How This Leader Found Clarity in Chaos

Hla-Hla Win

 

Business resilience amidst a coup

Leadership is often tested in moments of uncertainty, but few leaders have faced the level of disruption that Hla Hla Win encountered. As the co-founder of 360ed, an education technology company transforming learning in Myanmar through augmented reality, Hla Hla has consistently embodied an exponential mindset—one that prioritizes innovation, resilience, and bold action.

But it wasn’t just her groundbreaking work that inspired me—it was how she led her team through one of the most tumultuous events in modern Myanmar history: the 2021 military coup.

Leadership Under Siege

Imagine waking up to a nation in chaos. The internet is shut down. Protests erupt in the streets. People disappear overnight. Your employees are in danger, and so is your mission. This is the reality Hla Hla faced as the coup unfolded.

Her company, 360ed, was built to bring high-quality, affordable education to students across Myanmar, leveraging augmented reality to make learning accessible and engaging. However, overnight, her work and her team were at risk.

Instead of surrendering to fear, she pivoted her leadership style. She checked in daily with her team of 80 employees, ensuring their safety as some were arrested or injured during protests. Her leadership became about more than just running a business—it was about survival, adaptability, and human connection.

A Bold Pivot in the Face of Crisis

With the internet down and businesses collapsing under government-imposed restrictions, 360ed had to find new ways to deliver education. Hla Hla didn’t let the lack of digital access stop her. Instead, she leaned into her company’s strength: offline-capable education apps.

These apps, which had already been designed for areas with limited connectivity, became lifelines for students—even in refugee camps. The same camps where Hla Hla and her family sought refuge, living in a monastery alongside 200 other families.

There, she witnessed firsthand how learning could persist even when everything else seemed impossible. Children in the camp had access to education because of the very tools her company had built—an example of resilience coming full circle.

A Million Students and Counting

Despite the immense challenges, Hla Hla never wavered in her mission. Today, 360ed is educating over 1,000,000 students worldwide, proving that even in chaos, clarity and commitment to a bigger vision can create lasting impact.

Hla Hla is a graduate of Harvard University and the 2016 Singularity University Global Startup Program (GSP), where I had the privilege of meeting her during my time at Singularity. I watched her collaborate with co-founders to create the concept for 360ed, leveraging augmented and virtual reality to revolutionize education.

But while those early days were about technological innovation, the true test of her leadership came in how she navigated uncertainty.

Her journey is a reminder for all of us: Even in the most turbulent moments, having clarity around a big idea can do more than just get us through—it can fuel real, meaningful change.

Mindset Used

Hla Hla Win’s leadership during Myanmar’s 2021 military coup exemplifies a mindset characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to her mission. Her approach offers valuable lessons for leaders navigating crises:

  1. Resilience: Despite personal danger and the upheaval of her country, Hla Hla remained unwavering in her dedication to democratizing education. This resilience enabled her to continue leading and innovating under extreme circumstances.

  2. Adaptability: Faced with internet shutdowns and widespread unrest, she quickly pivoted 360ed’s strategy to focus on offline-capable education apps, ensuring that learning could continue even in disconnected environments.

  3. Empathy and Compassion: Prioritizing the safety and well-being of her team, Hla Hla maintained daily check-ins, offering support and guidance as they navigated the dangers of the coup.

  4. Visionary Thinking: By leveraging augmented reality and other advanced technologies, she continued to pursue innovative solutions to provide quality education, even in the most challenging settings.

Hla Hla Win’s mindset serves as a powerful example of how clarity of purpose, combined with resilience and adaptability, can lead to impactful leadership during times of chaos.

How You Can Reset Through Clarity

Hla Hla’s story isn’t just one of survival—it’s one of strategic clarity, even in the most chaotic circumstances. Here’s how you can apply the same principles to reset and find clarity in your own moments of uncertainty:

  1. Focus on One Priority – When everything feels overwhelming, identify the most important goal or action you need to take today. Focusing on one key step at a time can help prevent decision fatigue and keep you moving forward.

  2. Simplify Your Environment – Reduce distractions so you can fully concentrate on what matters. Whether that’s clearing physical clutter, limiting digital noise, or redefining your daily schedule, simplicity breeds clarity.

  3. Pause and Reflect – Take a moment to assess where you are and align with your bigger vision. It’s easy to get lost in the urgency of the moment, but stepping back can help reveal the best path forward.

Final Thoughts

In the face of adversity, Hla Hla Win exemplified what it truly means to be a leader. She didn’t just adapt—she took bold action while staying deeply committed to her mission. Her story is a testament to how clarity, resilience, and an exponential mindset can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.

The next time you find yourself in chaos, remember this: Clarity isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about knowing your mission, your purpose, and your next step.

And sometimes, that’s all you need to move forward.

If you’re inspired by Hla Hla’s journey and want to cultivate an exponential mindset in your own life, consider exploring programs designed to expand your thinking and enhance your leadership skills. For instance, the ReStart Now Program offers comprehensive resources and guidance to help individuals and organizations navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. By engaging in such programs, you can develop the clarity and resilience needed to navigate challenges and drive meaningful change in your personal and professional life.

By Marjan Mohsenin,

Founder, Marjan Moments

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