Meet Vivek. His career journey reflects a consistent thread of purpose, from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, coaching, and education. What began as a university opportunity evolved into a calling centred on empowering individuals and organisations to grow with clarity and intention.
Today, Vivek works at the intersection of strategy, leadership and learning, guiding founders and professionals to define success on their own terms. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: align your present decisions with both your younger self and your future self, and build sustainably for the long term.
Your journey spans corporate roles, entrepreneurship, coaching and education. What early experiences shaped your desire to help individuals and organisations grow and evolve?
My journey began during university, which was my first professional experience after completing National Service. I was invited to join Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group as a facilitator and youth coach. Watching the trainers on stage inspire and empower people left a strong impression on me.
I realised that many more individuals could benefit from this kind of development work, and that it was meaningful and purposeful. Although the work was demanding, it felt deeply worthwhile. The few years I spent at AKLTG shaped my perspective and inspired me to see this as a potential career path.
Many people struggle to define what success means to them. How do you define success and how has that definition shifted throughout your career?
Success, to me, means being aligned with both my eight year old self and my eighty year old self. If the decisions I make today are ones that my younger self would be proud of and my future self would approve of, then that is success.
In simpler terms, it means living in alignment with your values and doing what you genuinely want to do. It also means enjoying the journey at every stage, rather than waiting for a particular milestone to feel fulfilled.
As someone who has built businesses and coached founders, what is the biggest strategy mistake you see entrepreneurs make early in their journey?
One of the biggest strategy mistakes I see is building a business simply because it is trending, rather than because there is genuine value to offer. For example, I have seen people enter coaching, training, and speaking because government grants made the industry lucrative.
Many pursued ACLP certifications and launched training programmes, but their execution often lacked authentic intention. It became more about making quick money than building something sustainable. That approach may work in the short term, but it does not prepare you for the long term.
When funding or grants stop, the business model may not survive. I have seen this frequently within the training industry.
Success, to me, means being aligned with both my eight year old self and my eighty year old self. If the decisions I make today are ones that my younger self would be proud of and my future self would approve of, then that is success.
As someone who guides others towards leadership and growth, how do you continue to grow yourself, either personally or professionally?
I consistently invest in myself. Each year, I set aside a budget for personal development and identify what I should be learning next. I have worked with LinkedIn coaches, writing coaches, and have invested in AI courses.
I have also hired designers to outsource work that is not aligned with my strengths. Beyond that, I read regularly, especially non fiction books that capture my attention. Continuous learning is something I take seriously.
Teaching and learning are central to your work. What do you hope your students walk away with after interacting with you?
I hope they implement what they learn. Many people attend workshops and gain knowledge, but implementation is often delayed or never happens. Without action, the time invested in learning is essentially wasted.
I want them to adopt the mindset of starting immediately and finishing what they begin. So there are two key takeaways I emphasise: get started, and complete what you start.
What is one belief or habit that has fundamentally shaped your ability to navigate uncertainty and change?
A belief that has grounded me is the idea that “this too shall pass”, which I encountered through Abraham Lincoln’s writings. It reminds me that nothing is permanent.
Another phrase I live by is, “I will cross the bridge when I get there.” We often overthink uncertainty and magnify situations in our minds, creating unnecessary anxiety. These reminders help me manage my emotions and stay centred during times of change.
What is your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
My vision for Singapore is for us to recognise that efficiency comes at a human cost. We are extremely efficient, but sometimes that efficiency can make us less empathetic and overly robotic.
If we can balance efficiency with greater humanity and empathy towards one another, I believe we would be in a much better place.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I would choose the ability to speak and understand all languages in the world. I am fascinated by languages, and being able to communicate with people in their most comfortable language would allow deeper connection and engagement.
Even though one day would be short, it would enable me to understand and relate to more people globally.
Connect with Vivek: LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Vivek is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
