Voices // Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Online Only – Thank you, Mr Richard Stanley
Letter from Gilbert Goh
The demise of Mr Richard Stanley, DBS’ ex Cheif Executive Officer left a deep impression on me even though I did not know him personally. Moreover, he died at the young age of 48 years – the same age that I am now.
I always feel that life is too short to live in regret and unfilled dreams.
Like many, I was unhappy with Mr Stanleywhe I heard that DBS had retrenched 900 staff at the beginning of the year. It made me mad. How could he?
Through the comments reported in the press, my impression of him has changed. How I wish that when I die, I would receive a quarter of the accolodaes he had. He had indeed left behind a legacy of which his loved ones will be proud of.
I have learned three profound lessons from Mr Stanley’s short but impactful life:
1. Be humble – however successful you are.
Though Mr Stanley climbed up the corporate ladder successfully, he never let his achievements overcome him. On the contrary, he remained humble and down to earth. The Straits Times’ report on how he reacted nonchantly when a security guard stopped him because the guard did not recognise him brought tears to my eyes. Many other top brass officials would have given the guard a dressing down.
This is something many of us can learn from him. Many people I know turn snobbish when they become successful. They lose their own personality and humility when they let success overtake their humanity.
2. Be loving – however busy you are.
Mr Stanley’s lifestyle also taught me the value of staying loving, however busy you are, especially to your family members.
Media reports have shown us that he was a loving family man often wanting to spend time with his family members in spite of a busy work schedule.
This recession has in fact woredr out well for many friends who now have enough time to spend with their loved ones.
Mr Stanley has taught me that if a top banking CEO can find the time to spend with his loved ones, how about me? Am I that busy not to be able to find the time to spend with the closest people I have on earth?
3. Be positive – however dreadful the situation is.
I have also learned how to be positive however dreadful the situation is.
Despite his worsening cancer situation, Mr Stanley never wavered in his hope for a favourable turnaround.
He fought a good fight and though he succumbed to the disease, he has not been found wanting of courage and preseverance.
As Singapore enters into a period of difficulty due to a worsening global economy, let us be optimistic and learn from Mr Stanley. Sometimes, when we die, the only things that we leave behind are those that have no actual materialistic value but yet leave an indelible impression on others.
Thank you, Mr Stanley for teaching us how to live.
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