Singaporean leaders ill-equipped for global challenges

New study deems the current crop of leaders as lacking in expansionist drive and innovative risk-taking.

Singapore leaders also fail to inspire the rank-and-file and have some ways to go in being proactive in customer service, according to Development Dimensions International which conducted the assessment study. It surveyed 400 leader respondents in Singapore.

The only area where Singapore leaders seem to shine is in driving operational efficiency and profitability.

"Across the analysis, critical underlying competencies such as entrepreneurship, global acumen, and business acumen consistently rated lower. With a strong focus on driving operational excellence, leaders in Singapore seem less inclined to pursue new and ground-breaking opportunities. The emphasis on driving efficiency and predictability seems to have driven a more conservative and internally focused culture," said DDI.

"Singapore leaders have often been characterized as more risk-averse and cautious. Research studies have suggested they are less inclined to encourage or inspire a culture of creativity. This appears to be supported by our data and analysis, which suggests they are less likely to drive change, challenge existing paradigms, or embrace new ideas presented by others (unless presented by more senior leaders). The personality data suggest a tendency toward a more conservative, risk-averse mindset," it added.

"The results suggest serious gaps in both the skills and personality patterns that help leaders build organizational talent, and to coach and develop team members. Leaders in Singapore take a pragmatic and task-based approach, often at the expense of the more subtle interpersonal nuances that help connect with and engage employees. Additionally, the tendency for more perfectionistic and controlling-type behaviors affects their ability to genuinely empower and stretch employees to their full potential," it said further.

"Singapore’s business leaders appear less inclined to adopt an expansive customer perspective, but are quick to respond to and protect the customer relationship. However, there is an opportunity to improve in ensuring that broader organizational processes, such as product development and business development decisions, are aligned to more robust customer insights and needs," DDI said.

"Singapore-based leaders display definite strengths in areas related to driving operational excellence. They appear capable of dealing effectively with operational and tactical problems that range in scope, immediacy, and bottom-line effect. The personality data suggest a strong tendency toward prudent and pragmatic thinking that delivers practical and well-considered outcomes," it ended.