Cheng Chuah's Advice to His Younger Self
If you could write to your younger self, what would you say?
Mr Tan Cheng Chuah, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of CPG Corporation, reflects on nearly 30 years in construction and project management to share the lessons, experiences, and insights that have shaped his journey.
Learning Through Action
Do not be afraid to dive in and learn by doing. The most valuable lessons come from rolling up your sleeves, tackling real challenges, and taking time to reflect on what works and what doesn’t. I was fortunate to have mentors who showed me the importance of learning through action. Pay close attention to how they approach problems, make decisions, and overcome obstacles and these lessons will offer you practical insights that you can make your own. Most importantly, commit fully to every experience as that is how your skills and understanding will grow in ways no textbook can teach.
Over time, I realised that leadership develops in the same way. It comes not from courses or titles but from being present, paying attention, and learning through action. By observing how others led, the choices they made, the values they upheld, and even the mistakes they made, I began shaping my own approach. Leadership is less about words and more about consistency in action, showing fairness, accountability, and respect in every situation. These lessons, absorbed and applied with intent, became the foundation of how I lead today.
Be Firm but Flexible
I started as a project engineer nearly 30 years ago, working on sites where the personnel and subcontractors were highly skilled but deeply set in their ways. In my eagerness to make an impact, I sometimes came across too forcefully, believing that toughness would earn credibility.
A senior mentor once offered me advice in Chinese that has stayed with me: “做人做事要七分硬，三分软,” which translates to seventy percent firmness and thirty percent flexibility. I came to understand that respect is earned, not demanded, and that real credibility comes from what you know and can do. By taking the time to understand how others see things and consistently delivering results, people naturally come to trust my judgment and reliability. Over time, I realised that effectiveness is not about trying to appear strong or assert authority, but about being capable, fair, and accountable in everything I do.
Turn Challenges into Learning Opportunities
Do not shy away from projects that push you beyond your comfort zone. When I was involved in the Fire Tornado Exhibit at Science Centre Singapore, I had to bring a six-metre-tall spinning flame to life using carefully controlled airflow. Working alongside Dr. Tsai Her-Mann, the Science Centre’s resident inventor, taught me the value of patience, curiosity, and learning from people with different expertise.
Step into areas where you have little prior experience, tackle technical challenges head-on, and embrace the uncertainty. Navigating unfamiliar problems will not only strengthen your skills but also expand your perspective. Projects that seem daunting at first often leave a lasting impact, inspire future ideas, and create opportunities you could not have imagined.
Explore Every Opportunity
Never limit yourself to what is expected of your role. On site, every encounter, whether with equipment, materials, methods or contracts, is an opportunity to learn. Take the time to understand what others are doing and how all the pieces of a project fit together.
The day you stop exploring is the day your growth slows. By stepping beyond your comfort zone, asking questions and paying attention to every detail, you build the knowledge, confidence and perspective that will guide every project and every decision you make.