“I never expected to become a part of the Malaysian rail industry”: YTL Construction’s Natasha Zulkifli on Women in Rail Malaysia and the discipline of leadership

Where many would have passively decried the lack of female representation in the rail sector, Natasha leads by example and understands the importance of lifting others up while rising in the ranks, be it in corporate life or in the local community.

“I see more confidence amongst women these days—confidence in their expertise, knowledge and ability. It’s encouraging and inspiring. I’m proud to see women in the workplace stand toe to toe with their male colleagues.” 

Natasha’s own stalwart and fiercely independent nature makes naturally puts her at odds with the idea of glass ceilings and other invisible barriers that hinder women’s progress at work. The challenge, she believes, isn't about finding voice, but about creating systems that genuinely value diverse perspectives and approaches to technical problem-solving.

“I have this gift that I very rarely remember the bad,” she admits candidly. “I turn any challenge into an opportunity, and I only remember the good that comes out of everything.” 

See also: Banned but not beaten: Pita Limjaroenrat is building a new generation of leaders from Harvard

Natasha’s daily discipline offers insights into how personal practices become professional capabilities.

Her morning routine—planking for five to eight minutes followed by yoga—is a lifestyle yes, but also an embodiment of a philosophical approach to leadership development.

“I love planking—my current P.B. is 8 minutes and my average plank time these days is 5-6 minutes. I have realised that physical strength gives birth to mental strength. And as a leader, you need tremendous mental strength to be able to have the good energy to lead a team every single day.”

So, does authentic leadership require that much holistic preparation? Does the strength to navigate complex technical challenges and organisational dynamics come from consistent personal practices that build resilience? Natasha clearly believes and lives this principle in her daily life.

“If you are disciplined in your personal life, you will inevitably run a well-organised and more efficient workplace as well.” 

One thing is clear, as the world changes rapidly, so are the mechanics of modern leadership—the best leaders today are arguably those who excel at more than just technical skills in their area of specialisation.  

“They need to be more than just good at the technical aspects of their job,” Natasha says. “I get so frustrated when I see amazing talent leaving a company because leaders are oblivious to the fact that they need to inculcate the right culture within their respective teams in order to extract the very best from their staff.”

In technical industries where expertise often determines advancement, Natasha’s emphasis on emotional intelligence and cultural development challenges prevailing assumptions about leadership capability.

“EQ (emotional quotient) will make or break a company. At the heart of that is the culture within the team and across the company as a whole. Get that right, you’ll fly. Get it wrong, then it’s Game Over,” she says. 

Conjuring memories of alighting the tube train and hearing all different languages spoken in an electric atmosphere, Natasha recalls the thrill and excitement of her university days, reviving some of those familiar feelings of optimism and ambition whenever she returns to the city.       

“I am always reminded that my career is limitless and truly mine to chart and grow.” she says, a beautiful example of leadership that looks hopefully even in life’s unexpected moments while enduring the inevitably challenging aspects along the way.

“If I were to explain to my younger self what I am doing today it would be this: You will grow up to live in a world you never imagined, blessed with opportunities to fly and soar really high and success will be yours as long as you are courageous and unafraid to be different.”

Front & Female Changemakers celebrates the extraordinary journeys of inspiring women who have emerged as powerful changemakers in a range of fields, offering a glimpse into their lives and showcasing their courage, vision and relentless pursuit of change and progress. From social entrepreneurs and business leaders to educators, artists, activists and scientists, Front & Female changemakers exemplify the ability to challenge the status quo and demonstrate the power of women to effect change.

NOW READ

L’Oréal Paris x KLFW REDManifesto Runway is a heart-racing celebration of beauty, style and womanhood

Asia’s digital banks are disrupting what it means to democratise wealth

Banned but not beaten: Pita Limjaroenrat is building a new generation of leaders from Harvard