We need kindness, understanding and have empathy for our fellow human beings during these uncertain times. This was the message Yeo Wan Ling wanted to send across in her maiden parliamentarian speech.
It has been exactly a month since Wan Ling joined the Labour Movement on 17 August 2020.
She now helms two NTUC departments as director – NTUC U SME and the Women and Family Unit.
“I feel that for us to truly get out of these uncertain times, besides the support from the Government and the Labour Movement, it is very important that people stand united and help each other through it as well,” she said.
Wan Ling was with the Economic Development Board (EDB) for more than 13 years. Even then, she wanted the investments she helped bring in to impact individuals.
“Of course, it felt great to bring in figures such as $100 million in foreign investments and projects. But I mostly wanted to see how the $100 million could create, for example, 200 jobs for Singaporeans; jobs that Singaporeans would like to do.
“I was most concerned about how foreign investment impacted our workers and their families by bringing in good livelihoods. So that was the thing that drove me then,” she said.
Most recently, before joining the Labour Movement, Wan Ling was the CEO of CaregiverAsia, a company she helped start in 2014 that links up careseekers and freelance caregivers for home care services.
Wan Ling added that she has always believed her life journey would one day bring her to a position where she could help people. Today, she is in a place to lead.
Wan Ling believes that as a woman leader, she has a responsibility to chart the course for other women.
“I don't particularly subscribe to a very hardline stance. I subscribe to allowing women to reach their potential in their careers and to protect women in terms of career choices.
“And when I say career choices, it's not just about promotions or changing careers, but about how their work or their livelihood balance with their life stages as women,” she said.
Her advice to all women is to “be like water.”
“Women, in general, are very tenacious. We don’t look at situations or challenges with a one-track mind. We will find gaps and ways to envelope the problem and overcome challenges to get to where we want to be and achieve our goals.
“My advice to women who not only want to lead but also those who want balance in their career and life is to look at all the possible paths you can take to get to where you want to be. Don’t just be focused on walking that straight and narrow road. If you do this, you will get there and achieve your potential,” she said.
