Former Member of Parliament in Singapore, transformative coach, and founder of Lightbearers’ Collective, Carrie Tan brings an unparalleled lens to modern leadership—rooted in empathy, emotional acuity, and system-wide transformation.
With over 36,000 followers and a diverse background spanning Singapore’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Carrie is on a mission to humanize leadership for a rapidly changing world.
In this SG60 Showcase, Carrie shares her insights on multigenerational workplaces, emotional resilience, and why socio-emotional intelligence is Singapore’s next strategic advantage. Whether leading inside a boardroom or advocating for the underserved, she reminds us that what sets people apart in the AI age is not speed—but soul.
Highlights
Emotional Intelligence as National Strategy
Q: How does your work support Singapore’s future priorities?
A: While Singapore leads in many areas such as governance, technology, and finance, future-readiness depends on how well we develop the emotional intelligence of our workforce. In a world of volatility and disruption, socio-emotional astuteness becomes the edge that sets our human capital apart.
I focus on embedding emotional awareness into leadership and organizational culture. Tools that help us manage emotions—not suppress them—are essential to building resilient, future-ready teams. That’s why I speak on topics like “Thriving in Multigenerational Environments”—helping workplaces turn generational friction into collaboration.
My upcoming book, Micro Moments: How Your Mind Sabotages You Every Day, with co-author Andreas Raharso, dives deeper into this, offering precision mental mastery in decision-making that unlocks emotional clarity and reduces misalignment between intentions and outcomes
Bridging Generations with Empathy
Q: Can you share a program that has supported workplace transformation in Singapore?
A: My talk on “Thriving in Multigenerational Environments” has been widely embraced by companies navigating generational divides—from Boomers to Gen Z. Drawing on my coaching practice, I help teams cultivate empathy and use emotional tools to improve collaboration.
These conversations aren’t just about workplace harmony—they’re about unlocking productivity, creativity, and inclusion. When people feel seen and heard, they perform better. This is where emotional literacy becomes a strategic asset.
Preparing Leaders for Complexity at Work and Home
Q: What unique lens do you bring to Singapore’s next chapter of growth?
A: With Singapore’s population aging and caregiving pressures mounting, it’s vital that our leaders understand the emotional realities their teams face—at work and at home.
In an AI-driven era, what makes us irreplaceable is not logic, but empathy. Emotional management enables resilience in crisis and clarity in complexity. Whether we’re navigating hybrid work, family responsibilities, or social change, the ability to self-regulate and relate is what will define successful leaders.
I teach that emotional mastery is not soft—it’s strategic.
Coaching from the Inside Out
Q: What sets your practice apart from other coaches or speakers?
A: I’ve led across all three sectors—nonprofit, corporate, and government. My years as a charity founder and Member of Parliament gave me access to a wide spectrum of human stories—from the ground to the highest levels of policy.
This breadth allows me to coach from deep insight. My work integrates modalities like Compassionate Inquiry, mindfulness, and intuitive practices to help clients access and process emotional blocks, unlocking breakthrough shifts in their leadership, relationships, and outcomes—without needing to force change.
Living the Work, Not Just Teaching It
Q: How do you stay sharp and relevant in your field?
A: I immerse myself in the world of my clients—through lived experience, being mindful and present in all interactions, and take time to travel, go on personal retreats. Daily practices of mindfulness and introspection are a priority. I constantly refine my ability to hold space, sense nuance, and present myself fully.
Socio-emotional work is not intellectual—it’s embodied. I stay ahead by going deeper, not faster.
Final Thoughts: Leading with Soul, Thriving with Presence
Carrie Tan embodies what Singapore needs in its next wave of leadership—empathy, depth, and transformative courage. By reframing emotional intelligence as infrastructure for resilience and collaboration, her work is helping organizations and individuals alike thrive in complexity.
This article is part of the SG60 Showcase series—highlighting voices and visionaries building Singapore’s future. Stay tuned for more.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here.
