Virtues of Loyalty

Loyalty is a big thing with Mr Vincent Wee, Senior Vice President, Corporate Projects, Group Chief Financial Officer’s Office, CapitaLand Limited. The man who has worked with CapitaLand for the last 17 years is fiercely loyal to the company. Much of that dedication is the result of how the company has nurtured him over the years, too.

“14 years ago, my wife was offered a post in Australia and since my daughter was only six and my son was two, we took the opportunity to migrate to Australia. I thought I had to give up working for CapitaLand,” he shares.

When he tendered his resignation, the company sought to retain him in the CapitaLand family. Vincent eventually joined Australand, a property group in Australia that was a subsidiary under CapitaLand group.

Vincent would spend the next 11 years in Australia working his way to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Residential, Australand.

Dedication to Work and Family

“Going there and eventually coming back to Singapore, I always thought of staying with the company. In this fast-moving world, this is not a value the younger people hold to as much,” he smiles.

But Vincent was quick to point out that loyalty has worked the other way round as well. CapitaLand has been faithful at keeping him within the fold and constantly challenging and growing him personally and professionally.

“CapitaLand is big enough to take people in and keep them invigorated with opportunities to move within the Group. This is why employees who have worked here for a long time are still challenged and mentally refreshed. I am grateful that the company has been loyal to me as much I have remained loyal to it,” Vincent added.

Imparting a Sense of Loyalty

Not surprisingly, Vincent was surrounded with loyalty and devotion through his growing up years in Malaysia – he always had pet dogs at home.

“Sometimes there were more, sometimes fewer. But there were always pet dogs at home. And they seem to know when I am coming home from school because they will wait for me at the bus-stop to welcome me,” he recounts of his carefree days of youth.

“Even now, when I come home late at night, it is my dog that comes out to greet me,” he beams with pride as he talks about the faithfulness of his four year old mini poodle, Hazel.

Such devotion remains his guiding principle in life. In fact, it has shaped the way he nurtures his staff. Vincent, who has a degree in Economics from Monash University, Australia, and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, United Kingdom, strongly believes in the importance of instilling in his staff a sense of loyalty to the company.

“If employees are well-taken care of, their loyalty to the company will increase and retention rates would be higher,” he believes. So, Vincent makes sure his staff have the chance to grow and shine.

“Like a cup of cappuccino, when it fills the cup, the froth also rises. I’m not worried that they are smarter than me. When you manage smart people, the collective output of work from the team is better. My greatest joy would be if someone from my team stays long enough to become a leader within CapitaLand because it then shows that I have taught them well,” says Vincent of his staff.

Such loyalty and dedication are traits that Vincent holds dearly. They are also the very same values that he has gleaned from his loyal companion, Hazel.

In fact, if one simply observes Hazel, one may attribute its unconditional love and faithfulness to its propensity to forgive and forget.

“I enjoy having dogs because their love for its owner is unconditional. For instance, even when I give Hazel a scolding sometimes, she never seems to hold a grudge. Instead, she will put it behind her and will welcome me the next opportunity,” shared Mr Wee.

The same secured stance and positive outlook is also what Vincent now adopts and imparts to his children.

“Life is full of ups and downs. It’s all a matter of how fast you pick yourself up and move on. You cannot change the past. If you are down, get it off your chest. Talk to someone, talk to your boss or your spouse then put it behind you and look forward to the next challenges,” he advises.

“When I move on, I don’t remember anymore. That’s how I move on and embrace new opportunities.”