Prudential Ethics & Conduct Award

For a long while I was thinking about what to write about winning this award. It has been 6 years since I started with Prudential. It was through the many different experiences that I’ve had over the years that have shaped me into the person I am today. Winning the Ethics & Conduct Award (ECA) was a moment of immense pride and affirmation for me. It wasn’t just an award; it was a testament to the values I strive to uphold every day in my professional life.

In an industry where trust is key, being recognised for my ethical conduct reassured me that my dedication to honesty, transparency, and fairness truly makes a difference. I’ve always believed that doing the right thing is fundamental to building and maintaining trust with clients and colleagues alike. This award was a recognition of those silent choices and unseen efforts.

Receiving this award also made me reflect on the influence and responsibility I have in my role. Every decision I make, every interaction I have, impacts not just my immediate team but the broader perception of our company in front of our clients. Upholding strong ethical standards ensures that my clients feel secure and valued, knowing they are in capable and trustworthy hands.

Weirdly enough, I love speaking to clients who have less than positive experiences with Prudential, where most people tend to run away, I run towards. Whether they had bad experiences with unsettled claims, investment losses, unresponsive agents or simply having bought wrong policies. I often like to step in and offer my services. My rationale is simple - I am a representative of Prudential, the policy may not be sold by me, but it is the reputation of the company that I have to uphold.

I was asked before - "If you aren't earning commission, why bother? It's such a waste of time to listen to these people complain, sometimes they create the problem."

Everyone is entitled to their own point of view in this matter. There's absolutely no right or wrong. We can go about pointing fingers on whose fault it was, but the fact of the matter is - the client STILL needs help. If a person needs help, what does that speak about my own character if I were to be more concerned about the monetary aspect of this matter?

Maybe it's the way I was taught that offer assistance wherever and whenever you can.

"If you have been blessed with a gift and you are not using it well, it should be taken away from you"

I heard this from one of the speakers at the MDRT Annual Meeting this year. Though he was not speaking to me directly, it was something that I hit me. That one statement prompted hours of self-reflection on the work I have been doing the past few years and what MORE I should be doing.

This is definitely a significant milestone in my career, reinforcing my commitment to ethical excellence. It has encouraged me to continue striving for the highest standards, knowing that my efforts positively impact those around me and the industry as a whole.

It has motivated me to continue being a role model for integrity for all who are in this industry or are thinking of pursuing a career here. It’s a reminder that ethical behaviour is not just about following rules, but about fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and fairness.

I attended the ECA Luncheon with my FC Demetri Yang, AFC, IBFQ. Demetri has been with me for the longest time, from when I was a young Financial Consultant, to being a Senior Manager today. We have been through so much together and have watched each other grow over the years.

We had such an amazing time over lunch speaking to our CEO Dennis Tan, CFP?. Where he shared that Prudential Assurance Company Singapore is the only insurer to have introduced the Ethics & Conduct Award recognising Financial Consultants and Agency Leaders who have high standards of ethical conduct.

"This award bestowed upon you is not one that can be taken away from you. You can't say that I am ethical today, and unethical tomorrow. It is not a performance award, but an award that you have attained through years of doing the right thing."

Awardees have to be nominated and undergo a rigorous screening and interview process. They are awarded to only 12 individuals, chosen out of 5,000 eligible recipients. Definitely an honour to have been chosen as 1 out of 4 Agency Leaders in this category.

This award speaks volumes about the culture that Prudential wants. In our jobs as Financial Consultants, it is one filled with temptations and not an easy path to walk. Being an ECA Awardee doesn't mean that I am the most ethical person, I am sure that there are many out who deserve this award as well.

So -

This goes out to all my clients, all of whom trusted me to look after them.

This goes out to my team, who have placed their faith in me to guide them on the right path.

And to Mom, thanks for teaching me the right values from the start.