In the heart of every great organisation is a leader whose dedication and unwavering commitment breathe life into its very essence. For 25 remarkable years, QNET CEO Malou Caluza has been an integral part of the QNET family, guiding us through triumphs and challenges alike with her steadfast leadership and boundless passion. From being a junior customer service officer in 1999, who went beyond the call of duty to do whatever job was required around the office, including playing the role of a receptionist, to being crowned the first-ever female CEO of this multinational direct selling company, and finally Deputy Chairperson, Malou’s dedication has been the cornerstone of our growth and success. And so, it is with both pride and a tinge of sadness that we bid farewell to her upon the announcement of her retirement from full-time corporate life.
As she closes this chapter of her journey, Malou shares with us the 25 lessons she has learnt at QNET during her journey. With a quarter of a century as a feather in her cap, she reminisces about the past two and a half decades, the friends and family she made along the way, the physical and metaphorical journeys she went on, and most importantly, the lessons she’s learnt at QNET.
Factoid: Malou Caluza celebrates her work anniversary on 12 March, the day her life changed forever.
We’ve listed the lessons she’s learnt at QNET for you here, in her own words. Let us know your favourites.
As I bid goodbye to my time in QNET, I’d like to reflect on the past 25 years by sharing these 25 important things that I’ve learned from the Founders, Directors, our IRs, and our corporate family. I learnt that:
1. Everyone is born with a purpose. I found mine and understood it well in QNET.
2. You need to find people who will believe in you and will not give up on you. Dato’ Sri Vijay Eswaran and Joseph ‘Japadas’ Bismark did that for me. They believed in me more than I believed in myself.
3. Glass ceilings are there to not only be reached but also broken through. QNET has given and continues to give me amazing opportunities, even when I’ve thought I’ve done everything there is to do.
4. All dreams are valid, and we must continue having them. I’ve never in my life thought that I could be where I am today if not for the learnings, the continuous discipline, love, support and motivation that I get by working here.
5. Fear is nothing. Once you’ve learned and realised that you have everything in you to achieve anything and everything you set your mind and heart to, fear is powerless.
6. No matter how bad you think the person or the situation is, there is always good in everyone and everything if you look for it.
7. Unlearning is just as equally critical to learning as the act of learning itself is. We cannot truly learn if we do not know how to unlearn. Also, remember that we can learn from anyone and anything, including from a piece of rock.
8. Emptying our cups must be a daily practice. What we don’t know, we don’t know.
9. You really need to make some time for quiet and silent moments so you can think clearly, evaluate yourself and plan ahead. This is very important.
10. We only have today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and so we must have a sense of urgency in all the things that we do.
11. It’s only when we love what we do that we accept and appreciate both the success and the challenges that come with it. Make your work your passion.
12. Yes, life is full of challenges, but that’s what makes it more exciting. You will never be bored.
13. You will have moments of disbelief, demotivation, complacency, and dissatisfaction. That is completely okay. What truly matters is your ability to pick yourself up again from it.
14. Working in QNET has allowed me to see so many places and meet so many people that changed my life for the better.
15. No matter how far we have become as a company, at QNET, we don’t ever forget where we came from and how we got here.
16. Gratitude and humility are essential to our everyday life and work.
17. You have family all over the world. When I had to take a step back from working because of my cancer diagnosis, the amount of love, support and prayers I received was something I will never forget and will always be grateful for.
18. We could only raise and help others once we raised and helped ourselves first. RYTHM – what a powerful mission that has changed my life and many lives inside and outside QNET.
19. Being in service to others gives you the best life fulfilment and contentment ever.
20. Every day is a new day, a new chance to be better than yesterday. It is okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
21. Working here has given me not only material blessings that have helped my family, myself, and many others, but I have also acquired another family that I will forever love and cherish.
22. At QNET, we firmly believe that companies don’t succeed; people do. Our success story is written by the unwavering dedication and passion of our outstanding team. Our people’s commitment and loyalty have been the driving force behind our achievements.
23. Leaders are at the heart of how people feel about delivering on their company’s purpose and being our ambassadors while selling to our customers. It is leaders who shape a company’s culture, cascade it across teams and motivate them to be their best versions.
24. In this bustling life, it’s crucial to pause, immerse ourselves in the present, and cherish the small wonders evident all around us. That is the power of simplicity in bringing out the deepest sense of gratitude.
25. Even as you get older, always remember to reach out, connect with, and allow yourselves to be inspired by children and the youth. Through them, you will be reminded of the limitless potential that resides within every one of us.
For these 25 lessons learnt at QNET and so many more, I am truly blessed and grateful. 🙏
Malou leaves behind an indelible legacy as QNET’s culture ambassador. Her relentless mission to imbue our Founders’ vision and values into the very fabric of our organisation speaks volumes about her love for this family. We could not be prouder to know her, love her, and have had her as our leader.
As Malou takes this well-deserved step towards cherishing more moments with her family, we find solace in the knowledge that her presence will continue to grace us, albeit in a different capacity. As our Deputy Chairperson and through significant events like the V-Convention, Malou’s wisdom will continue to serve as a guiding light.
These poignant lessons she shared are just a part of what makes her so special, and with them, we have been given a lot to think about. These lessons extend to not only our professional lives as direct sellers and entrepreneurs but are also important to carry through to our personal lives. Let us carry forward the torch she has passed to us, honouring her legacy by continuing to embody the principles and passion she has instilled in our QNET family.
Which of these lessons learnt at QNET resonates with you the most? What are your top 3 lessons that you’d gladly share with your friends and QNET family? Have you learnt any of these yourselves in your journey as a direct seller? Are there any lessons you’d love to share with us and your downlines? Leave us a comment and let us know. We’re waiting to hear from you.
This article was originally published on 18 March 2020 and has been updated in honour of Ms Malou Caluza's 25th anniversary and retirement announcement.
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