Crystal's Notes 19 July

What credentials did I have to pivot from investment banking to what I do now? None.

It was 100% mindset, persuasion skills and strategic thinking, plus theory of happenstance.

I stumbled into investment banking even though I studied law because I’d crashed a banking recruitment event for free food. I struck up a conversation with the corporate financier giving the speech, he gave me his card and said, “You’re a great storyteller. Maybe you should work in investment banking.”

That led to a job. Then I moved into equities sales. Again, with no experience, but I learnt that anyone can sell with the right mindset, attitude, and ability to learn on the job.

I then became a stay-at-home mum in the Australian countryside. No credentials there either. It was just the most important job I’ve ever done.

Then I started a business running personal growth retreats. Still no formal training. Just capital, curiosity, resilience, and obsessive learning.

Eventually, I joined the education space and found a centre at NUS. I didn’t have a Master’s or PhD. But I had ideas. Someone introduced me to the Provost, I met with the President, presented to the Deanery about future-ready skills, and I got the job.

Then came leadership consulting. I started with no coaching certificates. But people heard about my work at NUS and started sending me their teams, their senior leadership, their executive teams.

You don’t always need the qualifications. But you do need brains, social skills and hunger. These three things will take you further than you think.

Looking back, it sometimes feels surreal, because I was the kid who was once told I was the worst of the worst at school.

From being told I was hopeless, I went on to becoming a founding director at NUS, to standing on stage representing Singapore at international academic conferences, to giving the keynote at a Harvard symposium, to being invited as guest of honour at MOE events, and now, to advising companies globally about what real education actually is.

I don’t want to complain that our education system is broken, unfair or depressing, or that we are victims. I want to play a part in inspiring others, and to find love again in learning, never mind if classrooms once broke your spirit and heart. I want people to know their voice is worthy, never mind if teachers once told them to shut up, or if perfect girls giggled at their questions. I want people to all feel like they deserve to exist, and not have to earn their worthiness through grades, tuition or accomplishments. We all have so much to give and so much to learn in our one precious lifetime. In the end, this is what drives me every day to do what I do.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to begin. Our Deep Human training programmes are where many people start. I hope you’ll join us.

Much love

Crystal