Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN)

🇸🇬 𝗦𝗚𝗟𝗡 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻! We're pleased to announce that applications are now open for the prestigious SGLN Fellowship programme starting in January 2025! This is open to all talented mid-to-senior level Singaporean leaders. The SGLN Fellowship is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and network needed to thrive in international leadership roles. Building on the success of our inaugural programme, the 2025 edition includes a leadership module, both mentoring and coaching sessions, an Action Learning Project, online workshops, networking sessions with global leaders, and an overseas learning journey, all designed to prepare you for the global stage. Don't miss out! Apply today and join a community of accomplished leaders who will become your lifelong champions. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗽? Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gU-nvHb3 #SGLN #SGLNFellowship #GlobalLeadership

We are excited to share an exclusive event organised by 通商中国 Business China for Singapore business leaders: "Decoding China’s New Phase of Growth and Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges for Singapore Businesses." Date: 22 November 2024 Registration Deadline: 20 November, 2pm Amid structural transformation, slower growth, and shifting global supply chains, China’s economy faces complex challenges with far-reaching implications. Yet, as many Chinese companies "Go Global" (中资企业出海), they create fresh opportunities for Singaporean businesses to collaborate, innovate, and grow.    Join us to explore how Singapore businesses can seize this momentum. Hear from Dr Chaik Ming Koh, senior research fellow of the Institute of Operations Research & Analytics (IORA) on opportunities, as he addresses the unique challenges for Singapore businesses in China’s new phase of growth and innovation. Following Dr. Koh’s presentation, gain deeper insights through a panel discussion featuring: Mr. Chee Hin Ho, CEO, Business China Mr. Clyde Lee, CEO, Lee Holdings Mr. Lim Chiang Fong 林昌鸿 ., Managing Director of Chinese and Technology Corporates, Enterprise Banking at OCBC (TBC)   Together, the panellists will discuss critical considerations for Singaporean businesses looking to engage with Chinese enterprises abroad, and what this means for positioning Singapore businesses in China’s evolving market landscape.   You will also learn more about the 通商中国 Business China Advanced Leaders Programme (ALP) 2025 - an apex executive programme designed to equip business leaders with the market insights, practical skills, and cross-border networks essential for success in today’s evolving business environment. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g8K9D9M5   We look forward to seeing Singapore business leaders participate and gain insights that will empower them to thrive in the evolving global market.

On November 26 we will hold our final SGLN community event of the year, featuring an exclusive leadership symposium with Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, acclaimed executive coach and New York Times bestselling author. Known for transformative insights from his books, 'What Got You Here Won’t Get You There' and 'Triggers', Dr. Goldsmith will share strategies to help leaders evolve and excel in today’s dynamic workplace. There will also be a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Peter Chee, CEO of ITD World, a renowned coaching expert who has shaped leaders across 80+ countries. Panelists include Aseem Puri, CEO Unilever International; Frank Koo 高國堂, founder, Nextplay, and Peck Kem Low, CHRO and Advisor (Workforce Development), Public Service Division.   This event has reached maximum capacity, but if you want to join our waitlist, please email to nigelaziz@hcli.org. Stay tuned for updates on our events and initiatives in 2025! Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/gmHNWmd5

Happy Deepavali from the Singapore Leaders Network! 🪔✨ As we celebrate this Festival of Lights, may it inspire us to continue building bridges, fostering leadership, and driving positive change. Wishing all our members and friends a joyous and radiant Deepavali! 🌟 #Deepavali #FestivalOfLights #SGLN

🚨 LAST CALL for SGLN Fellowship 2025 applications closing in three days! 🚨 Alvin Wee, a goal-driven leader skilled in building and transforming cross-functional teams, shares how the SGLN Fellowship has fueled his growth by connecting him with visionary Singaporean leaders and providing fresh approaches to leadership challenges. Through the mentorship of senior leaders—Board Directors, CxOs, and industry experts—the SGLN Fellowship equips leaders like Alvin to navigate and excel in complex, cross-functional roles. ⏳ Applications close this Friday, November 1st. Don’t miss your last chance to elevate your leadership journey: https://lnkd.in/gU-nvHb3 #SGLN #SGLNFellowship #GlobalLeadership

Reflecting on a Remarkable Year of Growth and Transformation 🌟 A desire to seek new challenges and broaden my horizons led me to embark on a journey of personal and professional enrichment, beginning with the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) Fellowship Programme. This program has not only connected me with inspiring leaders from diverse industries but has also honed my leadership skills and expanded my perspective—critical tools that have helped shape my work at Commonwealth Capital Group. I’m deeply grateful to Andrew Kwan for his unwavering support—thank you for being patient and trusting in my ability to drive meaningful change. I’ve also had the privilege of being mentored by Patricia Sharma, whose insights have been pivotal in guiding me on this journey. September was an incredibly enriching month, one that demonstrated the importance of continuous learning in leadership. It began with the STARS Symposium in Switzerland, where I took inspiration from thought leaders like Stephen Cornish of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Lim Siong Guan, Former Group President of GIC. These experiences deepened my understanding of resilient, purpose-driven leadership. A subsequent London CHRO Overseas Immersion Programme, led by Christophane Foo of Enterprise Singapore, offered me valuable insights from senior leaders at Egon Zehnder, VISA and cutting-edge trends from GartnerHR. These insights have been instrumental in providing focus to align our HR and transformation efforts with the latest trends shaping the future of work. September concluded with Team Tiffin’s SGLN action learning project where our topic, “Leveraging the Power of Networks,” featured thought leaders Juliana Chan, PhD and Frank Koo 高國堂, with fellows Joel Shen and Norma W.. This session featured delectable treats from Baker & Cook and The Marmalade Pantry (thanks to my lovely colleagues Ern Xu Seah, Daniel Tan and Brian Stampe!) and underscored the power of networks and meaningful connections—something I aim to strengthen further to foster collaboration and drive impactful change. I’ve been able to draw inspirations from these learning journeys, to lead initiatives in People, Process, and Technology with a renewed sense of purpose for my roles as the Group Chief Human Resource Officer and Group Chief Transformation Officer. These roles have provided me with opportunities to apply new perspectives on how technology can unlock value and support transformation within an evolving business landscape, positioning Commonwealth Capital for sustainable growth. Grateful that this year has been a rewarding journey of growth and learning, and I’m excited for what lies ahead as we continue to push boundaries and unlock new opportunities. 🚀 #GlobalLeadership #Transformation #StarsSymposium #SGLN

One of the best decisions I made this year was joining the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) Fellowship. When I first applied to join the Fellowship, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was part of the inaugural cohort, so it wasn't as if there was anyone I could speak to about the programme. But SGLN exceeded all my expectations. For me, some highlights of the Fellowship were: 1. A structured six-month mentorship with Vinod V. Mahboobani 馬偉樂. Vinod is Group Chief Legal Officer of KFC and Pizza Hut at Yum! Brands, and the epitome of a global leader. He offered valuable counsel, encouragement, inspiration, and perspective at all our meetings. Today, I am glad to be able to call Vinod a friend, and am grateful to SGLN for bringing us together. 2. Debating with the great Piyush Gupta on whether Singaporeans have what it takes to be global business leaders today. Geraldine Chin and I debated Piyush and Michelle Khoo before an audience of some 300 people, and played to a draw after several minutes of extra time. To this day, Nadir Zafar tells people I nearly beat Piyush in a debate. The way I tell the story, Piyush nearly beat me 😂 3. Participating in a fireside chat with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. President Tharman is that rare breed of leader who is at once erudite and humorous, commanding and approachable. He has a gift of making complex issues sound simple, and the insights and reflections he shared on geopolitics, the rising cost of living in Singapore, and Singaporean leadership, were both timeless and timely. 4. Sharing a panel with the inimitable Juliana Chan, PhD and Frank Koo 高國堂, on the power of leveraging networks. I speak on a great many panels, but this was especially meaningful for me because it was a challenging time for me and Juliana, and that brought out an especially authentic time of sharing with the audience. I am grateful to Juliana and Frank for the generosity of their time and advice. 5. Meeting the other incredible Fellows. Throughout the Fellowship, I’ve met remarkable leaders, each with stories of resilience that go beyond their titles. Some faced unexpected job loss, others had to step out of their comfort zones or put family plans on hold to take on demanding leadership positions. Each story brought a deeper understanding of the sacrifices, difficult choices, and immense strength behind true leadership. It is this shared vulnerability and candour that I don't find in many other professional settings, and that have made the SGLN Fellowship especially invaluable. The SGLN Fellowship has been more than a leadership course. It’s been a journey of mutual growth, camaraderie, and support, and for anyone interested in signing up for their second cohort, I can wholeheartedly recommend the experience. I have included, in the comments, a link to the SGLN website, where you may learn more about the SGLN Fellowship and sign up for the second cohort. Photo of the inaugural cohort of SGLN Fellows, copyright of SGLN.

Applying for the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) Fellowship was the BEST decision I made last year, providing the much-needed clarity in my career journey. Initially I faced doubts: Do I want a global role? Am I qualified for the Fellowship? How can I balance work, family and a 9-month program? Speaking with the program manager Lucian Lee gave me the push I needed. I dedicated hours to my application, including getting a testimonial from my ex-manager Carle Quinn. Reflecting now, I'm grateful I didn’t disqualify myself. I decided that if I were to be rejected, it should be by someone else, not myself. Beyond the beautifully curated leadership module, fireside chats and workshops, my biggest takeaway was broadening my aspirational horizons through interactions with 59 other Fellows (specially curated to represent a variety of roles across industries) and my mentor Kulwant Bardh, Chartered FCIPD. Here are three mindset shifts I've experienced: 🤷♀️ Why not you?  Fellows like Harshil Raisinghani and Benjamin Tay asked why I wasn't at the top. My mentor Kulwant also asked, "Have you thought of becoming a CEO/MD?" My response to them was along the lines of, “I’m not good enough / as good as XX” not just because I’m a humble Asian but because I honestly felt the people who were chosen are good people whom I respect and enjoy working with. In fact, my response to the CEO/MD question was that it seemed like a “scary” proposition! But when three people asked me the same question, it became a reflection point for me because their belief in me highlighted my own underestimation of my potential. 🙌 “Do not de-select yourself.” Kulwant encouraged me to think about my Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). What did I really want in my life 20 years from now? A longer-term horizon meant that I could then identify gaps in knowledge, skills, network etc and become “good enough”, “as good as them” and “the best person for the job”. 🚦 Inaction should be an intentional decision.  Instead of just saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity (something which has helped me with my career growth in the last decade), I also have to start grappling with conflicting opportunities. Do I work in Singapore or overseas? Do I put myself up for a bigger job? How do I cope with this while balancing family and life commitments? In other words, how do I decide my next steps in my career? “Staying put” or “Remaining status quo” often feel like a cop-out in our high-achiever society, but I learned that if I weigh the decisions carefully, I can recognise when it's okay to say no because the timing is not right. If you're contemplating applying for the Fellowship (applications close on Nov 1!), I hope my insights shed light on the transformative inner work that Fellows like myself have experienced.

Choon Yen KHOO, a global leader in People Operations and an SGLN Fellow, describes the SGLN Fellowship as a turning point in her leadership journey.    With access to C-suite executives, dynamic workshops, and a community of forward-thinking leaders, the Fellowship equips you with the tools to thrive on a global scale. Our 2025 run includes two more components, an overseas learning journey and executive coaching.   If you're looking to take your leadership to the next level, this is your chance to join a transformative programme that connects you with senior mentors and like-minded peers.   Don't miss your chance to apply – applications close this Friday (1st November)!   🔗 Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gU-nvHb3   #SGLN #SGLNFellowship #GlobalLeadership 

It's that time again when we discuss our SGLN programming with industry veterans to gain their expert guidance. Today we thank business leader Jerrica Chooi, Country Holding Officer of ABB Singapore, and HR leader Vikram Cardozo, Global HR Head, Commercial Banking of HSBC, for being so generous with their feedback on how we can make our 2025 SGLN Fellowship even more impactful and more relevant! We are also very grateful to ABB and HSBC for being Strategic Partners of the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) ! At SGLN, we are committed to preparing Singaporeans for global leadership roles. Applications for our flagship programme close on November 1st. It's time to invest in your future! Details and registration here: https://lnkd.in/gU-nvHb3 #SGLN #Fellowship #GlobalLeaders