Daily Lesson from Life 07 March 2009

"Rotary honours MM Lee with highest award
Achievements include creating an unrivalled education and public health care system.
-->Sat, Mar 07, 2009 The Business Times

MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has joined the likes of former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, former US president Bill Clinton and former South African president Nelson Mandela to be honoured with Rotary International's highest recognition.


He was conferred the Rotary International Award of Honour last night by the 104-year-old service club organisation best known for its initiatives to eradicate polio.

So far, about 12 people have been given the award, which recognises exemplary contributions to humanitarian services through leadership on major policies or initiatives.


Rotary International president Dong Kurn Lee, who presented the award to Mr Lee, told BT that the club, which has 1.2 million members worldwide, is focusing this year on reducing infant mortality.

He said that Mr Lee has created an unrivalled education and public health care system that has made Singapore the country with the world's lowest infant mortality rate.


Responding to the award, Mr Lee quoted a Chinese proverb that says when the coffin is closed, then the final verdict. 'When I am praised on occasions, such as for honorary degrees, I keep my sense of proportion by recalling this proverb,' he said. 'After I have left the scene, the biographers, historians and editors will track my career and pronounce their verdicts.'

Mr Lee said that in developed societies, especially the US, voluntary welfare organisations have sprouted like mushrooms and offer help beyond what the state can give.


'When help is funded and administered by enthusiastic supporters, the benefits are greater and there is more appreciation for the donors,' he said. 'State-funded welfare, administered by officials, is impersonal and taken for granted. After a while, the welfare benefits are considered entitlements.'

To date, Rotarians have raised more than US$800 million. The figure is tipped to hit US$1 billion by 2012. The Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation is a recent contributor, giving US$355 million so far."

MM Lee is a great man without doubt. Nobody in his right frame of mind will deny what he has done for Singapore. The prosperity and progress from a backward natural resources poor new nation destined for failure made are all for to see! These are real, and some called it: 'miraculous' achievements.

I am very please with his ability to keep these honors in perspective. This is one way to keep one's feet firmly on the ground and not fall into the trap of narcissism.

Lessons for me are:

1. when you are good and got recognized, accept the honor sincerely. At the same time, remind yourself that it is not the end of the road. You have to keep working hard and humbly;

2. for every praise that you received, ask yourself if there are one more thing you can do better! In that way, you keep yourself humble and not fall in love with your yourself!;

3. it is important to keep companies that are willing to tell you what you are not good at and improve upon them than to surround yourself with 'Yes' men and women that will weaken your resolve to guard against complacency. Deliberately ask for 3 things each day that you did not do well and keep improving upon them.

MM Lee is right that the ultimate judgement will be at the end of our earth life. For me, as a leader of myself at least, I will be at peace with myself if I know I have given my best to be a good human being, father, husband, and son. Every accolades or awards or trophies I collected will be meaningless.