With over two decades of experience in workforce development, Dr Wendy Tan has been shaping how individuals and organizations learn, adapt and transform. As the co-founder of the Flame Centre, she works alongside Singapore’s leading institutions to strengthen learning agility and foster human-centered thinking in a technology-driven world.
In this SG60 Showcase feature, Dr Tan reflects on how her research and thought leadership help organizations thrive in the face of disruption. From developing learning cultures as an adaptive advantage to cultivating human skills to lead in the AI era, she shares thoughtful insights into building a future-ready workforce.
Highlights
Transforming Learning for a Resilient Workforce
Q: You’ve led significant programs that support workforce transformation. Can you share one that has contributed to Singapore’s development?
A: Over the past five years, we’ve been steadily evolving Flame Centre into a trusted learning partner, grounded in research and practical applications. We’ve had the privilege of working with agencies like SkillsFuture Singapore and the Institute of Banking and Finance to support the national effort in upskilling and reskilling our workforce.
A key idea that threads through our work is learning agility—the ability to learn and adapt in the face of uncertainty. It’s something I’ve explored in journals like MIT Sloan Management Review and TD Magazine, and it has shaped how we design culture building programs for organizations.
We focus on building everyday habits that support continuous learning, organizational agility and innovation. This ranges from helping professionals learn consistently and productively, to leaders building routines to innovate and organizations building self-empowered learning cultures.
Our work is rooted in applied research and strengthened through collaborative partnerships with client organizations, always with the aim of contributing meaningfully to Singapore’s evolving skills agenda.
Navigating AI with Human-Centered Thinking and Learning Agility
Q: What specific expertise do you bring to support Singapore’s next chapter of growth?
A: My work focuses on two interrelated areas—learning agility and how we think in a world increasingly shaped by AI. As technology evolves, we all need to reimagine how we learn and work. That’s where learning agility becomes vital.
I also study how AI impacts our cognitive habits. As machines increasingly take over cognitive tasks, there’s a growing risk that we become passive or overly reliant—a phenomenon I call “cognitive sloth.” So I focus on strengthening the thinking skills that remain uniquely human—critical, intuitive, and process thinking.
These insights are woven into our programs, helping leaders and teams use AI intentionally while staying sharp and self-directed. In many ways, this work complements Singapore’s vision of an inclusive and future-ready society.
Q: How many professionals in Singapore have you reached through your work?
A: It’s been deeply meaningful to have connected with over 10,000 professionals through our programs, keynotes, and research collaborations. We’ve partnered with major institutions in the financial, medical industries and government agencies alike.
In every engagement, we see an opportunity to learn collaboratively and help people become more adaptive and confident in the face of change.
Research-based Practice and Whole-system Transformation
Q: What sets your approach apart from others in your field?
A: I take a whole system view, which means I don’t just look at individual skills, but how the entire organization can support learning and innovation.
At Flame Centre, we view organizations as living systems that naturally evolve in response to their environment. So instead of one-off interventions, we focus on enabling the structures, culture, and leadership habits that sustain change.
Our approach is grounded in research-based thought leadership and consistently adapted to the real-world challenges our clients face. Ultimately, it’s this combination—of deep insight, practical design, and strong client partnerships—that drives our work.
Q: How do you stay ahead in such a dynamic field?
A: I try to live what I teach—learning agility. Flame Centre is also my learning lab, where we’re always experimenting and stretching ourselves. I learn so much from my team, our clients, and fellow collaborators.
I also make it a point to stay close to emerging research and seek out diverse perspectives. But more than anything, I apply what I learn to real problems—that’s where theory meets practice, and where growth happens.
Final Thoughts: Why Dr Wendy Tan Is Helping Shape Singapore’s Future Workforce
Dr Wendy Tan exemplifies the blend of scientific insight and practical application needed in the field of workforce transformation, driven by a deep care for people and our collective future.
Building on years of expertise, her work on learning agility and human capabilities bridges research and practice, effectively equipping individuals and organizations to thrive amid change. Through her efforts, she is helping to build not only future-ready skills, but also the mindsets and systems that underpin a resilient, empowered workforce.
Highlights
This article is part of the SG60 Showcase series—spotlighting leaders, thinkers, and builders shaping Singapore’s next 60 years. Stay tuned for more.
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
