There wouldn’t be modern #Singapore without Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, who today would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

He is one of my few role models. He was recognized as one of the top minds of the 20th century by individuals like Ray Dalio, Charlie Munger, Deng Xiaoping, and a few US Presidents who have reached out to him for advice.

On this special day, I want to bring his figure closer to my European contacts through three inspiring quotes:

1. Having a big #vision in times of turmoil:

"Over 100 years ago, this was a mudflat, a swamp. Today, this is a modern city. Ten years from now, this will be a metropolis. Never fear!'

2. Understanding that no compromise can be accepted when it comes to the quality of #people:

I have learned that one high-calibre mind in charge of a Ministry, or a Statutory Board, makes the difference between the success and failure of a major project. A top mind, given a task, brings together a group of other able men, organizes them into a cohesive team, and away the project goes.

Whenever I had lesser men in charge, the average or slightly above average, I have had to keep pushing and probing them, reviewing problems, identify roadblocks, suggest solutions, to come back and to discover that less than the best has been achieved.

3. #Truthfulness over political correctness:

„To have been accused of many things in my life, but not even my worst enemy has ever accused me of being afraid to speak my mind.”

Just before elections in my home country, Poland, I am deeply concerned that we don’t have this quality of thought in our political discourse.

The elections become a race of promises BY ALL political parties, and if any of these programs become a reality, our economy will be in deep trouble.

Do we have a chance for a Polish equivalent of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew?

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