?? 5 Surprising Leadership Secrets You Can Steal from PM Lawrence Wong's First 100 Days
Adrian Tan
Fractional CMO for HR Tech | Author of 'No More Bosses: The Journey to Sustainable Self-Employment' | Host of The Adrian Tan Show
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?? 5 Surprising Leadership Secrets You Can Steal from PM Lawrence Wong's First 100 Days
As corporate leaders navigating today’s complex and volatile business landscape, we can gain valuable insights from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's approach during his initial months in office.
During a recent press conference marking his 100th day, PM Wong articulated several leadership principles that are both insightful and practical, providing a robust framework for success in any domain.
1. Balancing Tradition with Bold Change
PM Wong emphasised the importance of respecting our past while embracing bold changes for the future. He highlighted Singapore’s core values, such as multiculturalism and self-reliance.
His SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme exemplifies this balance by offering unemployment support while requiring job seekers to engage in training. This approach merges innovation with traditional values.
Corporate leaders should similarly preserve their organisation’s culture while innovating to remain competitive. This involves discerning what to retain and what to modify, establishing a foundation of values and a vision for the future.
In my experience leading digital and infrastructure changes in the Asia Pacific, I found that grounding new implementations in local laws and customs was crucial. Balancing local sensitivities with global requirements requires open dialogue with stakeholders, building trust, and understanding cultural nuances.
2. Rethink Everything: The Danger of Clinging to Old Assumptions
PM Wong warned against complacency stemming from past successes, urging leaders to question assumptions and reevaluate established approaches. He stressed the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, fostering a culture where feedback is welcomed and blind spots are identified.
Leaders should model a growth mindset and openness to critique. Empowering employees to challenge the status quo and suggest improvements is vital as market realities evolve.
I recall a project where our headquarters preferred a globally recognised vendor for Asia Pacific infrastructure. However, I discovered their limited presence in non-English-speaking countries. I raised this concern with leadership, advocating for a thorough vendor evaluation, which ultimately led to a better-aligned choice.
3. Winning Over Stakeholders for Your Big Ideas
PM Wong aims to engage citizens more actively on foreign policy issues, emphasising unity despite differing perspectives. Corporate leaders should similarly engage stakeholders—employees, investors, customers, and communities—whose insights are crucial for strategic decisions.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, digital transformation and sustainability are critical. Leaders must communicate proactively, fostering two-way dialogues to understand stakeholder perspectives and build alignment. This can include using interactive platforms like virtual forums and surveys.
As a former Head of IT for Asia Pacific, I prioritised clear communication for smooth change implementation. Engaging directly with leadership and employees beyond usual channels built trust and minimised disruptions.
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4. Focus on What Matters
PM Wong highlighted the need to prioritise issues that affect citizens' quality of life, such as cost-of-living pressures, aged care financing, and family-friendly policies. He plans to enhance targeted subsidies and increase childcare accessibility, with Budget 2025 focusing on sustainable funding.
Similarly, business leaders should not focus solely on profits and KPIs at the expense of employee well-being. Addressing concerns like job security and skill development is crucial. Organisations that prioritise holistic employee well-being gain trust, loyalty, and sustainable success.
During project implementations, I emphasised my team’s well-being over strict office hours, fostering a positive environment. This trust-based leadership led to stellar performance and high employee engagement.
5. Turning Vision into Action
PM Wong used the National Day Rally to clarify the "Forward Singapore" vision, emphasising the importance of clear communication. Similarly, business leaders must translate organisational goals into relatable actions, especially during significant changes like digital transformation.
Effective leaders translate strategies into actionable priorities with clear metrics, empowering managers to discuss goals with employees, celebrate successes, and link daily actions to the broader vision. Over-communication through town halls and newsletters ensures everyone understands the organisation’s direction.
My success in leading projects across the Asia Pacific stemmed from engaging regional leaders and staff, building trust, and fostering open dialogue. This investment in relationships proved crucial in navigating change management complexities.
By thoughtfully applying these principles, we can advance our organisations while respecting our teams' needs and aspirations. From balancing tradition with innovation to rethinking outdated assumptions, PM Wong's approach encourages us to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and open dialogue.
By embodying these leadership secrets, we can create an environment that drives performance while nurturing well-being and collaboration—ensuring we move forward together.
Steven Lock is a highly sought-after Leadership Coach and mentor with almost 25 years of regional and global experience in multinational organisations. He has coached mid- and senior-level professionals, including CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CISOs, MDs, Heads of Departments, Senior Leaders, and Senior Medical Consultants (Specialist Medical Doctors) from the public and private sectors.
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