When hush-hush leads to lose-lose – why business leaders need to be psychologically savvy

PSYCHOLOGICAL counselling and psychotherapy have become part and parcel of today’s Western society, as reflected by a slew of TV shows, jokes, memes, and the rise of “therapy speak” in a colloquial language.

It is most visible in North American culture where high-profile athletes, celebrities, and corporate leaders are talking openly about their psychological disorders and diagnoses, breaking the silence and alerting the general public to the importance of seeking mental healthcare when faced with emotional distress.

In technologically advanced but culturally traditional and conservative Singapore, anything with the “psycho” prefix still raises eyebrows and fears rather than awareness.