In a commentary, SMU Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Thomas Menkhoff compared the differences between Asian and Western leadership styles. He said that it would be misleading to compare between the Asian and Western approach, and raised six types of leadership styles that bosses of Singapore SMEs could consider: directive, visionary, affiliative, participative, pace-setting and coaching. The most effective leaders know how to utilise each of the six styles when appropriate. He also highlighted a leadership survey of Singapore SMEs conducted by SMU, which found that a very large number of the respondents (70.3 per cent) used collaborative-consultative leadership modes. This suggests a convergence of Asian and Western leadership styles. It also seems that Singapore SME owner-managers as well as their staff emphasise the coaching style, tend to operate in an environment which puts a premium on skills upgrading, staff engagement and lifelong learning.