Everyday Hero: A Life Lesson in Leadership Learned from My Mom

When we talk about leadership, we often think of the high-powered figures in the business world, like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Jack Ma. They possess extraordinary talent and drive, leading their companies to great heights. However, in my view, leadership isn't exclusive to those at the top of the pyramid. True leadership exists in everyday life, embodied by anyone striving for their dreams and contributing to others. And for me, my mother exemplifies the essence of leadership.

Growing up in 1960s China, a period marked by social and political unrest, my mother lacked access to formal education. Despite this, she maintained a lifelong thirst for knowledge, inspiring me to push myself academically. Ten years ago, at the age of 60, fueled by this intellectual curiosity and a yearning for the wider world, she embarked on her journey to learn English. With no formal education to rely on, learning English in her 60s was an undeniably daunting task for my mother. Yet, she didn't back down. Starting with the alphabet, she meticulously built her skills, day in and day out, relentlessly memorizing basic words and sentences. Initially, the process proved immensely challenging. Forgetting words and struggling with pronunciation often left her feeling discouraged. But she never gave up, practicing over and over until mastery was achieved.

Years of dedicated effort allowed my mother to finally hold simple conversations in English, express herself clearly, and even engage in short dialogues with foreigners. In her English class, her fellow students were mostly young adults in their twenties and thirties. Their motivations for learning English varied: some for work, others for career advancement, and a few for studying abroad. However, as the course progressed, many lost interest and dropped out. In stark contrast, my mother's enthusiasm remained unwavering. Rain or shine, she dedicated for hours daily to her studies. With hard work and perseverance, her English skills flourished, making her the top student in the class, much to the teacher's delight.

Beyond the classroom, my mother's passion for learning and her willingness to help others extended into her travels. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about the world, my mother, at the age of 65, began joining group tours around the globe, a feat uncommon for Chinese seniors. From South Pacific islands to the vast expanse of the Arizona Grand Canyon, from the Namib Desert in Africa to the Caucasus Mountains in east Eroupe, she actively engaged in conversations with locals, her English improving with each interaction. Often the only one in the group with English proficiency, she generously assisted her fellow travelers with translations, earning their admiration. Her language skills, coupled with her helpful spirit, made her a magnet for travel companions, attracting many who wanted to join her adventures. No one who traveled with her could deny her leadership on the tours.

My mother's story is a constant reminder that leadership and learning are lifelong pursuits. She has profoundly influenced me, especially when facing challenges and setbacks in my own life. Just like her, I lacked a formal background in data science. Yet, inspired by her dedication, I embarked on a Postgraduate Diploma program in Data Analytics, devouring knowledge with the same hunger she displayed in her English studies. Similarly, despite not having a coding background, I diligently began learning Python and continue to hone my skills, leveraging its power alongside ChatGPT to tackle complex problems at work.

Fueled by my mother's spirit of helping others and knowledge sharing, I identified a gap in my colleagues' understanding of prompt engineering, a crucial skillset in the age of Generative AI (GenAI). This passion for knowledge transfer led me to develop and launch a course on the topic for my colleagues at Porsche Holding in China. The course garnered overwhelming positive feedback, achieving a record-breaking attendance rate. My colleagues particularly appreciated the clear explanations and practical exercises I incorporated.

This initiative not only empowered my colleagues but also established me as a leader in lifelong learning and GenAI application within the company. My expertise, combined with my willingness to share knowledge has fostered trust and influence among my peers.

My mother's journey embodies the very essence of leadership, one that is cultivated through:

Lifelong learning: A constant thirst for knowledge, actively acquiring new skills and expanding one's abilities.

Perseverance: The unwavering commitment to overcome challenges and relentlessly pursue goals.

Positive attitude: Maintaining an optimistic outlook that inspires and motivates others.

Helping hand: The willingness to assist others and share knowledge and experiences.

These are the qualities that not only empower individuals but also foster influence and inspire others. Her story is a testament to the fact that anyone can become a leader, regardless of age or background, as long as they possess the drive to learn and the desire to help others.