Diversity in Thoughts. Kindness in Leadership.
Reflections from two extraordinary evenings celebrating change-makers
I had the privilege of attending two extraordinary events last month - the British High Commission reception 🇬🇧 and the Women of the Future Programme Southeast Asia gala dinner 🌏. Both evenings left me with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper understanding of what leadership truly means. ✨
Kindness Is a Strategic Advantage
At the British High Commission, we gathered at the iconic Eden Hall to celebrate the 2024 Kindness and Leadership Listees and the Women of the Future Awards nominees. His Excellency Nikesh Mehta OBE, the British High Commissioner to Singapore, hosted us alongside thought-provoking speeches by Vicki Treadell CMG MVO (British High Commissioner to Australia and formerly to Malaysia) and Pinky Lilani CBE DL, Founder of Women of the Future.
One insight landed hard: People often think kindness is a feel-good gesture - it's a strategic advantage. It's one of the toughest things to do: to tell someone to do better in a nice way. This powerful dimension of leadership requires real strength and a commitment to uplift others.
Kindness fosters an environment of trust and unity, especially in challenging times. It helps teams navigate an increasingly complex world - not by softening the truth, but by creating the psychological safety needed to hear it and act on it.
The Next Generation Is Already Leading
The awards gala dinner celebrated change-makers paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. Their initiatives spanned human-rights lawyering, low-cost sustainable air purifiers, advanced life-saving medical equipment, arts for good, sports for her, and so much more.
Hearing their stories - brimming with resilience, creativity, and hope - moved me to tears more than once. 🙏
The next generation of leaders is proving age is no barrier to impactful contribution. Some of these amazing women are 18, 22 years old, leading transformative initiatives that inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. They're not waiting for permission. They're building the future now.
Collaboration and Community Are the Path Forward
A theme that echoed through both evenings: collaboration and community empowerment are essential to sustainable progress. By lifting each other up, we achieve greater results and build a future that benefits all.
This isn't abstract. I saw it in every conversation, every story shared. Whether it was a founder partnering with local communities to distribute air purifiers or a lawyer building coalitions to defend human rights - the work that lasts is the work we do together.
Diversity and Kindness Are Imperatives
Both events reminded me that diversity and kindness are not just ideals; they are imperatives. In AI, in business, in leadership - we need diverse perspectives to build systems that serve everyone. And we need kindness to create the trust required to collaborate across difference.
To all the change-makers I met - Imraan Lilani, Shea Pin Soo, Inch Chua, Chloe Sng, Sarinah Ziziumiza, Andrew Millar, Man Jing Kong 江曼菁, Vicheika Kann, Sreymom Hok, Rupen Desai, Carmina Bayombong, Kirthika Senthil Kumar, Barbara Dossetter, Daniel Boey, Edwina Chin, Vinich Virak, Madiha Fuad, Thany Ry, Sherrie Xiaoyu Huang, Tina Redshaw, Urvi Guglani, Zar Li Aye, Jacqueline Chie Sze Huan, and many more - thank you for making these moments unforgettable.
Here's to building a future rooted in diverse thought and kind leadership. Together, we can. 💡
#AlwaysDay1 #WomenInTech #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #KindnessInLeadership #WomenOfTheFuture #Community
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The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or any organisation I am affiliated with.