Based in Singapore, Christine joined Virtuos to develop and drive the People strategy to support Virtuos’ overall business plan and strategic direction. With over 20 years of experience in strategic HR partnering, talent management, and development, she has a track record in building top-performing teams globally at companies such as Red Hat, EY, and Dimension Data.
We are delighted that Christine will be speaking in Singapore this April as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia.
We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Christine, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia in April. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
Doing great, and I am excited about the event too!
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
The most significant challenge would be to navigate the diverse needs of our global workforce. Each employee brings a unique set of requirements influenced by factors such as their background, cultural context, preferences, and life stages. Recognizing and addressing diversity is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive environment; there is no one-size-fits-all solution and ongoing efforts are required to keep our programs relevant.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that is moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
More companies are realizing the importance of middle managers in bridging the leadership team’s strategic vision and the needs of employees on the ground. They are therefore focused on helping managers to understand the importance of well-being and the direct impact they can make on their teams. This is particularly evident in aspects like psychological safety, as well as in tackling unconscious bias to help employees feel safe to express their ideas and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
We all do our best work when we’re happy, healthy, and feel supported. Employees are integral to our organizational wealth, and it is crucial that they are well taken care of to be able to bring their A game to work every day. This not only contributes to performance, but also plays a significant role in shaping a positive and healthy workplace culture.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in April?
The exchange of ideas! I would love to learn how other organizations are looking into well-being at work and potentially bring more ideas and best practices into Virtuos.
Tell us, what is your vision for the workplace of the future in terms of engagement, health and well-being?
To cultivate a workplace that values the well-being of employees in a holistic manner. Individuals should feel supported in their physical, mental and emotional health, and be able to find their purpose and connection to how they will contribute to the overall business goals.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
I believe managers play a pivotal role in ensuring our employees feel supported, engaged, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. Organizations should continue to think of creative ways to support managers in being a stronger bridge on these topics.
How has your organization been leading the way?
At Virtuos, we are always listening and improving. For example, we are revisiting our middle manager development programs to help our managers and future leaders be stronger advocates on key topics and support them to play their crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
Christine will be speaking at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia which takes place in Singapore on 17-18 April. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
