22 minute read
Thought Leadership: Maintaining Mental Health
1994 – 1999 Head of FX Sales Desk, Deutsche Bank, Hong Kong
2021 onwards Head of Private Bank, Singapore, Barclays Bank Singapore 2005 – 2007 Private Wealth Manager, Merrill Lynch Singapore 2007 – 2012 Senior Private Wealth Manager, Morgan Stanley Singapore
2014 – 2021 Market Team Head, UHNW Singapore, UBS Singapore 2012 – 2014 Chief Executive Officer, Magenta Advisors, Singapore
Evonne Tan
Head of Private Bank, Singapore
Barclays Bank Singapore
Modern day life may appear to be challenging and stressful. The job market is very competitive these days, and cost of living and expectations are high. There is also the pressure to conform, to keep up, to be “perfect” and have it all – a great career, a quality home life and family, time for travel around the world and a healthy lifestyle.
On top of that, with technology, everyone is expected to be switched on all the time. We are always connected, contactable and available, both for personal lives and work. It is easy to be pulled in many directions, leading to stress, anxiety and burnout. How do we manage all of this?
I think it is important that we answer a fundamental question about what we really want out of life. This is a very individual question with no right or wrong answer. We need to find time to step back, do some self-reflection and come to a deep understanding of what motivates us.
This will also change through time, so something important to you today may very well be different tomorrow. When you know what you want at any point in your life, you can prioritise. With that, you can find your focus and create your goals, which will help you manage your overall well-being.
I do not believe anyone can do it all, but those who do it well are those who know how to prioritise their life and adapt through time.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
My philosophy of life has always been about being positive and optimistic. To me, this means not taking yourself too seriously even if you are serious about what you do. To be able to achieve success in anything you do, you have to put in all your effort, you have to be well prepared and do your homework, be responsible and accountable for all that you do.
But as we go about achieving this, there will be times whereby things will not go as planned. Every one of us has experienced some form of a setback in life. We may have worked very hard, but yet we failed. These times lead to disillusionment, anxiety and/or stress. But these are also the times where we often have the biggest self-learnings and personal development.
It is often through setbacks that we are able to reflect and learn more about ourselves, and understand how we should improve and be better. That is the silver lining to any dark cloud and with that mindset, you will learn not to take things too seriously and stay positive and optimistic to handle all of life’s challenges and look to turn them into opportunities.
My advice to graduates
In the early years of your career, do as much as you can to accelerate your learning curve. Do not be afraid to ask questions and take on more responsibilities, because that is the only way to acquire knowledge and experience. You should also find good mentors to guide you. Nothing beats learning from experienced practitioners who will impart practical knowledge you cannot get from the textbook or classroom.
2009 – 2012 Associate, Vickers Venture Partners 2012 – 2014 Director of Corporate Development, Lotaris SA
2021 onwards Regional Managing Director, Shopee
Ian Ho
Regional Managing Director
Shopee
The global pandemic has changed greatly the growth trajectory of numerous industries. While it has accelerated the growth in the tech space, it has also caused a downturn in other industries like travel, food and beverage (F&B) and hospitality, among others.
Due to this, new graduates will have to re-think their career choices and many will have to choose career paths that may not be their first choice to begin with. For the lucky ones who are able to join an organisation of their choice, it will be an uphill struggle to assimilate into an entirely new culture and environment virtually. There will be difficulties forming relationships in the organisation, navigating complex structures and getting most things done. All of which would add to additional stress to any new graduate.
While I foresee that we will see some improvement in the next six months to a year, fresh graduates will need to be realistic that this is the new normal, they are joining the workforce in a notso-optimal time, and that the ability to adapt and being open to more options will allow them to have a higher chance of succeeding in this climate.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
As the pandemic has been evolving in the past two years with emerging variants, governments across the region are forced to constantly change their governing policies, very often with close to no notice period. This would naturally cause a lot of stress to be placed on businesses where previous plans are thrown out of the window, and new plans are put in place to deal with upcoming policies.
In the face of an ever-changing climate, there are three things that I do: • Accept that there is nothing I can do and live with it, which allows me to focus on solving the challenges instead of complaining about it; • Be razor-focused on solving key challenges instead of trying to solve everything. This allows me leave mental capacity for things that truly matter;
• Be highly adaptable. Adopt solutions quickly, double down if they make sense, or drop them if they do not.
My advice to graduates
I have two pieces of advice for graduates. Firstly, do not be too fixated on your previous career choices. Be objective about what industries are growing and keep an open mind about joining them as a rising tide lifts all boats.
And secondly, always keep a global mindset, as there are more opportunities outside of Singapore than within. The willingness to venture abroad at a young age while you are still relatively unencumbered will aid your career in the long run.
1991 – 1993 Relationship Manager, Local Corporate Group, Citi Malaysia
2000 – 2006 Global Transaction Services Head, Citi Malaysia
2013 – 2019 Singapore Citi Commercial Bank Head, Citi Singapore 1994 – 1995 Head, Local Corporate Group, Citi Malaysia 1995 – 1997 Vice President, Corporate Banking Group, Citi Malaysia
1998 – 1999 Corporate Finance and Analysis Head, Citi Malaysia 1997 – 1998 Vice President, Structured Securitisation, Citicorp Securities Inc. New York
2019 onwards ASEAN and Singapore Head, Citi Commercial Bank, Citi Singapore
Lin Hsiu-Yi
ASEAN and Singapore Head, Citi Commercial Bank
Financial sector firms – particularly banking institutions – have long been regarded as demanding environments in which employees work in a constantly connected, always-on, highly demanding work culture.
The current global pandemic comes on top of the pre-crisis challenges of the traditional banking business model: revenue pressure and lower profitability, tighter regulation and increasing competition from new digital entrants. As such, the pace and intensity of the work culture is unlikely to change.
With hybrid work arrangements likely to continue, it may be challenging for new employees to build an internal support network, and for managers to notice the signs that someone is struggling.
One of the challenges I faced over the past 18 months was how I could better support my team’s mental health, with most of us working from home and having little face-to-face interaction. What I found helpful was to check-in with each of my direct reports on a regular basis and to also ensure I had regular engagement with the broader team via informal “fireside chats”.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
In our daily work life, we constantly receive a large amount of information. While I may not be able to reduce the amount of information I receive, I try to be deliberate in compartmentalising different types of work activities, such as emailing, strategy or brainstorming and business-as-usual meetings – for instance, trying to set dedicated times of the day to do specific work-related activities and not others. This allows me to effectively process information and focus on the task at hand, and not be distracted by other activities.
I also try to take “detachment” breaks during the workday. Whether it is a 20-minute walk during lunch time or a five-minute break in between calls, I find these breaks help to reset my energy and attention. One of the benefits of working from home is that it allows me to take yoga breaks, as well.
It is also important to have a strong support network of family, friends and mentors. Staying in touch with them, especially during the lockdowns helped me to stay mentally healthy. Having a mentor also helped to give me perspective whenever I encountered a stressful period at work.
Finally, a critical resilience skill is to cultivate compassion – both selfcompassion and compassion for others. Compassion creates positive work relationships and increases cooperation and collaboration.
My advice to graduates
Open communication with your manager is important. Setting expectations about workloads, prioritising what must get done and understanding what can be put on hold if necessary, can all help to reduce anxiety.
While a strong social support network can help to keep you grounded, it is equally important to build your professional network. Having someone you trust, be it a manager or mentor, to help you navigate the workplace and seek advice from can help to reduce stress.
Remember, your career is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important to take care of your physical and mental well-being.
2004 – 2006 HR Manager, General Electric 2006 – 2009 Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank Bangalore 2009 Vice President, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank UK
2011 – 2016 Director, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank Singapore 2009 – 2011 Vice President, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank Bangalore
2016 onwards Regional Head of HR, Corporate Bank & Investment Bank, Asia Pacific, Deutsche Bank AG
Nishant Mihir
Deutsche Bank AG
The pandemic has had a profound effect on our well-being. Given the unprecedented times that we are living in, with mobility restrictions and social engagements substantially reduced, maintaining good mental health is a big challenge that we all collectively face.
This has been especially true for students and graduates, who have had to start their careers by working remotely. As they are unable to meet and engage with their colleagues, their integration into the workplace has become more challenging. This has prompted organisations to invest time and resources to help staff manage their mental health, and encourage colleagues to share their experiences with one another and learn from it.
Although there is currently a lot of stigma on this topic, staff can be trained on how to continue to engage and have open dialogue to remove the stigma and take decisive and timely actions to help and support colleagues and loved ones.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
Here is what I did, and I believe most of us can do, too: • Talk about your thoughts, ideas and views with your friends, family and colleagues; • Be sure to go outdoors to experience nature and improve your health – whether it is just a stroll, cycling or any other activity that you enjoy. It is even better if you can play a sport with your friends; • Always ask how others are doing.
My advice to graduates
Bring your entire self to work – both professional and personal. Express yourself fully, learn new things and seek out new experiences. Most importantly, build your network within the organisation. That will take you a long away in your career.
2007 – 2008 Executive, Learning & Development, C K Tangs Ltd 2008 – 2013 Consultant, The Aardvark Pte Ltd
2021 Assistant Vice-President, HR (People Analytics & Insights), ST Engineering Ltd 2018 – 2020 Assistant Director, Human Resource & Talent Development, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd
2021 onwards Associate HR Director, HOYA Technosurgical Corporation 2015 – 2016 Manager, Learning & Development, Singtel
2016 – 2018 Assistant Director, HR, Constellar Holdings Pte Ltd
Daphne Toh
Associate HR Director
HOYA Technosurgical Corporation
I think graduates may struggle with anxiety and burnout in the early years of their career. If there is no checkpoint to gauge and rein in the degree of “damage”, a myriad of other more serious mental health issues, such as chronic depression, may easily creep up. With the less than desirable combination of societal, professional and personal expectations, as well as the compounded need to constantly adapt to the everchanging landscape that seems to happen at warp speed, graduates who enter the workforce will experience the race to simply “keep up”. For some, it is a marathon with no finishing line in sight.
At my age, expectations are less of a bother, so my bugbear is really with technology. With the “new norm”, organisations are embarking on “technology for technology’s sake” without giving much thought to the impact of mental health first, then productivity. I find such collaboration tools and messaging services a distraction from the deep, thinking work which requires some level of solitude. Imagine trying to think straight and draw up a strategic framework while having four different apps pinging notifications – and you wonder why employees are stressed, low in productivity and soon to be disengaged.
I am sure graduates who are digital natives have much more “pinging” happening to them. Technology that was once seen as an enabler with all its snazzy social collaboration tools sets the expectation that employees are to be “on call” 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This makes all of us highly connected and communicative, yet socially void. If we are not attentive and design our organisational ecosystems to be not just human-centric, but humane, things can only go downhill from here.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
I have had my fair share of professional and personal trials and tribulations, and three principles have kept me balanced and hopeful – the concept of impermanence, choosing kindness and practising self-care. Impermanence is a reminder that everything is in a natural state of flux which means that the bad times – and good times – will eventually pass. I turn up bravely on bad days knowing I will get a good day soon, which I relish, then wash, rinse, repeat.
Kindness is actively choosing to be gentle and compassionate to oneself first because life is hard enough without beating yourself down. As for the rest of the world, everyone has a story of pain and struggle. And if we are unkind, we do not deserve to hear them, to understand, to learn.
Self-care is my holy grail. Being a working mother, I love being with my family, but I also guard my time to recharge and rejuvenate. I seek out nature, read or run, and do so solo for about an hour each day.
My advice to graduates
Whatever you eventually choose to do, learn to slow down, simplify and take care of yourself. There is no rush to get “anywhere”, there is no need to complicate “matters”, and there is no need to “empty” yourself for the sake of work or others.
2014 – 2016 Associate, Tan Kok Quan Partnership 2017 – 2020 Senior Associate, Tan Kok Quan Partnership
2021 onwards Partner, Tan Kok Quan Partnership
Geraint Kang
Partner
Tan Kok Quan Partnership
With many offices adopting work from home arrangements, the boundaries between work, family and leisure time have become especially blurred. In the past, the commute home offered the opportunity to wind down and detach from the demands of the workplace. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to transit immediately from a difficult Zoom meeting to dinner with family members. While making the physical trip to the dining table is easy, the mental challenge of having to immediately code-switch and be mentally present at all times is much harder.
With everyone working remotely, it has also become easier to feel isolated and alone, especially for new hires, who may not have had the opportunity to interact with their colleagues in person. Being part of a good team makes it easier to weather challenges together. Unfortunately, with less opportunities for water cooler conversations and casual banter, it has become harder to build personal connections with colleagues.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
I have found that it is more important than ever to establish boundaries and carve out time to recharge – be it spending time with family or focusing on hobbies. I also try to plan ahead, so that I always have something to look forward to each week. Even when things are hectic, I also try to spend some time each day on something that I want to do. I find a small accomplishment each day, no matter how minor, can help maintain a sense of progress and achievement, which in turn gives me more confidence and energy to face the next day ahead.
My advice to graduates
Focus on developing a sustainable career – many fresh lawyers are all too eager to trade personal happiness and mental health for prestige or financial compensation. But more often than not, the exchange rate is pretty terrible. Personally, rather than just seeing work as a necessary hardship, I think it is important to find something about your work that you enjoy and to find meaning and satisfaction in the work that you do. Thankfully, the legal industry encompasses a wide variety of different sectors and activities, and it is not impossible to find one or multiple aspects that can keep you going.
I think it is also important to build a positive support group – whether of friends, colleagues or mentors. Many others have gone through the same challenges as you have, and you should not feel afraid to open up to others for help and advice when you are struggling.
Finally, be honest with yourself. You are the best judge of your own limits. Challenge yourself and do not be afraid to fail. But at the same time, you should never feel pressured to sacrifice your own health for someone else’s expectations.
Lau Geok Chin
Regional Sales Manager
Ariston Thermo Group
1996 – 1998 Marketing Executive, Prudential Assurance Company Singapore Pte Ltd
2016 – 2017 Founder and Business Development Manager, Liftech Solutions Pte Ltd
2017 – 2018 Export Sales Manager, Assa Abloy Entrance System Pte Ltd 1998 – 2000 Market Analyst (Asia Pacific), Otis Elevator Inc. 2000 – 2010 Deputy Sales Manager, Otis Elevator Singapore Pte Ltd
2015 – 2016 Senior New Equipment Sales Manager, Sigma Elevator Singapore Pte Ltd 2010 – 2015 Regional Sales Manager, Avire Global Pte Ltd
2018 onwards Regional Sales Manager, Ariston Thermo Group
The domestic water heating industry is a very retail-based business where interaction with end consumers, dealers and distributing partners is very crucial. With this new norm where borders are closed, travelling is not conducive and interaction is reduced to just mere images, videos, emails and texts and calls, it loses the personal touch and sometimes makes me wonder whether I am really building business and relationships by sitting on my chair, in front of the notebook at home.
Because everything has become so virtual since early 2020, sales is just a number that you are chasing, but not the real satisfaction in seeing the smile on your customers’ faces when they enjoy interacting with you and being happy with the solutions you are providing.
It can be a lonely experience because whenever you end the call and shut off your computer, there is no more interaction on a personal level, such as going for a drink or dinner with your counterparts after a meeting in person. In fact, while technology eases communication, people can “hide” better behind texts, emails and phone calls and it makes interaction superficial.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
Daily morning and evening meditation, and my daily gym classes help to keep me sane. While this pandemic is creating havoc and has grounded me for almost two years now, I remind myself that nothing is permanent and business will be back as usual one fine day when the right conditions arise. Though the economic landscape may not be identical to what it was before the pandemic, I am still hopeful that borders will open and travelling for business and leisure returns to “normal”.
While I remain grounded, I can use this time to learn something new. I took up lessons and courses such as piano, coding, inbound marketing, a diploma in Japanese and studied in detail great treatises such as the “Final Exposition of Wisdom” by Tsong-KhaPa. These are things that I could not really indulge when I was travelling often before the pandemic.
My advice to graduates
It is important to remember that life is not just about having a great career, a nice job title and earning big bucks. While society at large measures success just by these yard sticks, we have to understand what the meaning of life is.
To me, life is a journey to learn about being a kinder and better person. While I try to enjoy and derive satisfaction from what I am doing, I strive to subdue my mind, get rid of negative mental afflictions and cultivate more positive emotions.
Though morbid, I also try to remind myself constantly of death and impermanence. Death is certain and time of death is uncertain. Being stressed about getting a great career while making your life miserable is pure naivety. It is important to prioritise the well-being of others and your own mental happiness over getting a fat pay cheque and a nice title.
2002 – 2005 PhD Researcher, University of Oxford 2005 – 2010 Researcher, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) 2010 – 2013 Sub-Chief Advisor and Expert on Climate Change, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
2013 onwards Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sustainability & Resilience (su-re.co) 2013 – 2015 Freelance Consultant, United Nations, Asia Development Bank, JICA and SEI
Dr Takeshi Takama
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Uncertainties are more significant than ever before in this COVID-19 pandemic. But they are not only coming from the pandemic, but also other environmental, social and technological changes. For instance, I am still forced to work remotely and cannot make business trips. In the past, I would travel to Africa and Europe several times a year for project meetings, research and consulting, but now I cannot do this.
Moreover, with IT development and the fight against climate change, we probably do not already travel as much as before. Although travel restrictions are good for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, they are also a barrier to consulting and research jobs.
Even if we manage to reduce our net carbon dioxide emissions to zero by 2050, we will have experienced global warming of a 2°C-rise since the Industrial Revolution by the end of the century. This scenario means we will have to adapt to changes in the environment that we have not experienced before. Keeping up with these changes will be a challenge for us now and in the future.
How I stay mentally healthy and resilient
We cannot stop social and environmental problems and their technological solutions. In fact, both may threaten our careers. We can only anticipate the changes, make sure that they are suitable for humanity, and prepare to adapt ourselves to them.
Towards the end of my PhD at the University of Oxford, I read the book “Luck is No Accident: Make the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career”. It was about preparing for changes, and I still apply that approach to every aspect of being resilient, focusing on the skills I can develop and not getting too attached to a particular goal.
I do not deny that you can set goals, but the idea is that being aware of the opportunities in front of you will help you succeed, rather than sticking to ingrained goals and limiting your possibilities. For example, I said, “I will work for the World Bank” during my scholarship interview before entering the University of Oxford. But rather than setting a goal of working towards the World Bank, I should have switched my thoughts to “I want to do something useful for society and the environment”, so I could look for more opportunities to grow.
My advice to graduates
Focusing on developing your skills and finding opportunities in the industries and sectors you are passionate about is an excellent way to think about your career in an uncertain world. The more you are interested in something, the more likely you will find information that will lead to opportunities. And you are willing to learn more if you like the industry.
Also, the need for sustainability, which I have worked in for two decades, will continue to grow. Governments and NGOs are leading the way in sustainability, but business is the engine that drives it. So, I would like to see more and more people from business schools entering the world of sustainability.
