Nanz and I were at the Global Social Innovators Forum just last Thursday through Saturday. It was my first time — and Nanz’s — and wow, it was pretty awesome.
Our treasured friend Elim Chew had a vision for a world-class forum that would draw thinkers from around the globe to our island. She “wanted to bring all these brains and expose Singaporeans to a global level of thinking.” Well, her thinking worked!
When Elim gets excited, other people get excited. GSIF is the baby of Member of Parliament Penny Low, who, with Elim, made it happen through sheer force of their personalities.
Social innovators are the individuals and the companies and policymakers who recognize that a new world has emerged, and we must learn new ways to manage it. The earth that has been ravaged greatly during the industrial age has now to be lovingly restored (yes we can!). The divide between the first world and third world countries has to be bridged. Leaders can no longer take – the new style of leadership is to serve and to give, and first of all, to love.
The opening session had one of my heroes as a young (impressionable) reader — Alvin Toffler, whose book Future Shock made my heart pound and head race. His prediction of the “Third Wave” (his other book that sent chills down my spine) is happening before our very eyes. The age of “knowledge-based industry” is upon us and industrialists are trying to figure out how to solve new problems with obsolete tools. The economic crisis we face, he says, cannot be solved by throwing in money and leaning on what has traditionally worked because even economics has shifted in this knowledge-based world. (Oops, too many billions too late.)
Social innovators may not be very well-paid now, says Toffler, but they are the world’s biggest heroes.
Other luminaries who came included Rob Walton (CEO of Walmart, which is on the forefront of supporting sustainable products), Peter Seligmann, founder of Conservation International (the Singapore branch launched during GSIF), Suhas Gopinath the world’s youngest CEO (of Globals Inc, a web solutions company) and Calvin Chin, the enigmatic founder of Qifang which matches needy tertiary students to big-hearted funders.
The star of the conference was John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit organization that provides financial literacy to low-wealth communities. An advisor to the White House, Bryant’s magnetic personality and quick wit drew everyone to his message of “love leadership”. Love leadership is to lead by showing love — being vulnerable (!), using loss to birth forth a leader, refusing to let fear be your motivator, giving (which leads to getting) and, what made my ear prick up — love is money.
It’s wrong to think that capitalism is all money, zero love. It’s equally wrong to think that doing good means you gotta be broke. Bryant proposed that we can all “do well by doing good”. It can be a win-win situation.
He is obviously living that statement. And frankly he makes me want to learn just how to do that — because that’s exactly what Nanz Inc wants to do: DO WELL BY DOING GOOD.
John Hope Bryant launched his book Love Leadership at the GSIF. Nanz (and her daughter Zara) and I queued for his autograph. Nanz gave him a copy of her book, which he promised to read on the plane (somehow I doubt he read all 99 chapters). What captivated him was Zara, whom he carried for a photo. Bryant has a deep and real passion for kids and the potential they carry within them.
He asked me, “Why are you so passionate?” It is a great question to ask — it is a powerful question that puts the answerer in a vulnerable position. If the answerer accepts, and answers truthfully, a bond is instantly built.
So what was my answer? Another blog, another day.
Meanwhile, Elim, if you are reading this — WE LOVE YOU. We are SO proud of you and your vision to expand the minds of your fellow Singaporeans. To quote John Hope Bryant, possibly the most quotable man of our generation: “You feel that your life, what you’ve learned, and what you have to give are valuale to someone else. You’re seeing that person’s life transformed because of you.”
That’s one for you, Elim Chew. Thanks for making GSIF happen!
Photo of Elim and Suhas nicked from Darren Chin’s uploads — great shot Darren!
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Such an inspiration you all
Superwomen! *Smiles*
Yes! I second what Theresa said here! Elim you are indeed SHEROES!
GSIF 2009 is such an enriching experience…. I was there on 3 Oct 09. Itz my 1st exposure. My heart so resonate wif d panels… words… in fact I got so emotional dat I teared abit. I m so smitten by GSIF bug! I m so surprised dat d panel wld b so real. Dr Ting Choong Meng says dat in tiz crisis we hv not tkn a Hypocratic Oath, done in medicine, but a “Hypocrites” Oath. How some doctors purposely gave diagnosis dat’ll give them higher yield rather dan as it is. He said “Luv pple & use thgs & not vice versa” What a gd reminder! I luv wat John Hope Bryant says ‘Do GOOD & do Well” & tiz isn’t a recession but a global reset-& a crisis of virtues & values, & not an economic crisis.. I saw dat JHB is a man wif a great heart, humility & yet wif authority & power! Melissa Aaratoni Kwee even mentioned w/o reservation how she felt repulsive 2wards foreign worker broker who took 6-12mths of their salary & tiz happens right within her hotel. I saw how JHB applaud & commended Melissa 4 such righteous spirit & commending Penny Low on your integrity! At every of all these words being spoken, I almost shouted out loud “WELL SAID! YES!” I saw how humble Prof Adrian David Cheok is. How in his invention he added in d social part in2 it. I saw d beautiful soul in each & every1 of them. Yes, I begin 2 c who Melissa is… such a beautiful women fm within. No wonder she got all those awards. She is so deserving….so deserving…. it's pple like her, JHB, Elim Chew, Penny Low who made d world a much better place 2 live in. So gd 2 hv such beautiful & dynamic pple in d biz & political world. love 2 b in d co. of such beautiful pple…Yes! Social Enterpreneur! Amazing pple. I salute all of u! I luv u all! There still so many thgs so well said there & beautiful spirit I saw but 2 much 2 pen down here. Itz such a beautiful thg 2 add in d social aspect in2 entrepreneurship! Juz wonderful! WONDERFUL! TQ Penny & Elim 4 bringing all of these 2 fruition!
Jo – thanks for your wonderful comments! It really makes my spirit fly to see positive power come out from a gathering of positive, purposeful, passionate people like JHB and my sweet friend Melissa Kwee. Maybe one day soon we can contribute to GSIF meaningfully… it would be an honour.
I'm so glad you had a good time! I couldn't take time off to go support. Elim is great isn't she? She's got such a big heart.
I got a chance to meet Bryant's wife the last time she was here. Amazing woman! I am amazed at what these two are doing!
Thank you so much .I truly Appreciate all your support and all your love. Theresa And Nanz..I know and i know that This will be the most wonderful platform for Asian women and the RIse of New Asian Women that will create great impact.Thank you for your friendship and I am so honored to be your Friend.Love you all ! God Bless
Charissa! Yes – the Bryants embody what it means that one can put a thousand to flight, and two can put 10,000!
Elim you constantly inspire us to follow you and keep keeping on. We'll run the race together! Help us fulfill Nanz Inc's purpose!
Heya! I was there at the book signing event too. Saw Nanz's book neatly placed on the table, waiting to be read when John's back on the plane.
Yes! I like this…”we can contribute to GSIF meaningfully…” I hope to be one of the we too.
Let's run the Race to Touch 1 million lives at nancinc.com
Keep Going Nanz and Theresa..We are there to support you.
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