We had just presented our research findings and recommendations to the team of Emergenetics International – Asia-Pacific (EGI-A) in a semi-formal yet cosy presentation dinner two weeks ago at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Shaw Foundation Alumni House. This marked the end of a memorable and fulfilling 6-month partnership for me, both as an NUS Business School undergraduate as well as an Emergenetics Associate.
And it’s a wrap! A picture with the management team of Emergenetics, the Vice and Assistant Deans of NUS Business School as well as the team of 12!
As part of the NUS Bizad Leadership Development Programme (BLDP), a team of 12 undergraduates partnered EGI-A to conduct an exploratory research to devise an effective Go-To-Market Strategy for the market in Greater China. This partnership entailed the team undergoing a Meeting of a Minds workshop to appreciate Emergenetics as a psychometric tool, dedicated time to secondary research, conducting personal interviews with Business Leaders and HR Managers in Shanghai, and a final presentation to deliver our findings and recommendations.
The Meeting of the Minds Workshop proved to be a fantastic opener for this project as the team of 12 were barely acquainted prior to the workshop. The participants were personally invested
and curious about both their own preferences as well as that of their peers. It was especially fulfilling as a trainer, to witness how participants voluntarily and actively connected their past experiences working with one another to their preferences. Conversations followed through during the break and over lunch, as participants explored how their new-found knowledge of the Emergenetics Profile could be applied to various aspects of life.
A delighted team after an enriching Meeting of the Minds Workshop!
The true magic of the Emergenetics Profile was certainly realised and witnessed during the 5 days spent together as a team in Shanghai. These 5 days marked a period of excitement and stress as our entire project depended on the efficacy of this trip. The day was spent collecting insights through interviews while nights were spent analysing the data and building our recommendations. Such stress and pressure provided the perfect context for the team to understand one another’s preferences, play to their strengths, and capitalise on effective team dynamics!
Having profiled more than 100 participants prior to this project, I must admit that I was amazed by how this team applied their understanding of Emergenetics to great effect! Participants constantly referred to their own preferences to explain his or her working style and leveraged on the preferences of others to overcome one’s blind spots. Conflicts were also amicably resolved through Emergenetics, a simpler way to understand each other. By the end of the 5-day overseas trip, the team left Shanghai with a deep understanding and appreciation of Emergenetics that we will never forget.
Team having reunion dinner together in Shanghai. Don’t we look like a family?
Making the most of every minute by updating each other of our progress while waiting for our food.
Grateful to all who agreed and made time to participate in our interviews!
This journey with Emergenetics has been rewarding for two reasons. Firstly, the mentorship provided by Terence Quek and Deborah Chew, CEO and COO of EGI-A, was invaluable as they prioritised the growth and development of the participating team even more so than the deliverables that we were tasked to complete. Secondly, Emergenetics gave us a simple and effective language to understand one another. This resulted in great team dynamics and wonderful experiences. Decades down the road, I am sure that we will look back and laugh over the hilarious moments, such as the times when individuals with a conceptual preference repeatedly ‘played by ear’, much to the exasperation of those with a structural preference.
Project Kick-off at Emergenetics International – Asia Pacific’s office.
About NUS Bizad Leadership Development Programme (BLDP)
The BIZAD Leadership Development Programme (BLDP) provides Business students with additional development opportunities to realise their leadership potential and emerge as a more holistic and outstanding graduate.
Students are selected in their freshman year, and will undertake BIZAD Leadership Modules unique to the programme. This comprises Independent Study Modules encompassing leadership studies, learning with actual CEOs, and an intensive 2-week module (Executive-MBA style) on Business Leadership Case Analysis. In addition, the programme will see students participate in various activities which includes an Overseas Study Mission, Mentoring by a Bizad Alumnus Executive, visits to CEOs and development workshops.
About Lionel Tan
Lionel Tan is a 3rd year undergraduate at NUS Business School. Placing great emphasis on achieving academic excellence, he is an NUS Business Dean Scholar, a Li & Fung Scholarship holder and has achieved the Dean’s List every semester that he has studied at NUS.
As a certified Emergenetics Associate, Lionel co-founded Intriva with the goal of empowering youths to achieve holistic excellence through self-awareness and effective self-management. Youths are also coached academically with the help of an internally developed tracking programme. Lionel is also Vice-Chairman of the Boon Lay Youth Executive Committee and pursues his passion of overseas community work by serving at an orphanage in Yangon, Myanmar on an annual basis since 2013.
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