Personal & Professional Journey 

How did becoming a father change your perspective on work and life? 

Suresh: Becoming a father made me realize that work is just one part of life, not the whole of it. It also gave me a greater sense of purpose. Everything I do now has a deeper meaning because I want to set an example for my kids. 

Meng Keat: Becoming a father shifted my perspective completely. Life is no longer just about career milestones. I’ve learned to value time, relationships, and balance much more than before. 

Andy:  Becoming a father was a transformative experience that significantly shifted both my perspective on work and life. Priorities changed almost overnight. While career achievements remain important, the responsibility of raising a child made me realize that the time I spent with family and loved ones was irreplaceable. 

How do you define success, both as a father and as a professional? 

Suresh: Success as a father is raising kind and confident kids. Professionally, success is making a positive impact while staying true to my values. If I can go home at the end of the day knowing I did right by my family and my team, that’s a success. 

Meng Keat: As a father, success is being someone my child can rely on and look up to. As a professional, it’s about continuous learning, contributing meaningfully to the team, and maintaining integrity in my work. Success means finding alignment between the two, where my growth at work supports my role at home. 

Andy: As a father, success is defined by the relationships I build with my children, the lessons I impart, and the example I set for them. It’s not about perfection, but about being present, supportive, and actively involved in their lives. 

How has your role as a father influenced your leadership style or teamwork at work? 

Suresh: Fatherhood taught me to lead with empathy and patience. I’ve learned the value of encouragement and the importance of listening. 

Meng Keat: Fatherhood has made me more understanding. I’m more aware that everyone has something they’re juggling beyond work. It’s helped me become a better teammate — more patient, more supportive, and more focused on long-term collaboration. 

Andy:  Becoming a father has deeply influenced the way I lead and collaborate at work. Parenthood has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of being fully present—qualities that are essential in any team environment. 

Work-Life Balance and Challenges

What are the biggest challenges you face balancing your career and fatherhood?

Suresh: As a father, I try to do my level best to fulfill my family and kid’s needs, in order to maintain that work with integrity and happiness in whatever I do. 

Meng Keat: The biggest challenge is distance. Working in Singapore while my son is in Malaysia with his grandmother means I must make every visit count. I travel back 2–3 times a month, and it’s emotionally tough not being there for every moment. But it also makes the time we have together even more precious. 

Andy: One of the hardest things is dealing with the guilt—when I’m at work, I worry I’m missing milestones at home; when I’m home, I wonder if I’m letting my team down.” 

How do you manage your time and priorities between work and family? 

Suresh: Because I am working shifts, I plan in advance according to my changing schedule to ensure that I have enough time to spend with family. 

Meng Keat: It takes careful planning and a lot of discipline. I try to make workdays in Singapore highly focused so that when I travel back to Malaysia, I can be fully present with my son. I rely on calendars, open communication with my team, and most importantly — setting clear boundaries. 

Andy: Balancing work and family requires a proactive approach, setting boundaries, and prioritizing tasks. By using time-blocking, scheduling family time, and delegating where possible, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling life.  

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about being a working father? 

Suresh: I developed greater responsibility and ownership, ensuring I handled everything with integrity. 

Meng Keat: That presence isn’t just physical — it’s emotional and intentional. Even when I’m not in the same place as my son, regular video calls, sending photos, and being engaged in his daily life mean a lot. Fatherhood taught me that consistency builds connection. 

Andy: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that presence matters more than perfection. Kids don’t need you to have all the answers—they just need you to show up, consistently and wholeheartedly. Being a working father has taught me how important it is to set boundaries, manage time wisely, and be fully present in the moment, whether I’m in a meeting or helping with homework. 

What advice would you give to other fathers or soon-to-be fathers in the company?

Suresh:  Be prepared to enjoy every moment and be ready to answer all curious questions from kids. 

Meng Keat:  Don’t be too hard on yourself. Whether you're near or far, your effort and LOVE matter. Stay connected in the ways you can, and trust that being a father will also make you a stronger, more thoughtful professional. 

Andy: Don’t be afraid to set boundaries. Take your paternity leave. Show up for your kids without guilt. The early years go by fast. And remember—being a great dad is one of the most powerful ways you can lead by example, both at home and in the workplace. 

Memories & Reflections

What are some of your favorite memories of being a father, and how have those moments shaped you? 

Suresh:  I cherish every moment I have with my children, even during their small achievements in school. They all motivate me to support their dreams and goals. 

Meng Keat: One of my favorite memories is experiencing so many “firsts” together with my son —our first playtime, his first laugh, the first time he held onto my finger. Each of those moments reminded me how meaningful even the smallest experiences can be, and they’ve taught me to appreciate the present — both at home and at work.  
 
Andy:  Some of my favorite memories as a father are the quiet, everyday moments—reading bedtime stories, teaching my child to ride a bike, or being there when they first walked into school. These moments aren’t flashy, but they’re incredibly grounding. They’ve taught me the value of patience, consistency, and showing up—traits that have deeply shaped my personal and professional life. 

Is there a particular moment at work or at home that stands out as especially rewarding or challenging? 

Meng Keat:  One challenging moment was when I had to miss his first time sitting up on his own because I was at work. It was hard, but I focused on being there for the next milestone—and I’ve been lucky to witness many others since. It reminded me that being a parent is a long journey, not a single moment. 

Andy: There was a time when I managed to troubleshoot a major IT issue remotely while holding my baby during nap time. It was a logistical nightmare but also a powerful moment—it proved to me that I could still rise to the occasion in both roles, even when the worlds collide. 

If you could change one thing about your journey as a working father, what would it be? 

Suresh: I don’t want to change anything. I have enjoyed the good moments and also learned from the bad. 

Meng Keat:  If I could change one thing, I would have started earlier to find a better rhythm between work and family life. The early months taught me how important it is to create space for both — more happy moments with my son and dedicated focus at work. Striking that balance has made me more effective and fulfilled in both areas, and I’m grateful for the growth it’s brought. 

Andy: I would have learned to say “no” earlier. Saying “no” to the non-essential means saying “yes” to what really matters—my family, my health, and my peace of mind. 

Looking Ahead

What are your hopes or goals for your children, and how do you see your work supporting those aspirations? 

Suresh:  I hope my children grow up with confidence in who they are and a sense of curiosity about the world. I want my work to model persistence, integrity, and purpose. Qualities I hope they’ll carry with them whatever they choose to pursue. 

Meng Keat:  I hope my son grows up feeling secure, loved, and encouraged to follow his own path. By staying committed to my work and showing resilience, I hope to set an example of what it means to be dedicated and responsible. 

Andy: I hope they grow up confident, compassionate, and curious about the world. I want them to see that hard work matters—but not at the cost of well-being or relationships. I hope my work ethic shows them that dedication can coexist with love and balance. 

How do you hope your children will remember your work ethic and your role as their father?  

Suresh: I hope they remember that I showed up not just at my job, but in their lives. That I worked hard and I want them to feel I gave them the best of me. 

Meng Keat: I hope he knows I showed up — with heart and purpose — building a life where he feels loved, inspired, and always my priority. 



Andy: I want them to remember that I showed up—for them and for my responsibilities. That I worked hard, but not harder than I loved. That I didn’t just build systems or solve problems—but that I built a life where they knew they were my top priority. 

Andy, Meng Keat, and Suresh have shown us that the skills learned through parenting – empathy, patience, resilience and consistency --  don’t detract from professional excellence, they enhance it. Their journeys illustrate that when we embrace our roles as parents, we become authentic, compassionate, and effective in every aspect of our lives. 

To all working fathers in our organization and beyond: thank you for demonstrating that there’s indeed more to life. The love and dedication you bring to your families make you invaluable members of our professional community. Your commitment to both your children and colleagues doesn’t go unnoticed – it inspires us all to strive for that same meaningful alignment in our own lives. 

#FunFact

50% of our male employees are parents and out of these Dads, nearly 1 in 2 are working in shift roles!