What an incredible honour it was to emcee and moderate the TechAI Workshop & Networking Session, sponsored by e2i, Employment & Employability Institute and Jalan Besar GRC, featuring esteemed panelists like Minister Josephine Teo , MOS Heng Chee How, Caryn Lim (CEO, e2i), Maxim Tint, and Samuele Saini. The energy in the room was electric, with lively discussions on AI’s transformative potential and how it is going to affect the jobs markets for grassroots leaders and the public.
But here’s the truth—I was never “naturally good” at this
When I started my career as a programmer in 1997, the thought of public speaking terrified me. Yet, life has a way of pushing us beyond our comfort zones—whether as a Chief Enterprise Architect with National University of Singapore (where I had to market tech to business leaders), a Head of Programme with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) & Director of Studies with Residential College 4 (RC4), a Chief Information & Learning Officer with Monde Nissin Corporation, or now as CEO of Coddiwompling and Associate Professor at Singapore Institute of Technology.
Each role demanded skills I didn’t initially have. But I never said no — because growth happens outside the familiar.
“You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?” — Rumi
This quote reminds me that potential is unlocked only when we dare to try. Every stumble, every awkward moment, every “imposter syndrome” pang was a step toward mastery.
Who would have thought that one day I will be moderating a panel that consisting of Ministers and CEOs. Perhaps my biggest bragging right is that I once moderated a panel session on post-budget discussion with grassroot leaders for the South West Community Development Council with our current Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as one of the panelists.
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s one thing outside your comfort zone you’ve tackled recently?
👉 What did you learn about yourself in the process?
Let’s inspire each other to keep stretching, growing, and soaring. 🚀
GrowthMindset EmbraceTheJourney PublicSpeaking TechLeadership LifelongLearning
P.S. Want to know more about my unconventional career path? Let’s connect! www.linkedin.com/in/jensongohcl| https://lnkd.in/gfuJytY3