Siong Guan Lim Libri

Lim Siong Guan, Singapore's former Head of Civil Service (1999-2005) was the Institute of Policy Studies' 4th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book contains edited versions of the three IPS-Nathan Lectures he gave between September and November 2017, and highlights of his dialogue with the audience. Lim addresses the question, "Can Singapore Fall?", by examining the state of Singapore today and proposing what Singapore and Singaporeans must do in order to prevent economic and social decline. Taking inspiration from Sir John Glubb's essay, The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival, Lim urges Singaporeans to counter decline by observing the "three legs of honour" Trust, Diversity, and Excellence. These include becoming a gracious society and building up a culture of innovation, excellence and outwardness. Lim also reminds us that cultural change takes a generational effort to effect; for change to happen, Singaporeans must thus act with urgency and act now for the well-being of future generations. The IPS-Nathan Lectures series was launched in 2014 as part of the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore. The S R Nathan Fellow delivers a series of lectures during their term to advance public understanding and discussion of issues of critical national interest.

We all like to win. But what exactly does it mean to win in life and how can we win ... and win with Honour?The purpose of this book is to invite you and your child to think about what 'winning in life' actually means. What is success? How do you define success? What makes for a successful life?This is particularly important in a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). In a fast-changing world, there are no 'maps' because no one has gone that way before. When there are no 'maps', we need a good inner 'compass' to guide us in life -- this 'compass' comprises the values that make us better human beings.The right values will also prepare your child for the world of big data and digitalization. To survive and thrive in this world, your child must not only excel at technology, but also at humanity because after total efficiency is achieved via technology, the value of any business or organisation will be contingent on human and other non-digitalisable elements such as purpose and empathy.May you and your child win in life with Honour!