Reimagining HR as Business Driver with Purpose and People: Li Lian Tan

💡 Episode Key Insights

• Shared Purpose as Culture Glue at Mediacorp [00:00:00]
Li Lian reveals how “create, connect, and inspire” is more than a slogan—it’s a unifying purpose that bridges creative and corporate teams, driving both business outcomes and employee engagement.

• HR as a Profit Centre: Turning Crisis Into Opportunity [00:03:59]
She describes how, during the COVID-19 crisis at SATS, she convinced leadership to invest in people instead of layoffs, transforming HR into a profit centre and demonstrating the function’s business impact.

• Flexibility and Trust as Core Business Strategy [00:12:51]
Li Lian shares why flexibility at Mediacorp is a deliberate strategy, not a perk—shifting focus from hours worked to value delivered, and building a trust-based culture that powers engagement and resilience.

• Authentic Connection at Scale: Moving Beyond Scripts [00:15:00]
She details how real connection comes from authenticity and access, highlighting Mediacorp’s shift from traditional top-down communication to honest, two-way hybrid town halls that inspire true engagement.

• Future-Ready HR: Digital Fluency, Learning, and Empathy [00:22:02]
Li Lian outlines her vision for a workplace that is human, flexible, and purpose-driven—anchored by trust, continuous learning, and empathy—so organisations can thrive amid industry disruption and rapid change.

 

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People-First Approach with a Purpose

Li Lian Tan, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Mediacorp, Singapore's largest media network, has shown how a people-first approach can be transformative. Her journey into HR began from an unexpected place: a finance degree. Yet, this unconventional path has sharpened her focus on valuing employees beyond their roles in an organisation. As Tan remarks, "When done right, HR can be a strategic driver of business value, innovation, and resilience.”

Tan’s story from her time at SATS is particularly inspiring. Faced with the potential retrenchment of thousands of employees during the COVID-19 crisis, she advocated for investing in the workforce instead. "Life is not just about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain," she recalls. This led to the creation of SATS Academy, which, with government support, turned a dire situation into an opportunity for rebuilding skills. This initiative not only protected jobs but also transformed the HR department into a profit centre, a dream turned reality for Tan.

What stood out during this challenging period was not just the strategy, but the outcome: improved employee engagement scores and industry recognition. The human element in HR not only transforms workplaces but builds stronger, more resilient organisations.

 

Flexibility: The Strategic Driver of Success

The concept of flexibility in the workplace is increasingly becoming a crucial strategy, rather than a perk, across industries. According to Tan, “Flexibility isn’t about where you work, it’s about how you deliver value.” This shift from traditional practices to outcome-focused strategies enables creative and corporate teams to work effectively and harmoniously at Mediacorp.

Tan describes a trust-based culture where "leaders are empowered to make decisions for their teams, and employees are trusted to manage their time and energy responsibly." This shift from an hours-based evaluation to one based on impact and productivity is reshaping workplaces globally. At Mediacorp, the introduction of flexible structures around wellbeing and learning has been a cornerstone in building a connected workplace. Tan stresses that “flexibility without connection can quickly become isolation,” highlighting the need for thoughtful integration of flexibility with consistent engagement strategies.

Thus, in today's rapidly changing work environments, flexibility emerges as the foundation of successful enterprises, driving performance and inclusivity while fostering a resilient workforce.

 

Building Connection and Trust at Scale

A recurring theme in Mediacorp's strategy is the need for authentic connection at scale, which Tan emphasises is crucial for fostering a cohesive organisational culture. "People want to hear directly from leaders, not in a scripted way but in honest two-way dialogue," she notes. Mediacorp’s hybrid town halls are a testament to this belief, offering a unification point for diverse employee roles.

Transitioning from traditional, one-way communication channels to more interactive formats has been key for Mediacorp. The focus has shifted from sheer dissemination of information to nurturing an environment where employees are heard and valued. Tan advocates that “when leaders show vulnerability, listen sincerely, and act on feedback, that's when culture becomes real and not just words on a wall.”

A work culture that values open interaction paves the way for deeper trust and robust team dynamics, aligning everyone to a unified purpose. This connection at scale is instrumental in achieving an engaged workforce, which Mediacorp exemplifies with high employee pride and engagement scores.

Tan’s leadership highlights the evolving landscape of HR, where trust, flexibility, and purpose lead the way. By focusing on these core principles, HR leaders can transform their workplaces into vibrant hubs of innovation and growth. In organisations where flexibility is viewed as an enabler and connection is anchored in trust, the future of work looks promising. As Tan underscores, "Technology may shape the future of work, but it is people who will define it." This vision for HR not only anticipates the needs of today’s workforce but sets a strong foundation for tomorrow's challenges and opportunities.

 

Related Resources

• Connect with Li Lian Tan

• Connect with Dorothy Yiu

• Join the HR Impact community: Sign Up

 

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MEET OUR GUEST

Li Lian Tan

 

Ms Lilian Tan is a highly regarded HR leader with extensive experience spanning over two decades in human capital management and organisational change. Her career has encompassed leadership positions in diverse industries, including professional services, telecommunications, information technology, aviation, real estate, hospitality, services and media across different geographical locations globally.

Prior to assuming the role of Chief Human Resources Officer at Mediacorp, Ms Tan was the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Mustard Seed Consulting Group. She was the former Group Chief Human Resources Officer in City Developments Limited and Chief Human Capital Officer of SATS Ltd. Her professional trajectory also includes holding esteemed senior positions at globally recognised organisations such as KPMG Consulting Asia Pacific, BearingPoint, Singapore Computer Systems Limited and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

Ms Tan is a prominent member of the HR community in Singapore. She has received accolades in recognition of her contributions to the profession, including the Institute for Human Resource Professionals – Master Professional in 2021 and the Singapore Human Resources Institute’s Leading HR Leader Award in 2019 and 2015 for her commitment to advancing human capital at the workplace.

In addition to her corporate endeavours, Ms Tan actively participates in the broader HR community and contributes to the labour landscape as a Tripartite Mediation Advisor, appointed by the Ministry of Manpower and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management. Furthermore, she is also appointed by the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board as an Advisory member of the Board, furthering her commitment to shaping the field of human resources and its impact on society.

Ms Tan graduated from Texas University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Finance.