Daily Lesson from Life 31 July 2008

The last day of July 2008! 7 months have passed us by. Fast! Quietly slipped away!

"Thu, Jul 31, 2008 The Straits Times Singapore's success not about PAP or opposition

I AM from the same senior-citizen generation as Mr Lee Choon Wah, who wrote the laudatory letter last Saturday, 'Opposition yet to show it can deliver'.

In the past few decades, this generation lent its unquestioning support and blind loyalty to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) Government.

Taking its place will be a new generation of younger, better-educated and Internet-savvy Singaporeans who can think, read between the lines and add two and two to make five.

The PAP Government can rightly claim some but not all credit for Singapore's success so far.

Its hardworking people, favourable time zone and geographical location have also contributed to its development as a financial centre and an air and sea hub.

Put simply, had the PAP governed Timbuktu in Africa, would the outcome have been similar?

Singapore's continued survival must depend ultimately on the collective input and teamwork spirit of its politicians, civil servants and people. No one group has a monopoly on ideas or can claim all credit for Singapore's achievements. Each group makes its share of contribution, big or small."

There were a few contributions to the forum on Singapore as the National Day approaches on 9 August 2008! For me the lessons are clear and simple:

1. an idea is NOT a good idea. A good idea can only come from lots of diverse of ideas and we pick the best one from the lot;

2. to have many diverse ideas, we need to have many different people who are willing to contribute. People who are encouraged to contribute. People who know that they have to be responsible for their comments and the impact as long as they are prepared to engage in a two way dialogue;

3. the leaders have a lot of power to creating an open and trusting environment where everyone with different ideas will speak out knowing that each point will be discussed on it's merit. That there is a culture of agreeing to disagreed. That the ideas that get accepted and adopted do not make those whose ideas did not get accepted and adopted any less competent.

When item 2 and 3 are achieved, item 1 will be a reality.

Leaders, be ready for the rest of year to be open, explore the best ideas among many ideas, encourage the people to articulate their ideas, listen and agreed mutually the most appropriate ideas for that time and moment!