“In 2008, as Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association, I pondered over how to transform the organization. It was almost 50 years old, with an entrenched culture, set in old ways. Most did not realize that it suffered from mission drift. In fact, the senior management had worked out new vision and mission statements. The Board and I decided that these statements from the top would not make any impact on the grassroots movement, as there would not be buy-in. We decided to transform the organization. I remembered the work that Sequoia did for the National Trades Union Congress, another mass-based grassroots organization which was just as old, and how Jacqueline Wong and her team helped to re-open minds, light new fires. So the People’s Association engaged Sequoia. Sequoia did not let me down. There was the passion behind the facilitation that sparked new life. While some of the older employees struggled in the first couple of sessions, even feeling the pain of change, they too came around. Jacqueline’s team drew out from the participants their thoughts, their suggestions. They did not impose. The basic question was: “What do you want the community to be in 5 years’ time?” Over 2 years, we developed a new Vision for the People’s Association, and the Community 2015 Master Plan for the grassroots. Today the People’s Association is moving back to its original mission, operating in a new environment. Just as Sequoia helped to transform the NTUC and PA, I am sure it will help transform any organization seeking to change, to stay relevant.”

“Jacqueline Wong and her team in Sequoia Group contributed significantly to our organisation, journeying with our top team in envisioning our future; designed and conducted an impactful engaging leadership development program for 3 levels of our leadership team. Leadership concepts imparted have become our common language. Excerpt from our managers: “As a result of the program, I have become more open , willing to shelter and grow people”. “I used to be emotionally detached before the program. Now I care about leading with empathy”. We commend the Sequoia Consulting team for their gift in design, development and delivery of the leadership programs bringing transformation in our organisation and in our people.”