Tuesday, 24 March 2015

[Straits Times] Great leader who knew how to rally a team

TRULY, Singapore and the world have lost an amazing individual who was not only an extraordinary visionary but also a leader of courage, conviction and compassion.

Many remember Mr Lee Kuan Yew as a strong leader.

His other important virtue, that accounted for the foundational success of Singapore as a nation, was his amazing ability to build, develop and empower a team of high achievers to fulfil his vision.

People like Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr S. Rajaratnam, Dr Toh Chin Chye, Mr Lim Kim San, and many more were individuals who were successful in their own right.

And yet, under the stewardship of Mr Lee, they were willing to sacrifice their own personal interests for the greater purpose of serving the nation.

That was our founding father's remarkable talent - to find the right people and inspire them to greater heights of achievement.

How many corporate and country leaders are there who, while having great personal vision, were unable to achieve their dreams because of the inability to build cohesive and competent teams?

In fact, this lack of leadership skill proves to be the Achilles' heel for many potential leaders.

As we mourn the death of this great man, let us also remember his legacy as a leader who cared for his family, team and the nation.

Frankie Mao