The Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge: Global Finals 2018

The 3 lessons I learned in this 10-day competition held in Malaysia

Joaqui Palaña
Sep 3, 2018 · 6 min read
Day 0. Touchdown, KL!

It’s been a few weeks since MGAC ended, and I still can’t get over it.

Because I haven’t posted anything in social media recently, people were surprised to know that I have come back already. So for those who have been asking how those 10 days in Malaysia were like, here’s my story.

The MGAC Global Finals will definitely be counted as one of the craziest adventures I have ever experienced. Everyday spent in Malaysia was like a roller coaster ride. With none of us knowing what would happen next, we were always on our toes, even when we were sleeping!

This was probably taken at around 3am, as we were crafting our case, which was due at 5am.

One of the interesting things about my experience in the Global Finals is that much of the lessons I have learned there were not totally new. Instead, they were lessons that many people tend to forget or ignore. This reinforcement will surely serve me well in the future as I venture into the workforce next year.

Here are my 3 most important lessons:

Joaqui in action — giving an impromptu speech to the rest of the participants.

1. You don’t need that much sleep to function well.

Those 10 days have perhaps been the most intense 10 days ever. I have probably averaged about 3 hours of sleep, with a few days having only an hour of slumber. Never before have I done that, until MGAC. Most (if not all) of us, then, kept trying to steal some sleep by napping during the breaks between challenges. It was crazy. Despite inadequate sleep, I must say that I still managed to be sharp, energetic, and alert. It was surprising to know that this was actually possible for me, given that I’m the type who always wants to get sufficient sleep. This competition, in a way, ‘unlocked’ my potential. Perhaps the pressure of the competition was enough to keep me going. And so, I have come to realize that with the right amount of pressure, anyone can achieve great things. Pressure is indeed the law of progress. The trick now is to keep seeking and applying that ‘pressure’ to keep you working at your optimum everyday. Nevertheless, it is still important to get good sleep when you can!

Game time.

2. Teamwork makes the dream work.

My role throughout the competition was to lead a team of 5 in managing a fictional mobile gaming company called Nanimatics Mobile. Because I had experience leading teams before, I thought it would not be so difficult leading this new team in the competition. However, I was wrong. Every team is different, just as every person is, too. Despite having experienced leading different types of teams previously in Manila, leading a new team will always be a challenge for any leader. Alas, in such a short time frame, I had to navigate through everybody’s diverseness and build team chemistry.

Admittedly, it appeared more challenging as I was grouped with people I had just met and who came from various academic backgrounds, different countries, and diverse cultures. Before we could even create team chemistry, we were already bombarded with challenge-after-challenge. Thus, our discussions during the first few cases were quite rocky as we were all still figuring out the team dynamics. Nevertheless, things worked out for us in the end. Although we did not place in the competition, we were happy because we knew we all gave our very best. Besides, our goal as a team was to have fun, build friendships, and learn a lot in this competition. Of course, winning would be great, but it would just be a bonus. Because I managed to hit all those 3 primary goals, I still feel like a winner! In the end, our teamwork STILL made the dream work!

Team Nanimatics, led by their CEO, yours truly.

3. Professionalism is a must at all times.

As previously mentioned, the MGAC was a thriller. Everyday, we would have no idea what the next challenge or activity would be. We did not know if we would be getting a full night’s sleep or another all-nighter; if we would be making a road trip to the province or staying in Kuala Lumpur; or running around the city in formal attire; or sitting down and tackling the next business case. They really pushed us to our physical, mental, and ethical limits. Once you reach those limits, you and the people around you see your true character. Will you complain, rant, and be frustrated? Or will you just continue to work, even if you are already so exhausted? I found myself complaining at some point in the competition, until I realized that this was one of the things that the MGAC tests us in. We were told that if there was one thing to be learned from MGAC, it would be this.

Professionalism: the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person

What exactly does it mean to be ‘professional’? It could mean many things, including dressing appropriately or showing up on time. But it could also mean smiling when you are exasperated and keeping a positive attitude despite your frustration.

Professionalism is a must at all times, especially when your client or boss is demanding unreasonable work from you. Moreover, I believe the values of professionalism must be practiced not only at work, but at home as well with your family, and even with your friends. Upon reflection, I did not only learn what I was actually capable of doing and achieving. I also learned how I reacted when faced with lots of pressure, and how I should improve when similar situations arise again.

Smile for the camera!

CONCLUSION

I can only say so much about the event without spoiling it for next year’s batch. Nevertheless, I will never forget this 10-day competition. Not only did I learn new things, I also had a blast! Some of our activities included going to one of Malaysia’s most popular theme parks, mimicking Masterchef, playing water sports, cleaning mangroves for CSR, and spending a few nights at a fancy hotel!

That is me, pitching our signature lamb dish, Épaule d’Agneau, to the judges, which ended up winning the cooking challenge.

I absolutely recommend everyone to join the MGAC, especially since it does not discriminate anyone. This year’s global finalists had students from engineering, business, finance, humanities, law, and a few other disciplines. Watch out for this exciting competition next year, guys!

Team Philippines, taken during the Gala Dinner, MGAC’s closing ceremonies.

P.S. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this article down below. I’d love to have a conversation.

Let’s talk. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Joaqui Palaña

Written by

Student Leader. Startup Advocate. Blockchain Enthusiast. - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaquipalana/

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