UCSI University’s Faculty CEO Series featuring Bursa Malaysia CEO Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed in a dialogue session on leadership, market dynamics and decision-making with students.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia CEO Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed shared his approach to navigating high-stakes decisions with UCSI students at the University’s Faculty CEO Series.

A self-described consensus-driven leader, Fad’l said he values diverse viewpoints but noted that decision-makers do not always have the luxury of consulting everyone.

Instead, he relies on three key elements: data, experience and instinct.

“Data gives you the ability to assess. It gives you a higher probability of getting it right,” he said.

“Experience is an important factor, because it tells you what you’ve gone through and what you’ve seen happen when you make a certain call.

“Use a little bit of instinct because sometimes you’re going into hazy, uncharted territories and you have to make that call.”

He summarised this balance as “30% data, 30% experience and 40% instinct”, stressing that leaders must ultimately take full responsibility for their decisions.

“At the end of the day, the buck stops with you. Whatever call you make, you're going to be accountable and responsible for that call.”

Fad’l also emphasised the importance of strategic focus, noting that leaders should spend more than half of their time on strategy.

To stay ahead, he maintains a disciplined routine of tracking global market developments.

“I spend a good 30 minutes in the morning - understanding what happened the night before.

What happened in the US from a market perspective? What happened from a news perspective? Are there any policy changes that would impact the market in Kuala Lumpur today?” he said.

He reminded students that global events are closely interconnected, with macroeconomic conditions, geopolitics and policy shifts abroad directly influencing local markets.

“What happens in the Strait of Hormuz will also have an impact on the price of goods and services that we all buy or use every day.”

Looking ahead, Fad’l highlighted artificial intelligence as the next major technological wave, following the computer and mobile eras.

“AI is here to stay. And I think it's important that we learn to embrace it,” he said, encouraging students to build capabilities that will give them an edge in the workforce.

The UCSI Faculty CEO Series brings academic perspectives and industry leadership into closer dialogue, giving students direct exposure to leaders shaping markets, organisations and public policy.

Previous speakers include Malaysia Aviation Group former managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail and Capital A CEO and AirAsia co-founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

UCSI University is ranked in Asia’s top 30 and eighth in Southeast Asia in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026.

The University is classified in the world’s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings for five consecutive years, placing 282nd in the 2027 edition.