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Singaporean Matters: 50 Shades of Grey
Let’s face it, we are successful.
Singapore has moved from Third World to First World in the span of one generation and it is only natural that we will continue to do what has worked for us in the past.
Unfortunately, the world has changed.
Globalization, technological advances, and demographic changes have created a hereto-unseen VUCA environment where there are no correct or perfect solutions.
Our problem is that we have become too accustomed to thinking in black & white in a world that is increasingly characterized by shades of grey. Our binary thinking hinders our ability to adapt and thrive in the new world. Our continued success will require us to think differently. Instead of seeking perfect answers, we need to embrace the multifaceted nature of our current challenges and focus on strategies that get us the best possible outcomes, or the least worse, as the case may be.
While we should learn from past successes, we should not be wedded to them. Succeeding in the VUCA environment necessitates thinking beyond simplistic dichotomies and embracing the subtleties inherent in this ambiguous space.
Only when we start thinking in shades of grey, can we forge a prosperous future for Singapore and Singaporeans.
