The Journey of Azmi: The Lawyer with a New Vision
Azmi had always been known for his sharp mind and meticulous approach to his work as a lawyer. He thrived in the courtroom, where his attention to detail and mastery of legal language set him apart. For years, he built a reputation as someone who never missed a thing—whether it was a loophole in a contract or a key piece of evidence. His career was soaring, and he was on the path to becoming a senior partner at his firm.
But life took an unexpected turn one day. A sudden accident left Azmi blind in one eye. The physical pain was one thing, but the emotional and psychological toll was far greater. How could he continue his career, one that required perfect attention to detail, when his vision was now impaired?
After the accident, Azmi struggled to adjust to his new reality. Reading documents became exhausting, and the computer screen seemed blurry. He questioned whether he could ever return to the courtroom. His firm, while supportive, eventually suggested his resignation — or alternatively an unexpected opportunity in the IT Department. They needed someone with his legal expertise to manage compliance in data governance, cybersecurity regulations, and software contracts. Additionally, he was asked to take on the role of lead in IT Centre of Excellence and then that of a Project Manager for a major IT initiative. It wasn’t what Azmi had envisioned late in his career, as IT was his long dream that he had almost forgotten about since his school days, and with limited options, he accepted.
At first, the new role felt alien to him. He was no longer the confident lawyer in the courtroom; instead, he was navigating the not so unfamiliar world of technology, software development, user acceptance tests and project timelines. He managed to understand AI and represented his department in important meetings in Putrajaya. He missed his old job, the thrill of the courtroom, the sense of control he once had. His blindness in one eye made it harder to focus on documents and manage tasks. The screens, the constant flow of data, and the technical jargon overwhelmed him.
One day, during a particularly challenging moment, Azmi’s new boss, Sarah, approached him. She had seen his frustration and wanted to offer some advice.
"Azmi," she slowly began, "I know this transition has been tough for you. But I’ve noticed something. Even though this isn't your field, you bring something unique to the table—your ability to think critically, to spot risks that others overlook. The legal world taught you how to manage complexity, and that skill is incredibly valuable here. You may see things differently now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t excel. In fact, your experience gives you a perspective that this department has been missing."
Azmi sighed, unsure if her words could ease his doubts. "But I feel like I’m constantly behind. I can’t work the way I used to. Everything is… slower."
Sarah nodded sympathetically. "You’re right—things have changed. But that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your edge. You’re not just managing tasks, Azmi. You’re leading people, you’re managing risk, and you’re ensuring this department runs within the framework of law and governance. That’s huge. You’re still using your legal brain, just in a different way."
Azmi took Sarah’s words to heart. Over the next few weeks, he started focusing less on the things he couldn’t do the same way and more on the things he could do well. He developed new strategies to manage his time, using tools that helped him read documents with more ease and adopting project management software to track tasks more efficiently. His legal background gave him a unique ability to see risks in projects that others didn’t notice, making him an invaluable asset to the IT Department.
As Project Manager, Azmi led his team through the successful implementation of a new data governance policy, something that had been delayed for months before he arrived. His meticulous approach to managing compliance and ensuring all protocols were followed impressed both his team and upper management. He began to find a new rhythm, one that worked for him even with his limited vision.
But more than that, Azmi started to realize that the accident had given him something unexpected: a broader perspective. He wasn’t just a lawyer anymore; he was a leader, someone who could bridge the gap between law and technology, someone who could guide teams through complex challenges. His blindness in one eye didn’t stop him from seeing the bigger picture.
Years later, Azmi was not just a lawyer who had transitioned to IT—he was a respected leader, known for his resilience and ability to navigate the complexities of both law and technology. When people asked him how he managed to succeed despite losing his vision in one eye, Azmi would simply say, "It’s not about what you’ve lost. It’s about what you still have—and how you choose to use it."
Moral of the Story:
Adversity can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Losing one aspect of yourself doesn’t mean losing everything.
Sometimes, the greatest challenges give you the chance to grow in ways you never imagined.
Embrace the change, trust in your skills, and never underestimate your ability to adapt. What you once thought was a setback can become your greatest strength.
