Crystal Lim-Lange

"SingPost should have disclosed internal wrongdoing once the facts had been established." I agree. Their initial press statement was opaque, and did not give stakeholders enough information- and who are SingPost's stakeholders? All of Singapore. Getting these decisions right, and executed correctly is tricky? I agree. If you are a SME. I mean if the audit committee did their due diligence, followed protocol and the process was fair enough - then firing the 3 senior managers is the right move. Removing them immediately then would have been consistent too. Explaining it properly to Singapore is the next right course of action - and to do it just before X'mas over a weekend, the window to get it right was short - and the stakes were high. And that - they fumbled. Should Singtel review the SingPost board? I am sure they 'do' it all the time; but this time, the board executed the right decision (Note: right - pending legal process as the managers have sued for wrongful dismissal) wrongly. So how?

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Mental illnesses are on the rise. Not only in Singapore, but everywhere else around the world. However, it is important to remember that is is one of the more indeterministic medical conditions because psychosomatic mental pathways are not well understood. It is important therefore to engage with living breathing human beings constantly in order to receive constant true reflections of your own mental wellness back into yourself so that you are informed and current about your own presentation to others. Isolation has always been the culprit to a host of mental ailments and it is with good reason. Most times, people just prefer to keep their conditions bottled up, and when feedback loops find not real outlet, it gradually grows in pressure. Until one day…. As you would expect, we become uninsurable because of a psychologist’s diagnosis… Until we are fully and unconditionally discharged from our mental conditions (which could take decades of our lives), we won’t be able to insure ourselves against pure risks. Some have asked: “Why the lengthy diagnosis”. In response, I will always shake my head and say that “because psychologists themselves don’t even know the root causes to such afflictions.” Agree?

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It's been 56 months since Covid hit Singapore in April 2020. Half of that time (28 months) was "official" pandemic mode. (April 2020 to August 2022) The other half? We've been figuring out this new normal for the last 28 months. Here's what I've learned about business resilience: 1. Digital isn't optional - it's oxygen Companies that embraced tech thrived. Those that didn't... struggled. 2. Flexibility is the new competitive edge Remote work, hybrid models - adapt or get left behind. 3. Customer experience is everything In a world of distance, how you make people feel matters more than ever. 4. Innovation isn't just for tech companies Every industry had to reimagine itself. The most creative survived. 5. Community matters Building genuine connections (online and off) became a superpower. What's your biggest business lesson from the past 56 months? #BusinessResilience #DigitalTransformation

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Singaporeans are more concerned about wrinkles than wisdom. A recent survey reveals that *43%* of Singaporeans consider looking young a priority as they age. But here's the real question: What does this say about our society? 👉 Instead of embracing the richness that comes with experience and wisdom, we're fixated on superficial appearances. Why are we so afraid of showing our age? Why is there a stigma around wrinkles, gray hair, and the natural signs of life lived? 🔍 It's not just about Botox and facelifts; it's about the value we're placing on appearance over substance. When we prioritize looking young over meaningful pursuits like learning new skills or enjoying hobbies, we're reinforcing ageist stereotypes and marginalizing the elderly. 💡 Agencies and organizations need to do more than just cater to superficial concerns. They should challenge these societal norms and promote a healthier, more balanced view of aging - one that values wisdom, self-acceptance, and genuine well-being over a futile chase to stay young. Let's redefine what it means to age gracefully. It's not about hiding the years but celebrating them. What are your thoughts? Do we need to change how we view aging? #Aging #Society #WisdomOverWrinkles

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Are Singaporeans more forgiving than we'd have imagined? Perera showed up at an event organised by local activists to submit a People's Manifesto on what they want for SG. More interesting was the quiet acceptance of his presence in SG's future. Could this be attributed to how he chose not to hide his "pain of expulsion?" Could the same "pain" experienced by others with more power produce the same outcome? The lesson learned here is with great power comes responsibilities--but also greater accountabilities. The other lesson is that vulnerability requires courage and when preached to the right pulpits, it will be rewarded. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #selflove #anxiety #love #mentalhealthmatters #depression #motivation #health #wellness #mindfulness #healing #fitness #life #loveyourself #therapy #inspiration #happiness #mindset #positivity #positivevibes #quotes #meditation #mentalillness #psychology #wellbeing #recovery #instagood #happy

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How was the handover? Boring. That is a good thing. LHL is a boring man - no Playboy playmate will ever spank his ass. He is handing over to another boring man. The policy stance of Singapore is stable, consistent and from PAP's standpoint logical. This handover was 3 years in the making. The leadership transition was almost 13 years in the making (in the public eye). If Lawrence got hit by a Jewish space laser, he is replaceable by someone of similar calibre, and heartbeat excitement. There are no unexpected leadership changes - if we can help it. You will not get Bojo-Liz Truss, they will not make it beyond MoS to limit the potential damage whatever the upside. They are not persuasive talkers, because they are boring implementers. It will be hard to get TikTok soundbites from any of the post LKY leaders - because running a country means taking care of the boring bits.

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Are Singaporeans more forgiving than we'd have imagined? Perera showed up at an event organised by local activists to submit a People's Manifesto on what they want for SG. More interesting was the quiet acceptance of his presence in wanting to be part of SG's future. Could this be attributed to how he chose not to hide his "pain of expulsion?" Could the same "pain" experienced by others with more powerproduce the same outcome? The lesson learned here is with great power comes responsibilities--but also greater accountabilities. The other lesson is that vulnerability requires courage and when preached to the right pulpits, it will be rewarded. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #selflove #anxiety #love #mentalhealthmatters #depression #motivation #health #wellness #mindfulness #healing #fitness #life #loveyourself #therapy #inspiration #happiness #mindset #positivity #positivevibes #quotes #meditation #mentalillness #psychology #wellbeing #recovery #instagood #happy

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ON THE SINGAPORE DREAM again: IT BOILS DOWN TO COMFORT AND SECURITY Of the 5Cs associated with the Singapore Dream, I believe credit card and club membership have long since declined in significance. They are pretty much common place by now. Obviously, cash, including all forms of liquid assets, remain important and will always matter. This is so, not so much for money in and of itself, but rather for the extent to which it could enable one to access comfort and security. And if we believe in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and we also agree that among the middle class and aspiring middle class folks, comfort and security are now (as always) the basic needs, then may I propose the following: That the aspiration to cross the divide between public transportation and private car ownership and between public housing and private housing is not primarily about status and prestige, but actually about comfort and security. If so, what are the facilitators and hindrances affecting the 2Cs of the Singapore Dream? Skills and career opportunities? Good work attitudes? Employment and income insecurity? High costs of living? Higher order needs like self-actualization and meaningful contributions to society matter too, but basic needs, as defined here, remain fundamental to the middle class and aspiring middle class. Your thoughts?

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Singapore system runs on pragmatism. a post I made in our Straits Times newspaper today. The recent Rotary International Convention brought 14,000 delegates from all over the world to Singapore. The foreign delegates marvelled at how well-organised we are as a society, and at our efficiency, safety, politeness, cleanliness, greenery, transport infrastructure, housing policy, national reserves and multiculturalism. Several delegates asked me, a local delegate, how we achieved this success. I told them it wasn’t always like this and our GDP per capita was only US$500 in 1965. We progressed rapidly because we had a stable government formed by the same political party since 1959. They were shocked. They asked me if we were a democracy or a dictatorship. I told them Singaporeans do not measure our leaders according to dogmas or ideologies. We measure leadership according to the improvements in our quality of life. Over the years, our lives have got better and so the ruling party has won elections every time. Competent leadership includes competent civil servants, civil society leaders and industry leaders. So what is the Singapore system called? It’s called pragmatism. Nation-building is an inclusive process. Our citizens can take ownership of initiatives and have dialogues with the Government to make the necessary refinements. In January, the Singapore Government Partnerships Office was launched, allowing anyone with ideas who wants to work together with the Government to do so more easily. There are also opposition parties to keep the ruling party honest, and social media which lets us voice our views. Our government is not flawless, but we have constructive channels for redress.

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😉 Here's my latest deliverable to Singapore CoachSG 📄. It's a short piece about how our local coaches can use the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale to gauge workout intensity. I started to gather the information since Jan. As I go thru the research papers, I find the RPE scale particularly useful for our swimming coaches 🏊‍♂️, especially since using a heart rate monitor in the water can be quite challenging. It's very useful to our learn-to-swim coaches too. Some folks might be skeptical about the effectiveness of this scale 🤔, but there are plenty of research studies supporting it 📚. It's definitely worth reading up on. Anyway, this is just a brief intro to RPE. ENjoy the read & Feel free to share if you find it helpful 👍. cheers ! . . #CoachingTips #RPE #ExerciseScience #SwimCoach #FitnessInnovation #SportsScience #TrainingIntensity #AthletePerformance #CoachEducation #CoachSG #FitnessTips #Swimming #HeartRateMonitoring #ExerciseResearch #RPE

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Singapore is experiencing a coach explosion, but is it really a boon or a dangerous trend? Kimberly Lim's latest article raises a critical alarm about the mushrooming of self-proclaimed coaches who might do more harm than good. We see them everywhere - LinkedIn profiles flaunting a plethora of "Coach" titles, inboxes flooded with coaching offers. Yet, behind the polished facades and buzzwords, many lack proper training or ethical grounding. The absence of regulation means anyone can claim to be a coach, risking the well-being of vulnerable clients desperate for guidance. 😟 Think about it: Would you trust your mental health to an unlicensed therapist? Why then should we accept unqualified life coaches? The stakes are high - unresolved traumas, misguided career advice, and emotional dependency are real dangers. Sure, there are amazing coaches out there, but the industry is also rife with charlatans and opportunists. It's time we demand higher standards and rigorous certification processes to separate the wheat from the chaff. Let’s not let financial freedom fantasies and the allure of “entrepreneurship” compromise the integrity of coaching. If you're considering hiring a coach, ASK QUESTIONS. Check their credentials, understand their methodologies, and ensure they're genuinely equipped to help you. The right coach can be transformative, but a bad one? They can be a disaster. Don't get burned. 🔥 BTW, I am skeptical of certifying bodies that accept unauthentic practice hours e.g. reciprocal peer coaching for certification. What do you think? Are we too trusting, or is this a necessary reckoning? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ #LifeCoaching #MentalHealth #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalStandards #Singapore #LinkedIn

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BREAKING NEWS: SNEF President Resigns Amid Governance Lapse! 🚨 Dr. Robert Yap, a stalwart of Singapore's business community and president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) for the past decade, has abruptly resigned following a "governance procedural lapse" discovered during a routine internal review. But here's the burning question: What are they hiding? 🤔 SNEF's statement is a masterclass in vagueness, leaving us all wondering: - What exactly was the governance lapse? - How deep does this rabbit hole go? - What are the real implications for SNEF's 3,300 member companies and their 800,000 employees? The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been informed and is waiting for the review's outcome. But are they just as much in the dark as we are? And what about the financial implications? SNEF claims there are none thus far, but how confident can we be without transparency? This is not just about one man's resignation. It's about the integrity of our institutions and the trust we place in them. Should we be demanding more accountability and transparency from SNEF and similar organizations? 💬 What do you think is really going on here? Should there be a more rigorous public disclosure? How will this affect the future of SNEF and the businesses it represents? #LeadershipCrisis #Governance #Transparency #SNEF #BusinessIntegrity #Accountability

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The SG flexi-work debate: Let me share a story about my friend's start-up. My friend has been running a fintech startup that cuts down the processing of paperwork in a particular industry. When it was two years old (in 2023), I asked my friend how many employees did he have. "30 employees." "What?!? How do you afford to hire so many people in Singapore and pay them CPF?" (The Central Provident Fund is our Singapore mandatory social security savings scheme funded by contributions from employers and employees.) "Oh, I hire 10 locals in Singapore and they need to engage with our clients in person. The other 20 are from other countries hired on a contract basis and they work online to do the document processing. The 20 remote employees work on the documents when they are available. Their salaries are lower than the Singaporeans but they produce good quality work." Many people today are upset by the lack of flexi-work options in certain companies. However, when flexi-work is the norm, that means you also have to compete with people from other countries who can do the same tasks for less money and without needing you to rent office space. In my friend's case, he has to run his start-up and manage his PnL. He has to balance his budget, get offline and online work done, and he has chosen this workforce structure that works for him. Technically, his Singaporean hires probably work "remotely" and flexibly as they spend most of their time with the clients but it's not the WFH scenario that the term "flexi-work" implies in today's context. So if you ask me, I think "flexi-work" needs to be seen from multiple perspectives, not just from the employee's point of view. I have more thoughts on this and might share them in following posts.

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🔥 Wayang at Work: A productivity trap or a symptom of deeper cultural issues? It’s December, and many of us are guilty of wayang-ing at work - putting on the act of busyness while counting down to our long-awaited year-end breaks. But let’s pause and reflect: why is this even necessary? In Singapore’s workplaces, wayang isn’t just a December phenomenon; it’s a cultural norm ingrained by a system that prioritizes appearances over outcomes. Employees feel pressured to look busy even when there’s no meaningful work to be done. The result? A vicious cycle of disengagement and inefficiency. Let me ask you this: - What if we stopped pretending? - What if we normalized downtime and focused on results instead of rigidly monitored hours? The stories in this article are funny, yes - but they also reveal a deeper dysfunction. When organizations punish transparency and reward presenteeism, they drive employees into performative behaviors that waste time and erode trust. If we truly want to embrace the future of work, we need a culture shift - one that values trust, transparency, and outcomes over theatrics. 🚨 Do you agree, or is wayang-ing just harmless fun? Let’s discuss. How does your company handle the December blues? #WorkplaceCulture #Wayang #FutureOfWork #Productivity #SingaporeWorkplace #Leadership

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It is disheartening to learn that veteran artists in the drama and theatre industry had their teaching courses dropped from NUS.  It is also regrettable that the communication was done in a less-than-ideal manner. As I read this news article, the question that came to mind is one of no relevance to communication though.  I find myself asking : what is the real purpose of education? When a top national university uses cost (or whatever resources that may be in consideration) effectiveness as a measurement in education, I can’t help but wonder if we have missed the point about education?  Of course, all educational institutions need to manage its resources wisely. Nothing, not even education, can be possible when there is no food on the table.  But, at least in Singapore, it is not a case of not having the means, isn’t it?     How do we measure educational impact?  It cannot be simply by GPAs. I do not know what is a “sizeable number” needed in order for a course to be conducted “meaningfully”. But I know that at least four students (those interviewed by Straits Times) have lost more than just another module to choose from.  Here’s what I think they have really lost: - an extremely precious opportunity to learn from among the best (if not best) in the industry; - years of practical, up-to-date, real life knowledge that an academia teaching staff could not have been able to share; - moments of inspiration showing them what’s difficult but what’s possible for them in their own future doing similar work. I am sure that the affected students will eventually be able to graduate by completing other similar (or not) modules.  But I continue to wonder:  will it ever be the same for them? Maybe I overthink… #education #artsstudent

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The Gumption of Mr Toilet Foreword by George Yeo " I am conflicted by Jack Sim. I really don’t want to get too close to him because I end up being sucked into his vortex. Yet, my conscience does not allow me to turn away because Jack’s causes are good causes. This book by Jack appears to be all about Jack and may initially turn some readers off. But it is much more than that. It is about passion. Without passion, no great projects can be undertaken. Gumption (a word which Lee Kuan Yew popularized in Singapore) is needed and Jack sees himself a personification of it. From a young age, Jack threw away his comb since he did not think it should matter how he looks. He proclaims himself to be ADHD (which I think is over-rated as a diagnosis). In my occasional frustration with Jack, I try to figure him out. Yes, he is egoistic but he suppresses his small ego to concentrate on his big ego, which are his passions in life. Sometimes I think that there is a little bit of Jack in all of us except that, in him, it is writ large. In his inimitable way, Jack has moved the world’s needle which very few of us can hope to do in our lifetime, even those with bountiful resources. Mr Toilet has helped to change the world for the better in public sanitation. I know women are particularly grateful to him. In a conversation with a woman in a third world country some years ago, she lamented how those of her gender deliberately drank less water to avoid having to use toilets. In India and China, better public toilets have improved the lives of hundreds of millions. Everywhere in the world, we talk about ESG. Yet there is nothing so simple and so important as having better public toilets in many countries. There is frequent market failure in the provision of better public toilets because decision-makers are often themselves not affected. Leadership - moral leadership - is key in this area as in many others. Jack leads the charge and won’t readily take ‘no’ for an answer. I could not say ‘no’ to him and agreed to be a keynote speaker for a World Toilet Summit in Haikou in 2011. I provided a plank for him to the UN where, with the support of our able (but initially skeptical) diplomats, a World Toilet Day was declared on November 17. He thanks me publicly but it is for us to thank him. This short but interesting book is about Jack and his causes. He wants to be a child again. He counts the days to his expected expiry date. There is much to admire in his approach to life. In his desire to do good, he is more spiritual than he makes himself out to be. We can’t all be like Jack and we don’t want too many people to be like him, but we should be inspired by his lifework. He says that his only intimate friend is his wife, Julie. But he has many good friends and I am fortunate to be one of them." George Yeo https://lnkd.in/gp6PRsYP https://lnkd.in/gutVGG_y

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Men's Health Week... Exercising with a weighted back-pack, rucking (or tabbing in the UK) is popular in some circles. No running required but some effort and resilience to perform, especially in Singapore's heat. And there are several health benefits to this type of exercise: physical, mental and social. Read on learn more, from 'why?!' to 'how to ruck' to 'what kit to use'. https://lnkd.in/gef2eaGn Gents, we are interested to learn about what affects your health. What are your concerns? Take part in our 5 min Men's Health Week survey... https://lnkd.in/gCKYcmyt Stay Strong, Alastair #Singapore #veterans #joinus #AnythingButRegular

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Dear Fellow Dreamers and Risk-Takers, Today marks the start of a 30-day branding journey with Female Founders Rise and Emmie Faust, and I find myself reflecting on the path that led me here. It’s been filled with tough choices, sleepless nights, doubt, and triumph. After years as a finance director, I reached a crossroads. I loved helping businesses grow, but I didn’t want to miss out on moments with my kids to grow myself. Finding actual part-time Finance director/CFO roles are very hard. I watched my parents choose entrepreneurship to be present for our family, and their example stayed with me. So, I took the leap into my own entrepreneurial journey—terrifying, exhilarating, and absolutely necessary. As I build this new chapter, four core aspects of my life and business have become clear: 1)Ethical Business: It’s not just about profits. I’m committed to creating a digital world where privacy is respected and businesses can thrive without exploiting personal data. Most companies and consumers still don't know what effects cookies have. Every time I help a company embrace ethical practices, I’m making the online world a bit safer for my kids. The dream is to have an ecosystem of companies who believe in ethical tech. 2)The Founder’s Journey: Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. Some days I’m on top of the world; other days, I question everything. By sharing my vulnerabilities, I hope to create a space where we feel less alone in this journey. 3)Motherhood and Business: Balancing both is messy but beautiful. There’s pure joy when my kids understand what I do, and guilt when work cuts into . I dream of a world where my daughter won’t have to choose between career and family—where she can embrace both unapologetically. 4)Wellness and Self-Discovery: Entering middle age, my body started reminding me it needs attention. I’ve been exploring Ayurveda and wellness not just to avoid medication, but to reconnect with myself and find balance. It’s deeply personal, challenging, and rewarding. As I begin this branding challenge, I’m both vulnerable and excited. This isn’t just about building a business—it’s about crafting a life that aligns with my values, honours my roles as a mother and entrepreneur, and prioritises my wellbeing. Which part of this journey resonates with you? What should I dive into first? #privacy #cookieless #ethicalbusiness #founders #wellness #ayurverdia

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"What took me 6 months, I've just done in 3 days." These were the words a client shared with me today, reflecting on how far he's come in managing setbacks. He told me that in the past, a similar challenge would have taken him six months to recover from. This time? It wasn’t six months. It wasn’t even six days. It took him just three days. He attributed this incredible progress to the work we’ve been doing together—particularly the power of having a “safe space” to share his feelings without judgement, assumptions, or opinions. I have to admit, hearing this filled my cup and made me feel like a million dollars! Knowing that the conversations we’ve had have made such a profound difference in his life reminded me why I do what I do. Moments like these are what coaching is all about. But the story doesn’t end there. This client and I had also reached the end of my 12-week Transform Your Business coaching programme, and as part of wrapping up, we reflected on his growth and achievements. Not only did he express how much value he’d received, but he made another powerful decision: to continue investing in himself and commit to the next chapter of his journey. We mapped out some even more ambitious outcomes for the next 12 weeks, and I could feel his excitement and determination as we laid the groundwork for what’s to come. It was a great day, not just because he renewed his coaching contract, but because I witnessed someone step into their future with confidence and courage. Coaching isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about transforming the way we see and navigate the world, building resilience and self-belief along the way. So, what wins have you had so far this week? I’d love to hear about your wins—big or small. Let’s celebrate them together! 🎉

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