Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Toolkit Toolkit Final as of 17082016 | Page 10

Process of Leadership Renewal
Author: Saravanan Rathakrishnan
Background:
•
Leadership renewal is imperative for the continuity of any organisation. However, more often than not, it causes
more problems than benefits to the organisations.
This is because leadership transitions premise on sensitive human interactions and must be done carefully, in a
measured, tailored manner.
The best example of smooth leadership transitions can be found within our own local political situations. Since
Singapore’s independence, there have been two successful government leadership transitions with the 3rd
transition underway at the moment.
Thus, using Singapore’s example, we can try to draw some lessons that can be applied to Tamil community
organisations, so as to ensure that the objectives of these organisations can be fulfilled in the long run with their
continuity being ensured as well.
•
•
•
Topic of Interest: How can we, as youths, further improve the succession planning of key Tamil
community organisations?
Taking a leaf out of our political leadership
Number of years served as Prime Minister
before transition
35
30
25
20
?
15
Leadership
transition from the
3 rd to 4 th
generation 1.
Source:
http://www.straitsti
mes.com/politics/4t
h-generation-
leaders-get-key-
posts-in-cabinet-
reshuffle 3.
Common trends Historically, speed of success has been
correlative of how high a particular
politician will rise. All those who rose to
the top were identified early on and
were given key roles.
10
5
0
PM Lee Kuan
Yew
Since the 1970s, out of the 40 cabinet
ministers, those who rose to the top
mostly became full ministers typically
within 3 years and were also given
further responsibilities.
PM Goh Chok PM Lee Hsien
Tong
Leong
Fig 1: Duration before each leadership transition.
Note: PM Lee Hsien Loong has not done a leadership
transition yet
Source:http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_139_2
005-01-19.html
2.
DPMs did not head specific
ministries but act as coordinating
ministers
Mr Khaw Boon Wan acts as 3 rd
coordinating minister
Placed younger ones into key
positions
1. 20 full ministers in the
Cabinet
2. Half of whom are below 55
years old
At each leadership transition, there was
a clear leader and that person was
chosen to become the PM.
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapolitics/pap-top-task-is-leadership-
renewal
Lessons
Leadership Succession • Avoids vertical integration (the process of of the elite groups and fields the best candidates
resisting the temptation of rewarding only party loyalty. (Petir 30 th Anniversary issue. Singapore:
Central Executive Committee, PAP, 1984)  prevents succession through non-meritocratic
means
Mechanism • PAP talent spots people and adopts Civil Service recruitment process of tea sessions, interviews
and psychology tests to select its candidates.
Integrates the talents horizontally i.e. succession through meritocratic means
•
Leadership transition
•
Retired senior leaders like PMs do not leave the Cabinet completely, they remain to lend
expertise as well as mitigate power struggles during leadership transition.
Source: (http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2009/09/lee-kuan-yews-legacy-on-leadership-succession/)
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