Cultivating staff into leaders: Deloitte

The Singapore outfit of one of the world’s biggest professional services firms talks to HRD Singapore about the avenues they are exploring to develop leadership in their staff.

From volunteering to sports clubs to overseas opportunities – Deloitte Singapore is taking a comprehensive approach to cultivating future leaders within the company.

Speaking to HRD Singapore, Deloitte Singapore’s talent partner Seah Gek Choo said the company’s vision included becoming the employer of choice who actively recruits, develops and retains world-class leaders.

“In terms of leadership development, at Deloitte, we believe our role is to provide an environment where our people can fulfil their full potential – continuously learning, developing and growing.”

Ongoing learning includes on-the-job training from experienced colleagues, mentoring, international opportunities and support for completing professional qualifications, she said.

“Additionally, we encourage not only professional leadership, but leadership in our communities as well. Within the firm, employees will have extensive opportunities to inspire others and be inspired through the many corporate social responsibility [CSR] initiatives available.”

The company’s global IMPACT Day – where staff volunteer in communities and organisations supported by Deloitte – is one example of this, she said.

The Singapore branch supports both people through the firm-sponsored Volunteer Club as well as smaller groups of employees who, in their own time, band together to do their bit for the community, Choo said.

“This support can come in the form of funding, flexibility in taking time off work as well as encouragement through internal publicity of their efforts.”

The firm also volunteers professional expertise to charitable organisations in need.
“At Deloitte, our CSR efforts span the entire year, and‎ we believe that creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success.”

Deloitte also encourages employees to take up sports and lead healthy lifestyles, with a number of sports programs and clubs in place to help them.

“Deloitte is also the employer of a number of national athletes and they add diversity to our talent pool, making Deloitte a unique place to work.

“We offer a wide range of activities and experiences in all of our offices, whether it is to play sports, do volunteer work, work overseas, use a flexible work arrangement or to further careers.”

Deloitte’s mobility program enables employees to work overseas, whether as part of a short-term mobility project or overseas assignment, or a longer term secondment with Deloitte offices in over 150 countries worldwide, including 24 offices in Southeast Asia.

“At Deloitte, our employees can define who they are and how they want their career to be,” Choo said.

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