Thank You...

Just like that, I’m out.

I went out the same way I went in – unexpected.

This is not a post about why I’m no longer with the company. I’ve moved on and don’t want to look back, no matter how much I enjoyed my brief stint there. Rather, this post is to thank some people; something I didn’t get to do.

It was only when I saw them again a few days back that I realized I owe them a line or two to express how thankful I am for allowing me to lead them, a task that I truly enjoyed and will always be grateful for.  

Here goes…

To Krystlelites, my favorite ex-staff; thank you for proving me right about you. 

You may not look it, maybe because you are your daddy’s little princess, but you are a very smart girl. I knew that the moment I saw you.

But more than your intelligence, you truly have a good heart, and that’s what made you dear to me. And if there’s one thing I want you to know, I want you to know that whatever happens, so long as you keep yourself grounded, you will go places, and when that day comes, I will be watching from afar, smiling and proud.

Thank you, Krys.

To Shanghai Dream; you’re the one who understood me the most, and the best. 

Our upbringing is so similar that you always knew where I was coming from. I’ve never told you this, but among all of you, you were the most loyal lieutenant I had.

It is a trait that is sadly no longer common in the working world, and your loyalty knows no bounds and for that alone, I know we will forever be connected somehow (no homo, as you like to say lol)

You are born into the material riches many people covet, and to be able to stay grounded like how you are makes me take my hat off to you in admiration. Like your loyalty, your ability to put aside your material wealth, in exchange for your thirst to learn, already makes you a success.

It wasn’t always conspicuous but you have taught me a lot, in your own special ways, how to be a better person.

For inspiring me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To Angry Man, my natural heir to the post of Head of Marketing; 

We didn’t always look at things the same way, but for what it’s worth, you taught me to forgive even amidst betrayal.

I learned a lot about myself - and my anger - in our daily conversations, on the way to and from work. And your love for your kids made me want to join the ranks of being a family man. And for that alone, I’ll forever remember you.

You are now the catalyst to making great things happen for the company, and for the team. Lead with the determination of a bull in ensuring that the AirAsia X Brand is given its due recognition. From afar, I will cheer you and your team on.

Thank you.

To Olive Oyl, our baby in the team, and someone who could give Klaus Korper a run for his money.

There never was a day that you didn’t make me smile. In being the most true to one’s self, you reminded me so much of myself.

You call a spade a spade and for that, I know you will be where you want to be in your career. Your ability to be true to yourself also earned my admiration and respect. You don’t know how to play politics and that makes you a gem, a rarity that would help you reach your destiny.

On a more personal note, should I be still alive, I truly would love to be at your wedding. I want to know and see the man who was able to tame the shuffling, but real Olive Oyl J

For making the office a better place, for making me smile daily, and for everything else, thank you, G.

To Commie Ash, the straight-as-anyone-could-ever-be energizer (not-so) bunny;

You may not always do or say the right things, but your heart means well. It takes someone who sees that to appreciate you, and I hope I managed to do just that.

I also hope that you will be recognized and rewarded accordingly, even when I’m gone. You deserve that. I may have been the strictest with you but I’m happy that you know why I had to be.

For getting on my nerves a lot of times but also making me smile in the process, thank you.

To Yasuyo, the looney Japanese who never failed to make me laugh;

Thank you for the admiration for, and the trust in, me. You always made me feel that being a leader is not a burden, but a responsibility; and one that I thoroughly enjoyed putting on my shoulders.

I know what you are going through right now, but as krystlelites told me, in one of her minutes of philosophical inspiration, when one door closes, others open. And trust that something better, something great, will open for you soon. I believe that, and so should you.

And for you to say that I’ll always be your ‘boss’, for always making me laugh, for bringing the responsibility of defending my team in me, and for a lot of the other things you have accorded me, arigato.

And last but not the least, to Nanny Nads, the one responsible for bringing me to AirAsia X; 

I would never know how political the airline industry is first-hand had it not been for you. It is your confidence in my ability that brought me to the company, it is your trust in me that allowed me to meet and lead the aforementioned souls that touched and made a difference to my existence, and it is your soothing words that allowed me to break free, and be happy in the process, from the chains of betrayal.

Words can never express how thankful I am to you for your belief in me. I know somehow I disappointed you but in the grand scheme of things, if you look at what I did in those short 3 months, I know you are proud of what I have accomplished.

You were the only one I knew before I joined AirAsia X, and because of you, I left with knowing more, absolutely great people. For that, and for the confidence, trust and belief you have shown for me, from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you.

The AirAsia X Marketing Team: We Make Things Happen

To the peeps in the picture above, thank you :-)

Love,

IO