Hall of Fame
5 people proved them wrong
And then they did.
The most enduring strengths are often those built by starting from scratch every single day.
Through decades in global tech and banking, I learned to value the slow recovery of rehab and the steady advocacy for others, anchored by the memory of the mother who carried me.
Alan Pek Kian Aik · Banking
#WTYYCThe Told
"Hi All, I am grateful to share a journey. In late 1960s, a little boy had Cerebral Palsy and had to learn everything from scratch till he was seven. Till today, he is still learning. He was brought up by his foster family, especially his mama who piggybacked him, till she left in 2020, she lives in him, unconditional loving-kindly. In late 80s, he graduated from UK, and worked in SG for a US computer company for almost a decade in US working on Expert Systems. Since mid 1997, he has been working in IT area of a Global Bank. He has been advocating for the special need community. He has survived a few strokes in 2025 and a fall in 2026, with love from family, colleagues, friends and all; TCM, Acupuncture, Rehab, Therapy and own wishes. More can be found, when search using Alan Pek in Google, Linkedin, Youtube and etc. With blessing, Alan"
The Did
Be grateful, not granted.
The voice you use to lead Often begins in the quiet work of finding your own.
I found my way through weekly stacks of library books and a quiet commitment to learning. Eventually, that silence turned into teaching, leading teams, and helping others own their own voices.
Cindi Wirawan · Professional speaking and coaching
#WTYYCThe Told
"When I first moved to Singapore as a little girl my schoolmates made fun of me and said things like: You’re mute and your English is horrible. You will never make friends here."
The Did
I went to the library and borrowed 16 English books every week. After 2 years of reading my English improved. I ended up teaching English and even leading a team of English teachers. Today I’m a professional speaker. I also run a networking community and help leaders to own their voices on LinkedIn and in real life. p.s. I have made lots of incredible friends along the way :)
A legacy of stability is often built through quiet, daily persistence.
Mine looked like years of consistency at the piano bench, grounding my children in strong values, and trusting that a life built on steady work would provide enough.
Jenny Lee · Music
#WTYYCThe Told
"I was told I can't give my kids a decent living and kickstart with a job as a piano teacher."
The Did
I worked really hard, and focused on teaching my kids good values. They have now graduated from top University schools and are excelling in their career.
Leadership often begins with the same qualities that others initially underestimate.
I built high-performing cybersecurity teams through pragmatism and technical credibility. The very qualities once marked as unsuitable became the foundation of a strategic, direct leadership style.
Richard Lau · Energy, Gas, Telco, Transportation, Retail, Manufacturing, Finance
#WTYYCThe Told
"I was once told by a senior leader that I wasn't suited for management."
The Did
I left that organisation and went on to build and lead high-performing cybersecurity teams across multiple enterprises. The very qualities they saw as unsuitable, my pragmatism, my focus on cost-saving delivery, my strategic mindset, my technical credibility, my directness, and my unconventional path turned out to be my greatest leadership assets. Sometimes the best response to doubt isn't to debate it. It's to outgrow the room where it was spoken and most importantly believing in yourself.
Leadership does not begin once you finally look like a leader
True influence grew from training executives in AI and cybersecurity, shifting deep-seated behaviors, and documenting those lessons across four books.
Shamane Tan · Cybersecurity
#WTYYCThe Told
"I was told I cannot speak on leadership. I don’t look it. To speak on leadership and be respected, I was made to feel I had to be a general who had led his army into battle and won. Or a CEO who had rescued a multinational corporation in crisis."
The Did
I did more with my current tribe of CxOs. I continued finding more innovative ways to train executives in cybersecurity and AI, shifting awareness and influencing behaviours. I wrote my 4th book. Guess the title? Who Told You You Couldn’t!