Author: Shirley Teo

The art of storytelling: Where authenticity meets imagination

Stories are the way we make sense of the world. – Bernadette Jiwa As I soared above the South China Sea, heading to my three-day adventure in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, I couldn’t help but reflect on my love for Borneo. This captivating corner of the world had always intrigued me,

Hi Kuching, I’m Back!

You have to taste a culture to understand it. – Deborah Cater Allow me to take a break from sharing my experiences on communication and branding, at least for this column, because I have interesting discoveries to share. Little did I expect that my recent return to Kuching would become

Crafting your personal branding: Why it matters 

The best way to predict the future is to create it – Peter Drucker Over the past six months, I’ve been sharing branding and communication tips, covering everything from personal interactions to workplace dynamics. If you’ve been following my insights, I hope you’ve found them valuable. If not, feel free

Understanding love languages in relationships

The deepest cravings of human nature is the need to be appreciated. – William James I returned home, and to my delight, the house was immaculately clean and tidy. “Wow,” I exclaimed aloud, my heart brimming with joy. It had been a while since my home felt this pristine, and

Make a Good First Impression: The Power of Visual and Vocal Image

One’s eyes are what one is, one’s mouth is what one becomes. – John Galsworthy This time, my writing experience diverged from the usual. Instead of sitting on my favorite couch at home, I found myself in a beautiful country that inspires me in countless ways. Although it was a

Sarawak: Where Culinary Wonders, Cross-Cultural Connections Unite

The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of the people Kuching, a city that had never graced my travel bucket list, unexpectedly captured my attention during my first visit. It began with an invitation to a friend’s wedding just before the pandemic hit us. And that initial experience

Enhancing Communication in Family Planning

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues … are created, strengthened and maintained. – Winston Churchill Last Sunday marked Mother’s Day, a day when we honour our mums for their superhero-like qualities. Simultaneously, it is a day when many

Mastering the Art of Office Politics

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. – Henry Ford Listen, office politics, whether we embrace it or cringe at its mention — permeates every workplace. Regardless of our personal feelings, one thing remains certain: we are all part of it. Office politics exists,

Navigating the Linguistic Labyrinth

“To bring relevance to people, you have to be able to speak their language effectively.” Sunday Adelaja, founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations “XIAO Jie” is a seemingly innocuous phrase that holds the power to unlock doors to service and