To Lead Others, Start With Yourself
Senior Fellow Vichara Chhy is no stranger to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School) —it was here that she completed her Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree in 2014. Back then, she shared her compelling story about finding her voice as a leader, and today, she talks about rising to the challenge of leadership.
For the last seven years, I’ve served as the Under Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Civil Service. My ministry’s role is to lead public administrative reform to promote good governance. We work to strengthen public institutions, improve human resource management, and simplify processes in public service delivery. Our ultimate goal is to serve Cambodia’s citizens better.
We work closely with people from all ministries and institutions in the country, along with civil society organisations and the private sector. We try to get everyone involved in the public policy process, to give them a sense of ownership, as we believe this will contribute to successful implementation.
While I was completing my MPP programme at the LKY School, I attended workshops on communication, some of which were integrated into the modules as well. What I learned at the LKY School was that in order to be an effective communicator, you need to believe in yourself and your mission. Additionally, you need to be able to explain to others why something matters to them. They should understand that what you’re doing affects society as a whole, and everyone has a role to play. Rather than focusing on problems, I try to galvanise people to discuss solutions together.
***
I believe we can never learn enough. The things that we know or the skills that we have could soon become irrelevant or obsolete. A main challenge in bureaucracy is that people get too caught up in their mandated role, with little or no attention to the bigger picture. I didn’t want to get stuck in a comfort zone, and when I heard about the LKY School’s Senior Fellowship in Public Service (SFPS) programme, I was immediately interested.
It was exciting to be back at the LKY School, this time in the SFPS programme. We contemplated questions that should be central to our existence, such as, “How do you define your success?” One reading that I found fascinating was from the 2015 book Road to Character by New York Times columnist David Brooks. In it, Brooks talked about the biblical Adam representing two sides of human nature—he came up with the Adam I/Adam II distinction, where Adam I is about worldly ambition, or what you can put on a resume, while Adam II is about your core values and your innate desire to do good. It made me think about what I should prioritise as a leader.
Vichara at the SF1 Completion Ceremony with Director of SFPS Professor Tan Yong Soon (left) and LKYSPP Dean Danny Quah (right)
***
In my workplace, there are knowledge gaps and generation gaps. At the end of the day, it’s not about who’s right or who’s wrong. The challenge often lies in changing perceptions, and the best way to convince others is through your behaviour. Be a role model. Show your integrity. In order to do that, you have to have strong roots—an unwavering belief in your mission—so you don’t get blown away by the wind.
Leadership is so important to any organisation, and I’m constantly learning on the job. The ability to motivate others in simple ways, such as showing trust, providing opportunities for growth, and giving verbal recognition can also be crucial to the morale of your organisation.
If you are holding a position of seniority in the public sector, and looking for a programme to take you to the next level, I highly recommend the LKY School’s SFPS programme. You will meet amazing people from around the world, discuss and debate case studies, and go on eye-opening site visits. Most of all, you will embark on a journey to find the best version of yourself as a leader.
I’m proud of everyone in my SFPS “family.” We are on different paths, but we share a common desire to keep learning, and to use our knowledge to make a difference. Once again, I’m inspired to serve with heart, and to press on with my work.
Vichara chairing a meeting in January 2020, to discuss public service information compilation and get inputs for a prototype for Cambodia's national portal