Winston Utomo: A Young Indonesian Entrepreneur Who Masterminds the Future of Media and Entertainment
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17 November 2023 21:28 WIB
In every stride he takes, Winston recognizes that leadership transcends mere directives; it entails providing guidance and being a source of inspiration for those around him. "A leader must lead by example. For instance, regarding discipline and professionalism. I always show my team the importance of these values by doing it on a regular basis. If I have a meeting at 9.00 in the morning, I will come at 8.55 or, at the latest, 8.59, not 9.01 or even 9.05. It’s about showing respect and appreciation to everyone in the room. If I'm not disciplined, it can negatively impact the team and potentially become a cultural norm. Therefore, it all begins with the leader creating the desired culture," Winston adds. In terms of management style, Winston endeavors to strike a balance between the macro and micro perspectives. According to Winston, a capable leader must know when to focus on the grander vision and when to delve into the dynamic of operations. This judgment is contingent on the context and the needs of the team.
Furthermore, Winston says that empathy is a very crucial part of effective leadership. He goes to great lengths to ensure that each Timmy feels seen, accepted, and valued. His leadership is underpinned by a profound trust in his team members, creating an environment where respect and appreciation flourish — a psychologically secure workspace. By harmonizing these principles, Winston has successfully fostered an inclusive, integrity-centered, and growth-oriented culture at IDN Media.
Family always has to stick together, no matter what
Leadership success is not confined to the professional realm alone; it ought to be evident in one's family—the most intimate and cherished haven following a day's toil. Winston believes that his top priority is his family. During his downtime, he frequently shares moments of joy with his wife, Alvina Utomo, and their 1.5-year-old son, Aramont Winston Utomo. "Witnessing my child's happiness and watching him grow healthy is my main source of motivation."
In addition, Winston says, “I enjoy spending time with my family – with my parents, brother, and everyone in the family. They are the most important part of my life. I prefer to gather at home for meals or to have an intimate dinner with my family. For me, a harmonious family brings tranquility and happiness. Family always has to stick together, no matter what.”
Additionally, Winston indulges in several other activities to rejuvenate before resuming work, such as savoring football matches and engrossing himself in books. "My favored clubs are Manchester United (football) and San Antonio Spurs (basketball)," Winston discloses. Concurrently, he revels in the profundity of literature. Annually, he immerses himself in about 30-40 books, expanding his knowledge and drawing inspiration. "One of my cherished books is Only the Paranoid Survive by Andrew Grove. This book instilled in me the notion that maintaining a 'paranoid' dedication to enhancing the business and prioritizing innovation is the crux of a company's triumph," Winston expounds.
IDN Media's Aspiration for 2045
Furthermore, Winston Utomo is recognized for his commitment to his company's social responsibility. Through the non-profit entity IDN Foundation, IDN Media concentrates on organizing social and humanitarian initiatives to render positive contributions to Indonesian society. IDN Foundation has successfully executed numerous endeavors, including a blood donation initiative in collaboration with PMI, the "Belajar Bareng Timmy" (Learning with Timmy) program, inviting Timmys (a term used for IDN Media employees) to contribute to children's education through interactive sessions with children in the Tangerang and West Jakarta areas, a drive to establish libraries in less privileged areas, a book donation drive to various reading nooks in Indonesia, and a donation campaign coined #1Resep1NasiBungkus (#1Recipe1RicePacket), disbursing rice packets to informal laborers on the streets.
Despite achieving considerable success, Winston Utomo shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to labor tirelessly for the advancement of his company. "At IDN Media, our vision is to democratize information and catalyze positive change in Indonesia—a journey that is far from over. This isn't just our dream or the dream of a select few; it is the aspiration of 273 million Indonesians, especially the Millennial and Z generations, to see Indonesia evolve into a high-income nation by 2045 and to be respected worldwide. IDN Media has a pivotal role to play in this endeavor. Time is of the essence, and we must take an active stance for Indonesia. We must ask ourselves, 'What can we contribute to Indonesia? How can we help this nation?' One step at a time, for a better Indonesia," Winston underscores, highlighting his vision for IDN Media and Indonesia's trajectory toward 2045.
Winston Utomo stands as a living testament to a triumphant young Indonesian entrepreneur. Together with his brother, the impact stretches far beyond personal accolades to encompass the transformative influence he and his company exert on Indonesia. With integrity, devotion, discipline, hard work, and a determined spirit, he has not only built IDN Media into the powerhouse it is today but has also become a beacon of inspiration to many. One life principle Winston often imparts is, "Our time in this life is limited, so let us be a source of inspiration and positive impact to others and those around us."
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