Article by Khyati Chauhan, Senior Associate, Research & Advisory, GFTN
How does anyone define success? In a world of 8 billion people there are probably 8 billion ways to frame it. And at the Singapore FinTech Festival—the world’s largest such gathering of tech professionals—fintech founders and entrepreneurs boasted their share of stories.
“Purpose and meaning are all about having a mission in your work,” says five-time world champion professional triathlete turned writer/producer, Lesley Paterson. Success, she adds, comes down to “why do we do what we do?”
Paradoxically, failures are also important, noted another participant, in that they shape your appetite for risk and how you may see success. Still another festival attendee, in considering success, stressed that one should “make a life” and not just “a living”.
Paterson broadened her take on success, advising listeners to challenge themselves at work and think outside the box to pivot to a different field. She focuses on details and mastering the craft. This certainly leads to outcomes and ultimately external validation and external success that a lot of people strive for. But for her and others, external success does not necessarily lead to internal success. Internal success is all about ‘why’.
Lesley Paterson, Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, Festival Stage
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“True success happens when external and internal levels of success combine, when your 'why' aligns with your achievements.” “Reframe failure as an opportunity to get stronger—like brain training or the overload principle in physical training. It’s how we grow, succeed, and prepare for the challenges ahead.” “By adopting an alter ego, you can hijack inner doubts and become a more confident version of yourself. Behaviour leads to emotion, which leads to thoughts—it’s a way to change your mindset." |
Celebrating Piyush Gupta’s Iconic Journey
Among the successes celebrated at this latest Singapore FinTech Festival, participants heard about Piyush Gupta’s remarkable legacy as a leader and visionary.
From his candid reflections, participants learned invaluable lessons: the importance of embracing failure as a defining moment, as Piyush’s dot-com experience reshaped his perspective on risk and resilience. His focus on creating a culture of agility and empowerment at the Development Bank of Singapore demonstrated the transformative power of building teams that thrive on innovation.
Piyush’s leadership style—balancing big-picture vision with meticulous execution—underscored the value of being adaptable in an ever-evolving world. Beyond his professional achievements, his reflections on rootedness, purpose, and the premium of time remind us that impact and authenticity define a lasting legacy. These insights will continue to inspire as we shape the future of finance.
(From left to right) Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore; and Piyush Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, DBS, at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, Festival Stage
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"Failures are defining moments. They reshape your appetite for risk and change how you approach life." “Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Building a culture of entrepreneurship and risk-taking is like magic.” “The legacy of any CEO shows up in the two years after they are gone." “Intent and purpose are crucial. Knowing your core and what you want to achieve defines your trajectory." |
Make a Life, Not Just a Living
Another pivotal theme on the stage was the value of an "examined life." Gurucharan Das, a renowned author, unveiled his memoir and during his monologue, urged individuals to prioritise making a life over merely making a living. Mr. Das emphasises that life’s richness comes from pausing, questioning, and reimagining one’s choices, even in the face of a successful career. The narrative arc—from corporate leadership to a creative life as a writer—demonstrates straying from well-trodden paths can lead to a more authentic and satisfying existence.
Gurucharan Das, Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, Festival Stage
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"Making a life becomes possible when you retain a childlike curiosity about your life." "You learn to live lightly. Take your work seriously, but not yourself seriously." "Business people are nicer people than writers, artists, or academics. They depend on others — customers, employees, suppliers — and they have to be good to them." |