Opinion written by: Zeng Han-Jun

Underdogs rarely make it onto the radar of leaders with conventional mindsets. They are often brushed aside as too inexperienced, too unconventional, or simply not fitting the mold. Yet time and again, the people who start out overlooked are the ones who end up changing the game. When leaders fail to see them, they miss out on resilience, creativity, and fresh ideas that can transform entire industries.

Think about how leadership usually works.

Many decision‑makers lean on safe signals: polished resumes, prestigious degrees, or corporate titles. These markers feel comfortable, but they are not the whole story. Potential is not always wrapped in credentials. Sometimes it shows up in grit, in curiosity, in the ability to adapt when resources are scarce. The irony is that underdogs thrive precisely because they have had to fight harder and think differently. Their paths may be unconventional, but that is what makes their perspective so valuable.

I like to use the example of Howard Schultz to emphasize this point.

He grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, the first in his family to attend college. Nothing about his background suggested he would one day lead a global brand. Yet he saw something in a small coffee chain that others did not. He imagined a culture around coffee, not just a product, and built Starbucks into a worldwide phenomenon. He met the right person. That person also saw something in Schultz and opened the door for him. We can learn a lot from Schultz’s story and one of the lessons is that greatness often begins in places conventional leaders fail to look. He was not the polished candidate with the perfect resume. He was the underdog who refused to be defined by circumstance.

Closer to home, the entrepreneurs recognized through Shell LiveWire Malaysia show the same spirit. Bina BioX is turning agricultural waste into sustainable packaging, tackling environmental challenges with ingenuity. Aspire Youth’s AfterSekolah platform uses artificial intelligence to guide young people toward careers, giving underserved communities a chance to dream bigger. These ventures did not begin with privilege or vast resources. They began with vision, persistence, and the courage to try. With support and mentorship, they grew into businesses that now drive social and economic change.

Spotting underdogs means shifting the way we look at people. Instead of scanning for credentials, we need to notice curiosity, persistence, and initiative. The person who asks thoughtful questions, who volunteers for tough tasks, who shows eagerness to learn. All these are actually signals of potential. Conventional leadership often misses them because they do not fit into neat categories.

But leaders willing to look deeper can uncover talent that others ignore.

Giving underdogs a chance does not require grand gestures. Sometimes it is as simple as offering a small project, a stretch assignment, or a mentorship relationship. Trust and encouragement are the fuel that underdogs need to rise. Schultz’s journey began with a single opportunity to reimagine coffee culture. Closer to our region, those group of entrepreneurs that I have mentioned, began with small but meaningful support that allowed them to scale their ideas. In both cases, the chance to prove themselves unlocked creativity and performance that transformed their futures.

Nurturing growth is the next step. Confidence grows when feedback is constructive and guidance is steady. Access to networks, training, and exposure allows underdogs to expand their horizons. Safe spaces for experimentation ensure they can learn without fear of punishment. Leaders who create these conditions do more than empower individuals. They strengthen the collective capacity of their organizations. Schultz’s rise was shaped by mentors who believed in him, and invested in his potential and idea.

The ripple effect of nurturing underdogs is powerful. Those who rise often become mentors themselves, creating a cycle of empowerment. Organizations benefit from diversity of thought and stronger teams. Communities thrive when overlooked voices are amplified. Starbucks today is not just a coffee company but a cultural force. Ventures like Bina BioX and AfterSekolah are not just start‑ups but catalysts for environmental and social change. What begins as a single opportunity can evolve into a movement that might reshapes industries and societies.

Many time, some dismiss spotting an underdog as a diversity exercise, but it is not simply about fairness. It is a strategic decision that unlocks the future. Leaders who continue to rely on conventional markers of success risk missing out on the very talent that could propel them forward. Every champion was once an underdog who got a chance. The real question is whether today’s leaders are ready to see beyond the surface and nurture the potential that lies hidden in plain sight.