Shawn Hoh stands at the intersection of legacy and leadership—a second-generation business owner who helps next-gen leaders stop performing and start owning their identity-driven leadership.
With a deep understanding of generational transition and a passion for helping others lead from authenticity rather than expectation, Shawn has made waves both on stage and behind the scenes at the Association of Professional Speakers Singapore (APSS).
In this SG60 Showcase feature, Shawn Hoh shares how he’s guiding the next generation toward identity-first leadership, why lived experience creates lasting transformation, and how Singapore can evolve into a global center for authentic, human-centered leadership development.
Read on for fresh perspectives from one of the country’s emerging voices in leadership transformation.
Highlights
From Platforms to Purpose: Empowering Singapore’s Leadership Ecosystem
Q: What initiative have you led that meaningfully contributes to Singapore’s development?
A: I’ve been deeply involved with APSS, helping shape Singapore’s professional speaking landscape with a focus on authentic voice development.
Since 2023, I have been part of the organizing committee Speakers Academy, training nearly 200 aspiring speakers to bring their genuine expertise into industries like finance, education, wellness, and entrepreneurship—not just polished presentations, but real value.
Later, I helped plan the 2024 APSS Annual Convention, drawing global thought leaders and raising Singapore’s profile as a hub for authentic knowledge exchange. As Director of Membership, I now focus on mentoring members to develop their unique voice rather than copying others.
Moreover, these roles aren’t just about events—they’re about building a robust ecosystem of authentic local voices contributing to national innovation and identity.
Q: What makes your perspective relevant to Singapore’s next chapter?
A: I stand at the intersection of two worlds: legacy and innovation. Running a family-owned security business while coaching next-gen leaders gives me a unique lens on the friction emerging leaders face—between honoring heritage and shaping the future, between performing what’s expected and owning who they actually are.
My passion is guiding others through that identity transition. That’s what Singapore needs: leaders who balance values with agility, who lead from authentic identity rather than inherited scripts, and who drive sustainable, human-centered progress without losing themselves in the process.
Q: What local organizations have you worked with?
A: I’ve partnered with SingTel, Watsons, SMU, PropertyGuru, Zenika, Great Eastern, and more—delivering identity-focused leadership workshops and communication coaching that helps teams connect authentically rather than just perform professionally.
Signature Framework for Identity-Driven Growth
Q: What are your signature programs, and how do they support Singapore’s leadership pipeline?
A: My core work centers on The Identity Ascent Framework—a four-phase journey that guides leaders from scattered performance to grounded authenticity:
- Understanding Your Leadership Style through The Enneagram—which helps leaders gain clarity on their strengths, triggers, and blind spots.
- Developing the Leader Within—focused on identity, resilience, and redefining what success looks like.
- Building Blocks of Collaboration—a hands-on session that fosters better teamwork and trust, especially across hybrid or cross-functional teams.
These programs are rooted in lived experience, behavioral science, and deep listening. They prepare leaders not just to perform, but to own their leadership identity and sustain authentic impact over time.
Q: What sets you apart from other speakers and trainers?
A: I don’t preach—I partner. Having rebuilt from burnout and navigated the gap between inherited scripts and authentic leadership, I help next-gen leaders anchor in their identity rather than perform someone else’s version of leadership.
My sessions are raw, practical, and anchored in real transformation stories. I’ve lived the identity fracture that most next-gen leaders face—leading from borrowed expectations instead of owned identity. That honest journey resonates with emerging leaders who are tired of textbook leadership and want frameworks that meet them where they actually are.
Q: How do you stay sharp and evolve your work?
A: I design my own leadership tools and assessment frameworks, study identity development and behavioral science, and stay immersed in coaching real leaders through actual transitions.
Ultimately, feedback is my compass, and authentic transformation is my fuel. I learn from peers, mentors, and, most of all, from the leaders I serve—those brave enough to drop the mask and own their authentic impact.
Final Thoughts: Where Authenticity Meets Impact
Shawn Hoh embodies the next wave of leadership development in Singapore—grounded in identity, focused on authentic growth, and willing to address the real challenges emerging leaders face.
Importantly, his work reminds us that leadership isn’t just a title or performance—it’s a journey of owning who you are and leading from that authentic foundation.
As Singapore prepares for the future, voices like Shawn Hoh’s will help anchor us in what matters most: developing leaders who can honour the past while creating a sustainable, human-centered future.
Highlights
This article is part of the SG60 Showcase series—spotlighting leaders, changemakers, and visionaries shaping Singapore’s next 60 years. Stay tuned for more!
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
