The Singapore Civil Service College (CSC) marks its 25th anniversary this year - a milestone in transformative leadership development. CSC aims to "deepen public officers' knowledge and capabilities, strengthen their understanding and empathy for the needs of our citizens, and reinforce their values and commitment to excellence". My decade-plus journey as an Associate Coach with CSC since 2012 feels deeply meaningful. It was here that I launched my executive coaching career, making the College also a formative "alma mater" of my second career.
The word “civil servant” has always carried an Old World resonance for me, which prompted me to learn more about its meaning. I came to appreciate that our government defines a civil servant as a professional, politically neutral administrator who helps carry out government policy and serve the public interest. The word “civil” distinguishes them from military personnel, while “servant” underscores a duty to the state and to citizens rather than to private profit.
Since then, I have partnered with more than a hundred coachees through CSC, and I continue to learn from their deep service orientation, selfless stewardship, and commitment to advancing our nation’s progress. As a citizen myself, I am in awe of their contribution and privileged to play a part in supporting their personal development, which in turn creates a positive impact for us all.
Today, I am grateful to have received a testimonial from Zheng Yi, who not only works at CSC but is also a certified ICF ACC coach. Zheng Yi’s words are especially meaningful to me because while I support my coachees in their development, I also receive much in return through their trust, reflection, and lived experience. If I were to borrow an analogy, coaching is a little like holding up a mirror - helping others see themselves more clearly, while creating space for warmth, insight, and growth. That reciprocity is one of the great privileges of this work.
“Woon is an amazing coach who creates a safe and supportive space for meaningful conversations. What I particularly appreciate about her approach is her skillful use of analogies - this resonates deeply with my learning style and helps me access meaningful insights. Through our sessions, Woon has enhanced my self-leadership capabilities and overall leadership awareness.
Her coaching has boosted my confidence, enabling me to engage more effectively with challenging stakeholders and find constructive ways to navigate while staying true to my values. She was an invaluable sounding board that helped me better integrate my personal circumstances with my professional responsibilities, creating a more sustainable approach to leadership and consistent performance.
One of Woon’s greatest strengths is her ability to help unlock mental energy that becomes trapped in ineffective patterns and approaches. Her insights helped me identify blind spots I hadn’t recognised, leading to meaningful shifts in my leadership practice.
As a fellow coach myself, I’m truly grateful that our paths crossed. Having the opportunity to learn from Woon and experience her coaching has been both professionally enriching and personally transformative. I would highly recommend her to any leader seeking to elevate their effectiveness and self-awareness.”
— Tan Zheng Yi, Assistant Director/Lead L&D Specialist, Strategic HR & Digital Capabilities, Institute of Public Administration and Management, Civil Service College