Singapore moving towards new five Cs

I RECENTLY gave a talk at the National Library Board during which I discussed a shift that I believe will define Singapore's next chapter of success. I talked about a move away from the traditional "five C's" of success - cash, car, credit card, condominium, and country club membership - towards a new currency, five Cs built instead on creativity, collaboration, contribution, compassion and confidence.

Over the past five years, I've watched Singapore slowly tilt in the direction of these new values. But it was the day that Lee Kuan Yew died - March 23, 2015 - that this shift truly became clear to me. Singapore suddenly tapped into deep reserves of emotion and character. The day-to-day interactions of friends, and even strangers, transformed into opportunities to share the moments at which their family's historical trajectory had been positively impacted by the policies created under Mr Lee and his team.

As it grieved, Singapore started a journey towards a common identity and a renewed spirit of optimism for the future. The death of Mr Lee meant that Singapore was now, both publicly and privately, in the spotlight as a small nation state that the rest of the world could learn from. There was a hunger to understand the success that Singapore experienced in the 50 short years under the country's most pivotal leader. This country's people, values, and potential are now seen under a more optimistic light.