HPB Voices Reloaded

Mrs Tan Seok Lee, Director, Corporate Services, Dr Annie Ling, Director, Research and Strategic Planning and Ms Low Sau Chan, Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Officer’s Office are three of our new Directors. In this issue we bring you an interview with Mrs Tan Seok Lee, Director, Corporate Services.

How long have you been with HPB?
Almost 3 years.

In a few words tell us what you do.
I help the Board make better people decisions, and the best use of our resources to support staff in their health promotion work.

So how do you find working life since joining HPB? Is it any different from your previous workplace?
It's a whole new experience for me. In my previous workplace, the focus was on globalising Singapore companies' businesses, while over here, it is about promoting a healthy lifestyle.

How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I find that planning and getting things done ahead of time is important. It preempts work from piling up and provides a buffer to take on last minute work. That way, I have less stress and more time to enjoy other things in life.  I also believe in staying focused. At work, I work towards the work goals; when I am with my family, I try to be there for them and appreciate and enjoy their company and love.

What takes up most of your time after work?
I spend the time catching up with the family, exercising and relaxing, although I occasionally bring back work to do.

Tell us about your family.
My  husband is working in the private sector. I have a son and a daughter. My Son is in NS and my daughter in JC. It's been a learning journey for me as a parent, and very rewarding too; my children are truly my source of comfort and strength.

What's your favourite past time?
My daughter will probably say 'nagging'! I do have quite a number past times: doing Qigong, taking walks, shopping, gardening, watching comedies, reading, experimenting with recipes...(Editor: Ah ha! We have something in common, nagging our children and experimenting with recipes; we must exchange recipes).

Do you have any favourite holiday destination?
No where in particular, since the key thing for me is to be able to enjoy the place with my love ones.

Any words of advice for new HPBians.
We have an important job of helping people look after their health. Without health, we can't create our future. So, push on and make our mark!

There is another thing I like to share. Recently I attended a talk on Making Better People Decisions. What struck me most was this (which I subsequently shared with some of our
colleagues). Most of us tend to think that experience and intellect contribute most to our career success, but the most important factor is really Emotional Intelligence. This measures how we relate to people and how we react to situations and challenges.
Coincidentally, I was reading some people's memories of Mr Sim Kee Boon, our outstanding civil servant who just passed away. One person remembered how, even as the Big Boss of Keppel, he demonstrated humility and kindness to his junior, and how he kept his cool in difficult circumstances, like putting into the 18th hole.

These stories were inspirational to me.

(Editor: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and words of wisdom with us).