Inspiring Inclusion for Progress, Requires A Tangible, Integrated Approach

As we approach International Women’s Day, this year’s themes, “Inspire Inclusion” by IWD and “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” set forth by the United Nations, are especially meaningful to me. Over the course of my career, inclusion has often been a topic that has followed me, whether in public service or within the operations and logistics sector.

In the 17 years I spent in uniform within the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), female role models were few and far between, and some days I did wish that I had someone in my shoes to look up to, take advice from and share common experiences with. Eventually, I had the honour of serving as the commanding officer (CO) of the navy's patrol vessel, the RSS Dauntless, and this leadership role gave me the opportunity to make a direct impact on the professional development and personal growth of the young servicemen and women.

Five years ago, I joined SingPost and spearheaded the transformation of the Singapore business. This experience proved invaluable when I was entrusted, about three years ago, to lead the entire Singapore business unit and continue driving its overall transformation. The pandemic had upended long established ways that supply chains and logistics companies ran and operated, and change would no longer be just a factor to maintain the edge in the industry. SingPost was firmly on the path of evolving from being Singapore’s national postal and parcel service provider, into becoming a global logistics operator into the world of eCommerce. The diverse workforce are key to the growth of the organisation.

The question is: What role does inclusion play, and what needs to be done to inspire inclusion, ignite positive impact, spur innovation, and accelerate progress?

Diversity and inclusion are red threads critical to any modern organisation. With this comes the importance of uplifting and nurturing the capabilities of those easily overlooked.

I advocate taking a tangible and integrated approach:

• Carving out a safety net for all to thrive: As leaders, are we granting each team member a chance to express their unique voices and contribute their ideas? It’s not about encouraging participation but empowering each and every one, to embrace boldness in sharing. By cultivating an environment where everyone feels heard and appreciated, we not only fortify the team's collaborative spirit but also unlock a wealth of diverse perspectives, working towards innovation and collective progress
• The development of relevant skill sets and talents, especially on a gender neutral footing, should be a universal experience. Fostering digital competencies and a forward-thinking mindset is key to preventing exclusion. At SingPost, we prioritise ongoing learning and development in soft and hard skills, as well as digitalisation competencies, empowering our employees with the tools to excel, driving our pursuit of exceptional service delivery.
• Start early to nurture budding talents: As we work with young interns, one idea that we are exploring is on reverse mentorship. This program empowers our young interns to take on the role of mentors for senior leaders, fostering a dynamic exchange of fresh perspectives. This will in time sow the seeds for a future where inclusive collaboration drives innovation and success. It's truly rewarding to witness many interns return to work with us, embarking on a journey of growth and advancement in their careers.
• Celebrating authenticity and fostering a sense of belonging is at the core of our values at SingPost. It deeply touches my heart to not only witness the dedication of team members but also the presence of multiple generations working alongside one another, including family members. This unique dynamic creates a special sense of camaraderie that extends beyond the workplace, weaving seamlessly into the fabric of their personal lives. This intergenerational collaboration not only inspires inclusion but also cultivates an environment where diverse perspectives are cherished, forging stronger bonds and enriching both our professional and personal experiences.

For the longest time, the logistics and supply chain has been the traditional domain for men but this perception has shifted over the years. Based on the latest prevailing SingStat data from 2022, 26.5% of workers in logistics in Singapore are female. At SingPost, 30% of our C-suite are women. However, I truly believe that we have the capacity to take this to the next level and be a standard bearer for the industry when it comes to inspiring inclusion within our workforce.

The Singapore Government has led from the front in this regard and rolled out an Industry Transformation Map for the logistics sector. The broad pillars within this map span attracting new investments, job creation, digitalisation and supporting globalisation. In 2022, NTUC signed an MOU with several logistics firms to redesign jobs tasks and improve workplaces for women employees.

Research has shown that having more women in the workforce can help with improving national productivity and economic growth, increased organisational performance, and enhanced organisational reputation – but providing opportunities for people of all backgrounds should be a priority of all companies, not just when it proves to be a viable business case.

As much as employees are not homogenous groups, I am hopeful that it’s crucial that companies tailor their DE&I approaches and operationalise it across their daily operations, recruitment and meetings. Only through our collective efforts can we truly #InspireInclusion

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