Kota Kinabalu: The Women at Work (W@W) Leadership Masterclass 2.0: Give to Gain is returning to provide professional development for women in conjunction with International Women’s Day.
Organizing Chairperson Marianne Kiob said workplace confidence is a skill that can be taught, practiced and reinforced, but structured leadership development opportunities remain limited for women.
“The skills are there, but the structured space to recognize, develop, and project them with confidence is often missing,” Kiob said at a press conference Tuesday.
She added that many women doubt themselves not because of lack of ability but because they have never fully understood their strengths. The programme aims to help participants gain clarity, a stronger voice, and confidence to lead.
The three-day course will feature six interconnected modules facilitated by accredited practitioners, including Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Leonard Personality Inventory (LPI), Managing Inner and Outer Critic, Walk and Talk with Confidence, and Colour Confidence Workshop, ending with a professional portrait photoshoot.
Kiob said the EQ and LPI modules, globally recognized personality assessment frameworks, help participants understand their communication styles, behavioural patterns and relationship strengths. This foundational knowledge, she said, is critical for effective leadership.
“The EQ programme teaches participants to manage their own emotions and navigate those of others, a defining capability of effective leaders,” Kiob said, adding it is especially valuable for women balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Datuk Eliza Goh, founder of Zara’s Boutique Hotel and co-organizer, urged women across industries to join, emphasizing the programme’s small group format allows for personalized attention and higher impact.
Goh highlighted that employers also benefit, citing an example of an employee who attended the course and emerged as a leader within her organization. She said such training equips women with skills to excel professionally while inspiring others.
She encouraged women in both private and government sectors to seize the opportunity, warning that organizations risk losing out if they do not support staff participation in the programme.
