If you want to realize your hopes and dreams...

Lee Kuan Yew, who was independent Singapore’s first Prime Minister and served for many years is regarded by many as a key architect of Singapore’s ‘success story.‘ A new colleague at the Lee Kuan Yew School told me, ‘the greatest development challenge is to find leaders of Lee Kuan Yew’s caliber.' Lee is also a controversial figure, viewed by some as an autocrat whose authoritarian ways have limited democracy in Singapore. I number myself among Lee’s admirers, and this was true long before joining the staff of the school that bears his name was even an idea.

Each morning during my Singapore stay, I walked through the beautiful entrance hall of the Lee Kuan Yew School and passed by a large picture with one of Lee’s aphorisms inscribed. I have noticed it in several other settings around the school as well. Along with Lee’s picture (he still serves in the cabinet as “Minister Mentor) I now have it posted in my kitchen. The aphorism is this:

IF YOU WANT TO REALIZE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS

YOU CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT DISCIPLINE