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"Ultimately, great leadership drives culture, creates meaningful work, and inspires people to thrive, shaping the organisation’s long-term success," he believes.
Trust is the foundation of all relationships—this is the lesson that has stayed with Soon Eng Sing, Vice President, Group People & Sustainability, Singtel since his first day in HR. "Building trust fosters open communication, collaboration, and meaningful change," he says.
Beyond trust, he believes leadership plays a defining role in shaping workplace culture and inspiring people to thrive.
Eng Sing brings to the table a distinguished career leading regional teams across the Asia Pacific—including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia. This experience has equipped him with a strategic acumen and cultural agility enable him to lead transformative shifts in HR practices, catalysing positive change in people management.
At Singtel, he is responsible for driving the group’s global talent strategies, encompassing talent management, employee development, organisational culture, leadership succession, and workplace diversity and inclusion. His leadership also focuses on enhancing people experience and fostering a purpose-driven, inclusive environment.
Outside of Singtel, he actively supports the HR industry and Singapore-based companies through his work on the Skills Advisory Panel, co-chaired by SkillsFuture Singapore and the Institute of Human Resource Professionals.
In this edition of Faces of HR, Mary Ann Bundukin catches up with the leader how HR can empower talent in a rapidly evolving workplace, why AI should be viewed as an enabler rather than a disruptor, and how leaders can foster a culture of agility, purpose, and human development.
Q Thinking back to your first day in HR, what is the most important learning that sticks with you until today?
I’ve learned in the early days of my career that trust is the foundation of all relationships. Building trust fosters open communication, collaboration, and meaningful change. I also realised that leaders cast a long shadow—their behaviours, values, and decisions shape the organisation’s culture and the employee experience. HR can impact change by working closely with leaders to align their actions with the company’s vision, ensuring they leave a positive and lasting legacy.
Ultimately, great leadership drives culture, creates meaningful work, and inspires people to thrive, shaping the organisation’s long-term success.
Q What steps do you believe are necessary to transform today's talent into the talent that the business needs?
Transforming today’s talent begins with recognising that the meaning of work has changed — employees now seek purpose, growth, and autonomy. In a dynamic world where no one holds all the answers, leaders must also learn to be agile and tap into the collective intelligence of their workforce in order to unlock the full potential of today’s workforce.
Empowering talent to make good decisions fosters ownership and accountability, while providing space for individuals to experiment, grow, and adapt builds the agility needed to meet evolving business demands.
Q Could you share emerging trends that you believe will have the most significant impact on HR in the next few years?
AI and generative AI are poised to revolutionise the workforce, transforming how we work, learn, and make decisions. However, we must also address its impact— human-machine dynamic, reskilling employees, managing ethical considerations, and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making processes. This human-machine synergy requires a shift in mindset, where AI is seen as a tool to augment human potential rather than replace it.
To fully harness this potential, purpose-led decision-making is crucial. Leaders must ensure that AI’s integration supports sustainable business practices, promotes workforce well-being, and fosters human development.
Q What are you most looking forward to in your session at #TalentTechAsiaSummit?
I’m excited to explore how technology can enhance human development, solve workplace problems and help us reimagine the future of work. I look forward to exchanging insights with HR practitioners and leverage the summit’s collaborative spirit to generate actionable strategies that balance innovation with humanity.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Mary Ann Bundukin. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any talent, leadership, or HR technology solutions and products that you'd like to showcase, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now, or fill in your interest here and our team will be in touch.
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