Future Leader profile: Kenneth Lim
Position: Director of Customer Analytics, VML
Without the relevant background, I started learning maths, statistics and programming over many years. I credit two statisticians—Professors Petra Macaskill and Jane Hutton—for igniting and shaping my data journey.
Education: PhD in statistics and behavioural science, Warwick University
I was filled with self-doubt about my academic abilities as I didn't know whether my average grades at school were because of my lack of academic ability or effort. I decided to test this out, and I challenged myself to give 100% at university. I ended up changing my life and graduated with a first class honours. More importantly, I conquered my inner demons of self-doubt and learned I could overcome my biggest obstacles.
Leadership philosophy: Leaders selflessly strive towards the greater good
Leaders have integrity and moral courage, complete personal accountability and responsibility to others, and commitment to see things through hardship.
Motivations as a Future Leader: To bring the joy of statistics to people who hate numbers
I hated maths and found statistics extremely boring growing up. I studied business at university, and I accidentally fell in love with statistics after seeing how they could be used to solve practical problems.
Role models: Professors Petra Macaskill (Sydney) and Jane L Hutton (Warwick)
Petra showed me how statistics can be used to solve practical problems; and Jane taught me what it means to have courage, compassion and integrity through her actions. She showed me how to systematically tackle problems with statistics.
Advice to aspiring statisticians: Bear three things in mind:
1) Data is a means to an end, so figure out what's the end that your team/company are striving towards and help them achieve it. 2) In a world where most people are focussed on themselves, focus on helping others and the business succeed. 3) Be exceptional at conducting exploratory data analysis and linking that to the business context.
Hobbies: Catching up on pop culture from ten years ago, like watching Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Peaky Blinders, etc. Listening to 80s rock and 2000s power metal music.