Mr Urs Schoettli, correspondent of the Swiss daily, Neue Zurcher Zeitung based in Tokyo, wrote the following review of our book “Winning With Honour”, which was published by the Indian economic daily, Financial Chronicles, on 19 May 2016.
We are reproducing the article below with Mr Schoettli’s permission:
“There is hardly any doubt that the city state of Singapore has one of the most efficient and corruption free administrations not only in Asia, but in the entire world. When some 50 years ago Singapore was thrown out of the Malaysian Federation its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, knew that the tiny territory only had a chance to become prosperous if it excelled in its services. The island state has no natural resources and no hinterland. Its only assets are the brains and the talents of its citizens.
Lim Siong Guan, since 2007 the Group President of GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, is a classic example of the dedicated civil servants that have built modern Singapore. His curriculum vitae is an illustration in dedication to the nation. In succession, Lim served as permanent secretary of the ministry of defence, the prime minister’s office, the ministry of education and the ministry of finance. From 1999 till 2005, he was the head of the Singapore civil service. Recently, Lim (writing with Joanne H Lim) has published a book Winning with Honour (jointly published by Imperial College Press and World Scientific Publishing in Singapore), which draws on his rich experience in government. It is a useful read not only because it provides an insight into the challenges Singapore faces in a new age where most of its assets are still valid, but some have to be adapted or reinforced to go with the times. The book also gives valuable advice for modern, responsible management both within government and within the corporate world.
To win, to get ahead, is at the core of careers, both in companies as well as in the government. In the end, however, many have to realise that on its own, this goal is not enough to provide for a fulfilled life. What is true for individuals is true for entire societies and for nation states too. Having just completed 50 years of independence, the city-state of Singapore faces a kind of “midlife crisis”. When looking at all the relevant socioeconomic parameters indicating progress and modernisation, there can be no doubt that Singaporeans can look back on an outstanding record of achievement. The city changed from a marginal, poor harbour town to a centre of global excellence, be it in finance, in services or, most recently, in education and science.
The danger is not only that people want to rest on their laurels or that they take things for granted. A topic, which Lim Siong Guan and a number of senior Singaporeans are struggling with, is to evaluate how the success story that had been started half a century ago can be continued into the future, where a number of challenges facing the city state will acquire new dimensions. It may be symbolic that modern Singapore’s guiding spirit, Lee Kuan Yew, died last year at the ripe age of 92 years. All of a sudden the “grand old man” is not there anymore and new generations of Singaporeans are growing up without any experience of the hard times. They have been born into a world of material comfort and are easily convinced that this is their natural right and that nothing can take it away from them.
The increasing complexity of the world causes ever greater uncertainty, particularly also with regard to what the future will bring. In such a situation, leadership is more important than ever. Without farsighted leaders, neither a country nor a company can survive and prosper. This is the reason why Lim is putting a lot of emphasis on leadership training in his intellectual endeavours. Traditional management gurus focus mainly on technicalities and methodical training. Lim, however, starts from the family as the foundation of true leadership. Under the principle of honour, it is particularly the intergenerational respect and the corresponding duties that provide a sound basis for exercising leadership. A solid moral compass and mutual trust play a key role.
Much of what Lim sees as crucial requirements for the survival of communities, states and companies refers to traditional Asian values, many of which are, of course, of universal validity. Behind these time-tested values lies the awareness about the rise and fall of nations and societies. People tend to forget them, particularly when times are good. Looking at how quickly material prosperity can diminish and locational advantages can be eroded, Lim’s precept is to the point, namely, that the next phase of Singapore’s development has to be “values driven”.
Competition is welcome and particularly the younger generations must be made aware that to stand still is no option, if they intend to enjoy a reasonably prosperous life. However, bearing in mind the need for sustainability, the question must be asked to what end the unending rat race must go on. Lim’s book gives useful insights into an approach to societal development where the focus is on qualitative improvement. This may be a particularly urgent task for the small city-state of Singapore, but it is also a requirement for much larger countries if they want to provide their aspiring and often restless youth with goals that are worth aiming for.”
You can also access the article online at: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/op-ed/building-nation-%E2%80%98winning-honour%E2%80%99-863
For more reviews for “Winning with Honour“, please visit: http://winningwithhonour.sg/affirmations.html#/#r01