De Todos Modos: How a Values Conversation Changed My Professional Perspectives.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be truly seen and heard in your workplace? Let me share a story that might resonate with you – my transformative journey with Blended Concept Pte Ltd, soon to be known as Upliven.

When I first stepped through the doors as an administrative support staff in 2023, I was like many others in Singapore's SME landscape – someone looking to do their job well and maybe, just maybe, find a place to grow. Little did I know that this company would reshape my entire perspective on professional growth and workplace relationships.

My journey has been anything but linear. From administrative support, I moved through various roles – training support, marketing support, and even ventured into becoming what I called an "AI specialist wannabe." Today, as a Learning and Development Specialist and an aspiring Communications person for Blended Concept/Upliven. Each transition taught me something valuable, but nothing compared to what I experienced during our recent values conversation session.

Picture this: eight employees sitting with our co-founders, Goh Wai Fu and Martin Fung, not in a typical top-down meeting, but in an open dialogue about our individual values and collective future. In Singapore's SME context, where company values are typically preset and unchangeable, this was revolutionary. The session began with palpable somberness – after all, how often do employees get to openly discuss what they think their company is doing right or wrong?

As we shared our thoughts, something magical happened. The walls of hierarchy slowly dissolved, replaced by genuine connections and shared aspirations. We discovered that values like accountability and relationships weren't just corporate buzzwords to us – they were principles we all deeply believed in, regardless of our positions.

What touched me most was witnessing our co-founders' vulnerability. Running a business isn't just about profits and operations; it's about building something meaningful together. Their willingness to open up this conversation showed me what true leadership looks like – not directing from above, but growing together with their team.

One of our greatest strengths, which became even clearer during our discussions, is our unique approach to training. Under the masterful guidance of our Master Trainer, Alastair Tan, we've created learning experiences that transcend traditional classroom settings. Our training sessions bring together an incredibly diverse community – from prison volunteers to corporate leaders, from teachers to parents – all united by the belief that everyone has the potential to become their best selves.

The Upliven Practice Circle, our bi-monthly gathering of past and present learners, embodies this philosophy perfectly. It's more than just a practice session; it's a vibrant community where knowledge flows freely, doubts are addressed openly, and skills are continuously refined. Being part of these sessions has shown me the real impact of our work – how it touches lives and creates ripples of positive change in our community.

As we transition from Blended Concept to Upliven, I see more than just a name change. I see the evolution of a vision, the maturing of a dream to create lasting positive impact in people's lives. The flexible working environment and clear job descriptions are wonderful, yes, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to growing together, learning together, and transforming together.

Today, as I help craft our company's communications and develop learning programs, I carry with me every lesson from my journey – from the administrative tasks that taught me attention to detail, to the marketing role that showed me the power of authentic storytelling, to my current position where I can help others unlock their potential.

To those reading this who might feel stuck in their professional journey or wonder if meaningful workplace transformation is possible, I want you to know that it is. It takes courage from leadership to open these conversations, and commitment from employees to step up and embrace the responsibility that comes with having a voice.

The future of work isn't just about digital transformation or new technologies; it's about human connection, authentic relationships, and the courage to grow together. As we evolve into Upliven, these principles will continue to guide us, shaping not just our company, but the lives of everyone we touch through our work.

"In the end, transformation isn't just about changing what we do – it's about changing how we see ourselves and our place in the world. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to start that journey."

#PersonalGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #CompanyValues #SMESingapore #ProfessionalDevelopment#LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceTransformation #LearningAndDevelopment #CorporateCulture