Meet Kelvin Kong 👋
Kelvin Kong, with 25 year’s experience, is the Group Chief People Officer of Lightstorm, and a Non-Profit leader in Singapore who is on a mission to build cultures where everyone feels supported, purposeful, highly motivated and is highly performing.
Insights from Kelvin Kong
1) On Culture: What’s one thing you or your team does regularly to build a strong, positive workplace culture?
The People team’s focuses our efforts on ensuring business clarity, and translating strategy into execution well.
2) On Impact: What’s one HR initiative you led or supported that made a clear impact on your team or company? What changed because of it?
The most memorable project I had was when HR was designated as the project leader for a business turnaround, where we facilitate a new business focus, build the new organizational blueprint and build the right momentum & rhythm, which are well supported by other teams.
3) On the Future: What’s one key skill or mindset you think every HR professional in Singapore will need in the next 5 years - and why?
I believe amidst all the important skills we talk about these days, the core is still “heart for people”. I believe that the biggest demand of business in any sector is driven by the needs of humans, which increasingly, is moving towards that of emotional and relational needs. We can (should) keep driving business KPIs, but let’s not forget, the engine is run by people, and thus refer to my earlier point. Few leaders get that right.
4) What’s one HR initiative or practice you believe more companies should adopt to build stronger teams or workplaces — and why?
I think every organization should build a mentoring culture. With this, it means we train everyone to be a listen, to invest time to share experiences, and more importantly signpost others to different resources to help them learn, progress and to deal with challenges. I call this “Mentoring For All” and it will have a profound impact on your culture in 1-2 years.
5) What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career in HR or people leadership?
Run the company, like the way you will run your family.
6) What’s one workplace trend you’re excited about — and one you’re cautious of?
I think everyone is becoming more results focused. That is good, and my “red” energy craves for results. However, too much focus on that, without considering what the soldiers on the grounds need (and actually making time to cater to those needs), can bring down a business overnight, literally.
Connect with Kelvin Kong.
Want to learn more or connect with Kelvin?
👉 View Kelvin Kong's LinkedIn Profile
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As Singapore marks 60 years of progress, SG60: 60 People Leaders Shaping Workplaces honours the people leaders building cultures where people thrive.
Each spotlight captures authentic experiences and actionable wisdom from HR professionals making a difference in Singapore’s evolving world of work.