Mitchel Lee
In a world of rapid change and rising uncertainty, the legacy of one man continues to inspire leaders, policy-makers, and visionaries across the globe—Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore. In a recent masterclass held at PwC Bangladesh titled “Five Things I Learnt from Mr. Lee Kuan Yew that is Inspiring and May Be Relevant Today”, I spoke to a group of PwC young executives and tried to offer a glimpse into the leadership ethos of the man who transformed a fledgling island into a model nation. The session distilled five key takeaways that I felt had inspired my own career and might be relevant to young people both in Singapore and Bangladesh today.
- Dedication and Hard Work: Singapore as his Life Mission
For Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, leadership was never a title; it was a calling. His devotion to Singapore’s transformation was absolute, unwavering, and often deeply personal. Serving as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1990 and later as Senior Minister and Minister Mentor until his passing in 2015, Mr. Lee’s life was inseparable from the destiny of his nation. His quotes echo his relentless drive: “Even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel that something is wrong, I will get up.”
“What have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.”
This intensity of purpose teaches us that real success—whether in business, government, or personal life—demands total commitment.
- Integrity and Clean Government: The Foundation of Trust
Singapore today is synonymous with good governance and low corruption—a legacy directly tied to Mr. Lee’s uncompromising stance on ethical leadership. Ranking third globally in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Singapore’s reputation stems from early reforms that rooted out corruption, paid civil servants well, and demanded accountability.
“Leaders must have the sense of trusteeship… Corruption, which is regarded as a cancer, must be eradicated as soon as detected."
His belief in paying government officials fairly wasn’t about privilege but protection—from the rot of corruption and mediocrity. He once remarked: “The cure for this talk [about high salaries] is a good dose of incompetent government… your asset values will be in peril, your security at risk, and your women will become maids in other people’s countries.”
The message is clear: clean leadership isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
- Continuous Learning and Global Relevance: Always a Student
What makes a small island globally relevant? Mr. Lee’s answer: by always learning and adapting from the best. From Dutch economist Albert Winsemius in the 1960s to Japanese industrial strategy in the 1980s, Singapore constantly absorbed global wisdom and made it its own.
Lee himself embodied this principle. Well into his seventies, he learned to use a computer and studied Mandarin to remain relevant. His ethos resonates deeply with Singaporeans in today’s fast-changing world—where learning isn’t a phase, but a way of life.
- A Clean and Green Country: Vision Rooted in Nature
Decades before sustainability became a global agenda, Mr. Lee envisioned Singapore as a “Garden City.” With policies ranging from land rejuvenation to urban greening, he transformed Singapore into a living testament to the harmony between nature and modernity.
From tree-planting drives to cleaning the once polluted Singapore River, his urban ecology strategy wasn’t merely aesthetic—it was economic, environmental, and symbolic. Today’s “City in a Garden” is a result of decades of careful planning, legislative will, and civic education.
- Multiracial Harmony and Social Cohesion: A Nation for All
Mr. Lee’s firm belief in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society was tested during Singapore’s separation from Malaysia, yet it became the very basis of its unity and success. His vision: “This is not a Malay nation, this is not a Chinese nation, this is not an Indian nation. Everybody will have his place: Equal; language, culture, religion.”
Policies like ensuring a mixed race make up for each public housing estate, interfaith dialogue programs, and national education emphasizing shared values have ensured that diversity became Singapore’s strength—not its fault line.
Lessons for the World—and for Bangladesh
The values that guided Mr. Lee Kuan Yew are not uniquely Singaporean—they are universally relevant. Bangladesh, with its vibrant youth, strategic location, and ambition for growth, can reflect on these five pillars as it shapes its future. Clean governance, an inclusive society, nature-friendly development, continuous learning, and selfless leadership—these are not only the legacy of one man but the blueprint for any nation that dares to dream.
As golfers know, a good swing is not about luck—it’s about consistency, discipline, and practice. Nation-building, too, is a long game. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew played it—and won it—for his country. Now it’s our turn to take the shot.
Mitchel Lee
Chargé D’affaires, Singapore High Commission in Dhaka
