft skills, adaptability, and cultural fit.
🔹 Continuous Feedback Over Annual Reviews – Real-time performance management allows employees to improve and grow more effectively.
🔹 Flexible Work Policies Over Rigid Rules – Empowering employees with remote work options, well-being programs, and personalized career development.

Taking the road less traveled in HR doesn’t mean abandoning structure—it means innovating within it.

The Twist: Knowing When to Combine Both

The best HR leaders don’t choose between the obvious route and the unconventional one—they integrate both strategically.

✔ Use data-driven hiring but balance it with human intuition.
✔ Follow company policies but allow flexibility when needed.
✔ Measure performance traditionally but encourage continuous learning.

HR decision-making isn’t about taking risks for the sake of change. It’s about knowing when to stick to best practices and when to challenge them for better outcomes.

Conclusion

In HR, the real power lies in blending structure with innovation. The obvious route provides stability, while the road less taken brings transformation. The key? Knowing when to follow the rules—and when to rewrite them for the better.

#HRLeadership #SmartDecisionMaking #PeopleFirst #InnovativeHR

[25042025] Melepaskan Anjing Tersepit

Melepaskan Anjing yang Tersepit: Antara Nilai Kemanusiaan dan Pengajaran Kehidupan Pernahkah kita terdengar peribahasa Melayu, "Melepa...