Kuala Lumpur - Innovation, branding and leadership are the three vital traits which need to 
come together for the country to face the ever increasing competitive world, says Prime 
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"For me, the three themes of innovation, branding and leadership encapsulate the demands on 
Malaysia and every developing country that aspires to be successful in these challenging times.

"The three concepts touch upon the fundamental questions of national advantage, namely what we 
do, how we are perceived and how consistent we are in reaching our goals," he said in his keynote
address at the opening of the two-day Global Leadership Forum here Tuesday.

The event was organised by the Foundation for the Future, an international think-tank, and the 
Perdana Leadership Foundation.

Abdullah said the importance of innovation had often been emphasised, especially for nations 
moving from labour intensive activities to knowledge intensive activities.

However without international recognition and trust, product of any kind of innovation would be 
limited in demand, he said.

Abdullah said: "Of course neither innovation nor branding would come about without the leadership
to provide the vision as well as momentum.

"Leadership puts a sense of mission behind innovation and sustains the integrity of any brand.
That is true for any company and for any country," he said.

The Prime Minister said being a leader in a country like Malaysia was extremely difficult and 
challenging, but it was also fascinating and tremendously rewarding at the same time.

He pointed out that the world today had become much more challenging and that the requirement 
for survival and prosperity was innovation.

He said for many nations like Malaysia, the challenge was in moving up the value chain and making
the transition to a high value added economy, one which was based on the intellectual capacity 
of highly educated and capable people.

"At the heart of innovation is human creativity. Human capital is the only source of innovation 
and of a country's long term advantage," he said.

Abdullah said the question of innovation went beyond education as it involved values, attitudes, 
mindset and culture.

"The fear of failure, of trying out new things, is a cultural issue. This fear inhibits 
innovation at all levels, in the classroom, in the workplace, in universities and in government 
agencies.

"Part of my mission is to gradually nurture a climate which diminishes fear of failure or fear 
of criticism and which supports creative thinking.

"I want a climate where people with new ideas can be heard and where good ideas can receive the 
necessary resources for further development," he said.

Abdullah also wanted all elements of the national innovation system nurtured and strengthened 
where innovation would became a way of life.

On branding, the Prime Minister said there was a growing realisation on the countries that brands
could be extremely useful in providing certainty and assurance to the global market.

He said brands could also be extremely useful in providing a lens through which the international
community could understand a country, and like innovation, brands were a source of growth and 
value.

"However, this is only true as long as the country really embodies the brand that is espoused. 
If the way things are done is at odds with the brand as it is being touted, the brand will be 
significantly devalued," said Prime Minister.

Malaysia, Abdullah said needed to get both the external and internal dimensions of branding 
right where externally the country must be known for the values it truly upheld such as love for
peace, stability as well as moderation and progress.

Internally, the nation should undertake the hard work required to truly live up to the aspiration
of being branded as a developed nation, said Abdullah.

On leadership, he said, while a leader must aspire his or her people to work with him or her, 
the leader should also understand the human condition, the inherent frailties and preconceptions
in his or her people.

In the face of this, Abdullah said, developing desired behaviours which are aligned to the 
aspired brand, becomes a monumental endeavour, which" can and must be done."

"Leaders are ultimately both steward and servant of their organisations, be it a company or a 
country and this means that it is their fundamental duty to develop the people, the culture and 
the reputation of their institution. As steward and servant, they must perform and be accountable
for results.

"As steward and servant, they must exhibit and encourage the highest store of values of honesty,
integrity, justice, fairness and equity. As steward and servant, they must leave their 
institution a better place as a result of their leadership," he added.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=1539631