MikeLigalig.com

http://www.nytimes.com/
By SETH MYDANS
MARCH 22, 2015





SINGAPORE â€" Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and first prime minister of Singapore who transformed that tiny island outpost into one of the wealthiest and least corrupt countries in Asia, died on Monday morning. He was 91.

“The prime minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding prime minister of Singapore,” a statement posted on the prime minister’s official website said. “Mr. Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3:18 am.”

Mr. Lee was prime minister from 1959, when Singapore gained full self-government from the British, until 1990, when he stepped down. Late into his life he remained the dominant personality and driving force in what he called a First World oasis in a Third World region.

LEE KUAN YEW
LEADERSHIP LESSONS

1. Say it as it is

One of Lee’s most obvious qualities is that he is a frank and straightforward talker that minces no words. He is not afraid to be blunt about certain truths and he sometimes gets on people’s nerves for doing so.

However, you cannot argue that his approach has yielded results.

The best thing you can do for your team is to acknowledge and speak the truth. It might hurt a few people, ruffle a few feathers, but to frame things as they are and allowing your team to face the truth is probably the best favor you can do for them.

Although some might be offended or feel uncomfortable, you will gain a lot of respect for doing so. People know that they can trust you.

2. Plan your leadership succession

Lee planned for the people that will take over him years before he actually stepped down as Prime Minister. He saw the importance of raising up the next generation of leaders to lead the nation.

The saying goes, there is no success without a successor. To be successful as a leader, your organization must transcend you and you must be humble enough to acknowledge that.

If you are indispensable to your organization, then your organization will not last after you're gone. You need to strive to build an organization centered around a mission or purpose rather than an organization centered around you.

3. The power of tenacity

Lee had gone through his toughest period when Malaysia chose to separate itself from Singapore. Him shedding tears on public television marked one of the most historic moments in Singapore history.

However, he never gave up, strengthened his resolve and continued to believe that he could develop Singapore into what he envisioned it to be.

A leader must have this resolve to just press on no matter how difficult the circumstances. In fact, it is this quality that separates the good from the excellent. Everyone can lead well when circumstances are favorable, but it is the times of adversity that distinguishes you as an excellent leader.

Moreover, when you choose to press on, you will develop a tenacity and persistence that will carry you through your leadership journey.

BEST QUOTES FROM
LEE KUAN YEW LEADERSHIP


“Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is going wrong, I will get up.”

"Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I’m meaningless.”

"Supposing Catherine Lim was writing about me and not the prime minister...She would not dare, right? Because my posture, my response has been such that nobody doubts that if you take me on, I will put on knuckle-dusters and catch you in a cul de sac...Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society."

"... If you can't think because you can't chew, try a banana", 2000. Lee was responding to a BBC reporter who suggested that Singapore's draconian laws (including the ban on chewing gum) could stifle the people's creativity.

"Low salaries will draw in the hypocrites who sweet talk their way into power in the name of public service, but once in charge will show their true colour, and ruin the country."