About the Authors:-
Kausern Hieu the Founder and Managing Director of Building Better Leaders. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of a leading influencer and content marketing company in Malaysia, where he led the organisation for over eight years.
With more than 20 years of experience leading young professionals in the marketing and advertising industries Kausern believes the fastest way to make a meaningful impact on young people in the workplace is through intentional leadership and human connection.
Kausern’s Ikigai is: Always try to leave people feeling better than when you first met them, because people will forget what you said or did—but they will never forget how you made them feel.
He is an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer and an International Coach Federation (ICF) Accredited Coach. A movie buff at heart, Kausern often uses scenes from films in his training and coaching sessions to spark insight and inspiration.
Tang Seok Hian is the founder of IKIGAI Consultancy Services Pte Ltd which specialises in organisation development, leadership training, and coaching.
Drawing on more than 25 years of HR and leadership experience, she has taken on various roles ranging from generalist, business partner, regional role, coach, trainer, and consultant. She now works closely with co-founders, business owners, and young leaders to help them scale their leadership and build effective teams. Seok Hian’s Ikigai is to help people become better versions of themselves.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:-
“Most leadership books give advice from the mountaintop—this one starts at the messy base camp. Leadership Is Not Automatic takes the form of a fable, but don’t let that fool you. It’s packed with the emotional landmines, quiet doubts, and invisible weight that come with stepping into your first leadership role. It surfaces the real challenges new managers face but rarely talk about: the fear of giving tough feedback, the guilt of choosing performance over personal relationships, and the pressure of managing up to a boss who doesn’t think like you. It doesn’t pretend to have all the answers—but it gives readers something better: language, structure, and clarity to lead with intention. If you’re mentoring someone stepping into a leadership role, give them this book. If
you’re the one stepping up, read it before you make your next big call.” — Timothy Tiah Co-founder of Colony and Award-Winning Entrepreneur
“What makes this book a must-read for today’s leaders is the richness of its coaching conversations. It’s not just insightful—it’s a practical, empowering guide through the tough, messy situations every leader faces. In a world where people choose who they follow, I’ve seen many leaders operate on default—not from bad intent, but simply because they haven’t been shown another way. This book is a timely invitation to shift from default to intentional leadership, and to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose.”
— Janet Lee CEO and Culture Consultant
Ninety Five Percent, an award-winning corporate culture consultancy “This book gives voice to the internal dialogue every new leader experiences—but few talk about. Through the protagonist’s missteps, blind spots, and breakthroughs, we’re invited to reflect on the subtle but critical moments when leadership is either strengthened or undermined—not by big strategies, but by small, everyday choices. What’s especially valuable is how each coaching conversation unlocks a new layer of understanding. These aren’t formulaic sessions—they’re rich with tension and transformation. Not just the ‘what’ and ‘how’, but the ‘why’ behind our actions. That’s what makes this book a must-have for young leaders: It doesn’t give you answers, but it helps you ask yourself better questions.” — Peilin Lee Head of Marketing and Coach
“This book tackles leadership at its core, showcasing the story of Sam. Sam’s progression from self-discovery and awareness to empathy—managing both upwards and downwards— illustrates a narrative that is highly relatable to those in the workforce. Reading this book speaks to the honest truth that there is no single universal answer to an ‘ideal’, given that organisations and circumstances are different. Rather, leadership is a choice and muscle that needs to consciously be reinforced and developed. Everyone’s story and path is unique in their own way. But what is certain is that professional coaching can only make you stronger and better if you are willing to truly embrace it.” — Andrew Lim CFO of Gushcloud International
“This book is accessible and deeply practical. In today’s day and age, individuals are thrust into many situations in office and outside office, and leaders are not just those with high positions. This book shows that a leader can be made through practical steps and support. This book is for everyone regardless of whether you hold a leadership title today.” — Eileen Ooi APAC CEO of PHD Media
