At the end of the recent Singapore Civil Defence Force Senior Leaders and Commanders (SLC) Systems Thinking Habits Programme, a senior officer shared, something to this effect with me in front of the class:
“I thought systems thinking would be dry and hard to apply. But I was completely proven wrong. I now walk away with habits I can use. I see how they help me make better decisions and maybe even save lives. I even thought AI would replace instructors. But now I know, AI can’t replace what you did as an instructor.”
That stayed with me.
Back in 2022, I ran into Commissioner Eric YAP at a HomeTeamNS dinner. He was familiar with my work through years of volunteering and my time as Chief Information & Learning Officer at Monde Nissin Corporation. I had just stepped out on my own. He encouraged me to explore how I might contribute to SCDF, connecting me to their CLO. Nothing moved immediately, but I stayed the course.
In 2023, I was invited to deliver my Systems Thinking Habits Programme for the SLC. There was no SkillsFuture funding; it was just trust. I gave my all.
🦠 Then COVID hit. I tested positive days before the programme. Day 1 went online. Days later, after a negative test, I showed up masked for Day 2, because I didn’t want to let anyone down.
The feedback was strong. But more importantly, I kept serving beyond the sessions. If one better decision in ops saves one life, it’s all worth it. 💡
Earlier this year, SCDF entrusted me to conduct the same programme for senior commanders from Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA). 🌍 Despite language barriers, powerful bonds were formed, and many remain connected today.
This July, two years on, I was honoured to return and work with another outstanding SLC cohort. Seeing leaders challenge assumptions, think deeply, and laugh together reminded me why I do what I do.
As a former NS KAH and HomeTeam NSman of the Year with Singapore Police Force, serving the Home Team isn’t just something I did; it’s part of who I am.
🙏 To the senior SPF leaders I looked up to as my role models during my NS days (Commissioner Hoong Wee Teck, Daniel Tan, Manimaran Pushpanatan, Arthur Law, Melvin Yong, Gerald Lim, Lee Chin Ek, Lu Yeow Lim, @Chua Chee Wai, Teo Kian Teck, Lee Su Peng), you inspired me. I’ve never stopped wanting to be like you.
📣 To leaders in Singapore Police Force, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Prison Service, or the wider Home Team Academy , Ministry of Home Affairs Singapore, if you’re looking to equip your teams with clarity, confidence and courage through systems thinking habits, I’m always here to support.
📸 Sharing snapshots from the latest SLC, where serious learning met real joy. Systems thinking isn’t dry. It’s human. I am confident that when used right, it will help save lives.