DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY WITH FAR EAST ORGANIZATION SINCE 2004. LANDMARK FEATURES A ROUND-UP OF THE SERIES IN 2009.

MR CHEW HUA SENG (LEFT),
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RAFFLES EDUCATION
CORPORATION LIMITED AND MR G.L. YAP,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROPERTY SERVICES

Every cloud has a silver lining, as Mr Chew Hua Seng found out in an episode that indirectly led to a career-defining education investment 20 years ago.
In a nutshell, the former timber businessman took out an injunction against a supplier whom he had extended US$1 million to for a batch of goods which failed to arrive. At the lawyer's office, he met someone from LASALLE College who happened to be looking for a partner to establish a fashion school in Singapore. After a brief 15-minute conversation, Mr Chew had made up his mind to invest in the school - the first of many more that came under the Raffles Education brand.
Defining the responsibilities of a CEO, he feels that one must have a sound knowledge of business and law, basic accounting and auditing principles. As the public face of the company, the CEO must also be able to take charge, show courage and offer concrete solutions when crisis strikes.
"When it comes to meeting business targets,
the CEO must be focussed while executing his plans and be able to persevere through the ups and downs in the journey towards the business objectives," shares Mr Chew, whose faith as a Christian provides him with the moral compass to steer his team. To him, the key to leadership is the heart, which shapes character. Citing the Bible, "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4), he emphasises that success is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration.A successful leader is also constantly self-reflective, especially when it comes to human resource.

"The people working with, and under you, like to be respected, motivated and forgiven when mistakes are made. Be patient and tolerant, guide your people and reward them when they do well. Being people-oriented will bring the best out of your team," he says, adding that a good leader is also able to groom a successor who can do better and take over the leader's role competently.

HALLMARK OF A GOOD LEADER: BEING ABLE TO GROOM A SUCCESSOR WHO CAN DO BETTER.