Nurturing Young Talent for Leadership
It is said that leaders are not born; they’re made. Most of them are forged through consistent practice and dedicated coaching, like Benjamin Teo.
Benjamin was a Summer Analyst at HSBC when he first heard of the Finance Associate Management Scheme (FAMS).
FAMS is a talent development initiative by IBF, designed to increase opportunities for Singaporeans to be groomed through structured programmes that prepare them for specialist and leadership roles in the financial industry.
Excited by the potential career paths it could open, Benjamin seized the opportunity. He was excited to gain exposure and enhanced learning, through a rotational programme spanning six departments over two years, a journey that would culminate in a full-time role at HSBC.
A Leader Is Only As Good As His Team
For Benjamin, FAMS wasn't just a finance management programme; it was a gateway to understanding the intricate workings of the financial industry.
By immersing himself in the day-to-day operations of various departments, he learned the nuances of each role and the challenges they presented.
"FAMS allowed me to soak up the responsibilities of each role, helping me gain empathy and knowledge not just in my role in sales."
"It also let me understand the collaborative efforts of Sales, Product Management, Client Management and Client Servicing. I learned that every endeavour, no matter the department, should be designed to put our clients' needs first."
With deeper appreciation of the complexities and challenges his team faces on a daily basis, Benjamin is enabled to lead with clarity, empathy and confidence.
"I have a macro view due to my past experiences in each team I rotated in," he adds. "This empowers me to help troubleshoot with them and provide support wherever and whenever I can."
A Customer-centric Approach
Among the myriad of skills acquired during his apprenticeship, Benjamin places one above the others - customer-centricity.
"There's a common misconception that this only applies to frontliners," he emphasises, "This actually applies to the entire organisation."
Benjamin has internalised customer-centricity as a guiding principle, one he learned and honed when he embarked on FAMS.
"From development to implementation, our drive is go above and beyond our clients' satisfaction," he says.
"In product development, we have to ensure the product is something our clients actually need. In sales, we sell with the intention of genuinely benefitting the client's treasure and finance teams.
For example, in implementation, we strive to make the integration process smooth, timely and responsive to their needs."
Photo credit: Benjamin Teo
Multiple Roles and Responsibilities
Beyond his core responsibilities at HSBC, Benjamin also serves as the co-chair of the Sustainability Employee Resource Group, a voluntary network that brings together colleagues with shared characteristics and common interests.
Juggling multiple responsibilities with this additional role, he attributes his adaptability, multi-tasking and leadership to his FAMS experience.
"For the group, we organise sustainability awareness events with external organisations. I mange a team of committee members, such as events, communications, membership and treasury leads," he speaks of his leadership role in the group.
"FAMS has helped me become a more effective leader," he adds. "I've learned to prioritise things, to lead by example, and to be comfortable delegating tasks to others."
Photo credit: Benjamin Teo
Learning Doesn't Stop
"Leadership," Benjamin asserts, "is a continuous learning process."
To stay updated on the latest trends and best practices, he leverages internal and external resources, from learning portals like HSBC University to micro- reading apps and LinkedIn.
But for Benjamin, leadership isn't just about what you know. It is also about embodying empathy, practicality, and servant leadership, qualities he strives to exemplify in his daily interactions with his team.
"FAMS has helped me realise leadership isn't a one-way street. A good leader doesn't just give lessons, he's also taking lessons from his team."
"If a team member needs support, I'll make time to help. If there's a pressing deadline, I'll track it and see it through. Our success and failure come down to one team."
Photo credit: Benjamin Teo
Mentoring Colleagues
Looking ahead, Benjamin envisions himself as a mentor to future interns and Management Associates, guiding them through the financial industry.
"I'm already actively involved in mentorship," he enthuses. "I'm applying what I've learned to give our interns and associates the best head start in the business."
He hopes to leverage his business-wide knowledge and experience to spearhead future initiatives, mobilising team members to unlock new possibilities.
To those interested in developing their leadership skills through FAMS, Benjamin offers this advice, "Join with an open mind, an adaptable stance, and a humble mindset."
The Finance Associate Management Scheme (FAMS) is a talent development initiative administered by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), and supported by the Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF). Its objective is to increase opportunities for Singapore Citizens (SCs) to be groomed through structured talent development programmes that can position them well for specialist and leadership roles in the financial services industry.
Find out more about FAMS
here.
