Values Driven Leadership in Action – Team SG

At the outset – I salute you Prime Minister Lee.

Singapore has been my home for more than twenty years now. In those years I have observed the growth, evolution and management of this country. The longer I stay here, the more I am in awe of this nation, it’s people, and most of all the essence of its leadership. My company’s work focuses on helping individuals and organizations become values driven. The management of the COVID outbreak in this country, has proven to be a most excellent example of Values in Action. One of the most challenging aspects of our leadership programs is how help leaders understand what Values in Action really means.

A World in Crisis – COVID

The country was/ is in crisis. Similarly, at times organizations are in crisis, and at times, we individuals may also be in a crisis. In times of crisis more than ever, it is our Values, that are our greatest sources of strength. If we can allow our actions to be guided by our Values, even when fear and terror stares at us in our face, we can find the resilience we need, to deal with any problems that might come our way. Singapore, it’s leaders and its people have proven this to be true.

Values in Action by PM Lee and his leadership team: A perspective.

As a facilitator and Coach, that does much work with Values, I believe they recognized the needs of the hour, and ensured that their action plans were aligned with a Value System, that puts the people of it’s country as the top priority. A rare occurrence in the world, as it stands today.

1. HEALTH & SAFETY – Feeling safe, being healthy is the foremost and basic human need. In this kind of a crisis, the fundamental safety of people is threatened. The leaders know this and have been pro-active in ensuring that their people are taken care of. Health care systems and providers have been put in place to ensure that growing needs of the people can and will be met.

They also engendered “Safety” in people by acting on the following values.

2. TRANSPARENCY / OPEN COMMUNICATION – The single greatest accomplishment of the management of this crisis has been the transparency with which this has been handled. When in crisis, people tend to become fearful, and greater the unknown – greater the fear. Fear brings out the worst in people – Selfishness, hatred, anger, greed, racism. Daily updates coming directly from the Gov sources, Constant and trusted communication channels, combined with caution and discernment, has allowed the government to turn Fear into Acceptance and Courage.
3. RELIABILITY/ EFFICIENCY – If there is one thing, Singapore is known for, it is the reliability and efficiency of its infrastructure, systems and processes. The crisis was handled no differently. Various government agencies, public and private sectors all worked hand in hand to put in place, clear structures and processes for handling of the outbreak. The people feel safe knowing that they can rely on their government to take right action.
4. COMMUNITY/ COLLABORATION –  Not only are the leaders handling the crisis, they have brought the people on board with them. SgUnited, a brilliant idea, a support center for the people by the people puts the people at the heart of not just the problem, but also the solution. Involving people in becoming part of the solution, gives people a greater sense of ownership and accountability for overcoming the crisis.
5. COMPASSION – More than anything else, the leaders have displayed a great sense of compassion for their people. Serving diligently and ensuring the people that are most impacted by the virus are well taken care of. Proper health care for those in medical need, and bail out packages, for those suffering from the economic impact of the virus, have been on top of the minds of this leadership team.

The Singapore leaders have been such an impressive statement of what leadership means and stands for. My hope is that more organizations and countries would learn from them.

And finally, Kudos, to the people of Singapore, who have listened to and followed their leaders requests in handling this crisis. As Ray Dalio, said one of the fundamental principles that will decide how well a country recovers from this crisis, is whether or not the people of the country, adhere to orders and prescriptions set out by authorities.

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