🎧 Listen now:
• From Prison Psychology to Corporate HR: The Unexpected Leadership Lessons [00:02:00]
Effin shares his unconventional career journey, revealing why he found managing corporate professionals harder than working with violent offenders in prison.
• Why Top-Down Leadership is Broken in a Multi-Gen Workforce [00:09:30]
The workplace is changing, and Gen Z and Millennials won’t follow outdated leadership styles. Effin explains why empathy and adaptability are now non-negotiable leadership traits.
• Reverse Mentorship: What Leaders Can Learn from Gen Z [00:11:40]
Effin shares a hilarious yet insightful story about decoding Gen Z slang and how mentorship should be a two-way street for bridging generational gaps.
• Retention Isn’t About Time—It’s About Impact [00:21:45]
The old rule of staying three to five years is dead. Effin argues why measuring impact over tenure is the key to hiring and retaining top talent.
• The Workplace of the Future: Flexibility, Engagement & Tech-Enabled Success [00:34:00]
From remote work to digital tools, Effin breaks down what organizations must do to create a thriving, future-ready workforce.
In today's rapidly evolving work environment, understanding and managing a multi-generational workforce presents both challenges and opportunities for leaders. Effin Jamalludin, Head of People and Organizational Development at Singlife, shares insights on how empathy and adaptability are crucial traits for leaders navigating these complex dynamics.
“The core of effective leadership hinges on understanding the people you lead. The traditional top-down approach isn't sufficient anymore,"
notes Jamalludin. Jamalludin emphasizes the importance of fostering interactions between different generations to cultivate mutual understanding. He cites Singlife's mentorship program as a powerful tool, offering senior leaders and younger employees opportunities for reverse mentorship. "When you're a mentor to someone from a different generation, you gain insights into their perspectives, which can broaden your understanding of the workforce as a whole," he explains.
Creating an inclusive environment where diverse insights are valued also drives innovation and engagement, leading to improved organizational outcomes.
The traditional notion of time-based tenure as a marker for performance is becoming increasingly antiquated. Jamalludin advocates for outcome-oriented assessments, stating,
“Instead of focusing on how long someone stays, we should concentrate on the outcomes they achieve during their tenure."
This shift requires organizations to implement clear and concise goals with defined time frames. For instance, Jamalludin has observed that measuring achievements on a bi-monthly basis can significantly increase productivity. "In industries like tech, where rapid innovation is crucial, having frequent assessments allows organizations to stay agile and competitive," he notes.
This approach not only enhances the clarity and effectiveness of performance metrics but also aligns individual contributions with broader company goals, thus driving sustained growth and development.
Understanding generational characteristics and motivators is essential for fostering a harmonious and productive workplace. Jamalludin stresses that each generation's unique experiences and backgrounds shape their expectations and engagement levels. For instance, Gen X prioritizes stability and loyalty, having lived through significant economic upheavals, while millennials—often labeled the "me generation"—are driven by achievement and competition.
On the other hand, Gen Z values instant gratification and rapid feedback, influenced by their upbringing in the digital age. "When there's a disconnect between generational expectations and the workplace environment, it can lead to misunderstandings and reduced cohesiveness," warns Jamalludin.
Engaging and retaining talent in a multi-generational workplace requires nuanced strategies that go beyond simple tenure tracking. Forward-thinking organizations like Singlife demonstrate that blending empathetic leadership, outcome-focused goals, and an understanding of generational motivators is key to thriving in today's complex HR landscape. This holistic approach not only maximizes employee potential but also drives sustained business success.
"Two key critical competencies that you need to have to be successful as a manager, whether you're Gen X or any level, one is empathy, putting yourself in other people's shoes. Second thing is adaptability."
— Effin Jamalludin
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Effin Jamalludin
Effin Jamalludin is the Executive Director and Head of People & Organisation Development at Singlife, where he spearheads transformative HR strategies to enhance organisational performance. A board-registered Psychologist and seasoned HR leader, Effin brings expertise in leadership development, succession planning, organisational design, and change management.
With over a decade of experience across multinational corporations, start-ups, and government agencies in APAC and EMEA, Effin has successfully driven initiatives that boost productivity and people performance. His career includes impactful roles at TikTok, ByteDance, Korn Ferry, and Heidrick & Struggles, where he led talent management, assessment, and leadership development projects.
Effin is a certified Strengths Coach with credentials in advanced assessment and competency frameworks, including Korn Ferry and Hogan Assessment Systems. He holds a Master’s in Organisational Psychology from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Western Australia. A passionate advocate for innovation and resilience, Effin is committed to building high-performing teams that empower people and organisations to thrive.
Dorothy Yiu is the CEO & Co-Founder of EngageRocket, one of Asia’s top EX & people analytics platforms. She brings over a decade of experience in human resources, technology, and business strategy. Before co-founding EngageRocket, Dorothy was the Regional Head of Operations for Gallup, where she oversaw more than 100 large-scale consulting projects globally.
Recognised for her leadership in HR and technology, Dorothy was awarded Leader of the Year at the HR Vendors of the Year Awards 2024 by Human Resources Online. She holds two degrees from Singapore Management University under the Lee Kong Chian Scholarship and was named an SG Digital Leader by IMDA in 2024. She was also NTT’s Women of the Future nominee in 2022.