A joint venture between Singapore’s CapitaLand and Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai Properties, Orchard Turn Developments is the developer behind Ion Orchard and The Orchard Residences – two of Orchard Road’s most distinctive landmarks in the entertainment, lifestyle, retail and residential spheres.
What’s one simple habit that helps you stay sharp at work?
I build in small moments of reflection throughout the day, even if it is just 10 minutes between meetings or a short walk around the mall. Sometimes, I’ll step outside for a quick stroll along Orchard Road and enjoy an ice cream from one of the street carts. Retail moves quickly, and it’s easy to slip into a reactive mode.
These pauses help me reset, think clearly, and respond with intention rather than urgency. It is a simple habit, but it has made a meaningful difference in my focus and decision-making.
How do you decide what to focus on when everything feels important?
It is easy for everything to feel equally urgent at first glance, which is why I always pause to reassess the true priority of each task.
I rely on two guiding questions: ‘Does this create meaningful value for our shoppers and members?’, and ‘Does it empower my team?’ Leading an experience-driven destination like Ion Orchard means constantly balancing mall operations, partnerships, brand experiences, member engagement, and ongoing dialogue with our tenants.
These questions help me identify where my attention will have the greatest impact and ensure that my decisions support both the day-to-day experience and our long-term relationships.
What’s one AI tool or feature you think everyone should start using?
If I had to pick one AI feature everyone should start using, it would be AI-powered summarisation. It sounds simple, but it is incredibly impactful. Leaders deal with a constant stream of information and being able to distill lengthy documents or data sets into clear, concise insights saves time and reduces mental load.
AI tools have become invaluable for interpreting information quickly and generating visuals that make insights easier to communicate across teams.
What’s one career lesson you learned the hard way?
Doing everything doesn’t mean leading better. Early in my career, I took on too much because I equated involvement with impact. I’ve since learnt that effective leadership is about empowering others, not carrying everything alone. Delegating with trust creates stronger teams and healthier leaders.
If you could give some tips for working smarter in 2026, what would they be?
Be intentional. Set clear priorities, build small moments of reflection into your day, and use technology to free up time for meaningful work. Working smarter is not about doing more – it is about directing your energy to what truly matters. When you work with clarity and purpose, productivity and fulfillment follow naturally.
Source: CNA
