Having served in four overseas assignments (Myanmar, South Korea, Japan and Cambodia) and been told by many that I was an unconventional diplomat and public servant who ought to be in the private sector, I finally took the plunge to embark on a new journey in the business world. There have been a few learning points and principles that have helped me stay on course along the way, and which roughly define who I am or wish to be; I hope to continue to build on them on this new adventure that I am taking:- The Power of Aggregation opens more doors and unlocks more opportunities than working alone or in isolation... so why do so many organizations, institutions and corporations continue down the latter path?- Always Challenge the Status Quo: Just because something has been done in a particular manner does not make it right; your way is not always the best or only way even if it has worked before- Some of the best ideas are in its simplicity, not in how sophisticated it must sound- Managing human resource is about being firm, fair and principled, and not about being nice or concerned about what others might say behind your back; the latter is acting out of narrow self-interest, the former is serving the organizational / collective good- Don’t agree with others just to feel you belong or to solicit favorable opinion of yourself, that’s pandering and a weakness of character. Don’t disagree with others just to show you are independent or a contrarian, that’s being argumentative and an obstructionist. Agree or disagree on your own conviction, that is being sensible and true to yourself