Shao Yen's Advice to His Younger Self
If you could write to your younger self, what would you say?
Amid the hustle of busy days and constant decision-making, we rarely pause to reflect. We invited our President and Group CEO, Mr Tan Shao Yen, to do just that — look back on his journey and share the advice he would offer to his younger self, both in work and life.
Skills Get You Started, Values Guide You Forward
When I started my career with HDB as a young architect, I focused on designing and project administration of public housing and amenities, e.g. market and neighbourhood centre. Such experience helped build up my technical foundation in architectural services. Later, I joined a private architectural firm and through residential, nursing home, military camp, and MRT projects, I not only continued to build up both the professional skills but had also gained an initial understanding of architectural practice as a business. Architects must not only be professionally competent, understand the business landscape, as well as the diverse needs of our society that interact with our practice.
Over time, I realised that professional and technical skill is only one part of the equation. What stays with people, and what guides you through tougher decisions, is how you work with others, and how true you are to the principles you stand for. After joining CPG, I had the opportunity to work alongside people who lead with integrity and respect, and together with the guidance of my mentors and leaders throughout the various organisations, their values and principles have helped shape who I am today.
Don’t Jump to Conclusions
There will be instances where you feel pressured to act quickly but clarity rarely comes when you are rushing or making rash assumptions. I learned, sometimes the hard way, that taking shortcuts or making hasty decisions can often lead to mistakes and create new problems, rather than solving existing ones.
Even now, I remind myself to exercise the wisdom to pause and hold back when needed. Some of the best and most lasting solutions have come not from knowing everything immediately, but from having deeper conversations making efforts to see situations from different angles. By accepting that I may not have all the answers in the first instance, I allow myself to stay open-minded and thoughtful in finding the answers.
Have a Growth Mindset
As an architect, I used to see things mostly through the lens of design; how to make spaces work and how to bring visions to life. However, as my responsibilities grew, I realised the importance of broadening my perspective. This meant learning to see the larger picture, understanding how businesses operate, how society and systems function, and how decisions are often made beyond the drawing board.
By learning to see things from a broader perspective, it does not mean that I have to change what I believe or what I value. It simply means that I will have deeper insight into how I could align interests to realise those values within a larger, interconnected decision-making process and value systems.
Having a growth mindset means being open to learning, especially when things do not go as planned. Some of the most meaningful lessons came not just from achieving what I had intended, but from navigating unexpected changes. A sudden change in direction, a setback, or a delay will obviously present challenges, but they are also opportunities for creative solutions. While problems can be uncomfortable, there is often more than one way to resolve them and it is up to us to find the courage and resourcefulness to find the solutions. With each challenge I overcome, I grow a little more.
Make Time for Yourself
Work will demand a lot from you, and there will be times when it feels impossible to slow down. But not everything has to be serious, lighthearted moments can often get you through the tougher ones.
I have come to appreciate the value of small routines. Simple activities like reading, walking, reflection, and spending time with loved ones may seem ordinary, but they help to recharge your energy and offer a much-needed perspective. As a Christian, seaking strengths from God is certainly one of the routine. As a leader, it is not just about making decisions or achieving goals. It is also about being present, and you cannot do that if you are constantly running on empty.
Have the Courage to Learn As You Do
The road ahead will not always be clear and
sometimes what you have planned may not turned out as intended.
What matters is that
you continue to learn, through observing, listening, and face up to the challenges.
Let every step, be it success or set back, teach you
something that shapes your journey, and enjoy the journey.