“It is a distinct honour for me to speak at Singapore Management University. Based on the quality of the graduates and the commitment to market-driven research, SMU is truly one of the best universities in Asia and the world,” said Prof Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the start of his speech in SMU’s Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series.

Dr Yudhoyono was the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia (2004–2014) and his lecture followed the launch at SMU of the Chinese edition of the biography of his fellow Indonesian, businessman and philanthropist Dato’ Sri Prof Dr Tahir. Dr Yudhoyono said Dr Tahir had proposed the topic for his lecture: “He suggested I speak about my 10-year’s presidency, which was a challenging period of time for me, in leading Indonesia, managing tasks and challenges, running the government, and finding solutions. And this is why I am here today.”

As SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer pointed out in his welcome address, Dr Yudhoyono is “one of Asia’s most respected statesmen. “In 2004,” said Prof De Meyer, “he became the country’s first directly elected President in the democratic era … He served two full terms – the maximum allowed under the constitution.” He added that the World Economic Forum called his two terms in office “Indonesia’s Golden Decade”.

Nearly 400 guests from the foreign diplomatic corps, business chambers and corporations as well as SMU community attended the lecture.

How to be an effective leader

Dr Yudhoyono outlined the guiding principles that helped him govern a country of some 250 million people who had, he said, "a lot of freedom but not enough opportunities". He spoke on the measures he took to overcome challenges which eventually led to the transformation of Indonesia in the areas of democracy, prosperity and national security.

“The most important point for me in leading and managing the country was to build a credible and functioning system of governance. The system cannot be personalised as had happened in the past. It had to be built on institutions, on clear rules and norms, on meritocracy, on a healthy check and balance, and on earning public trust,” he said. He mentioned four ways to achieve this. First, drill down to the details in any matter, but "do not lose yourself in them". Second, assemble a team that is competent and has integrity. Third, coordinate communications well, otherwise "miscommunications, mistrust and misunderstandings will lead to missteps and missed opportunities". And lastly, "keep your eye on the ball, the ball being your key objective".

Advice to SMU students

“These are some ‘take-aways’ that I hope will be useful to you – the students of SMU – as you learn to become good leaders and managers. I strongly urge you to possess not only good managerial expertise but also to shape your leadership skills to work towards your success. The combination of the two will nurture your vision so that you know where you are, where you want to go and enrol your team in charting a path for the future. Leadership and management skills will shape your integrity which is crucial to get your people to believe in you and to buy into the journey you are taking them on. In short, those who master both management and leadership skills will surely create a competitive advantage at work, and for in life.”

Delving questions and incisive answers

At the question and answer session moderated by Prof De Meyer, Dr Yudhoyono was asked about his successor, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. “I believe my successor (Jokowi) wants to develop our economy. All presidents of Indonesia have the same commitment, the same ideas how to build our country for the better of the Indonesian people. So, I trust my successor and his government, to continuously develop sound economic policy for the benefit of the people,” he replied.

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (left) moderating the Question and Answer session with Dr Yudhoyono (right).

Dr Tahir asked Dr Yudhoyono for the "secret" to his serving two full terms when there were four presidents within six years before him. Dr Yudhoyono replied, "I prayed to God, and I had a lot of patience.” Indonesian politics was "noisy", he said, and there were high expectations and protests not only from the people but also from Parliament.

Dr Yudhoyono receiving a token of appreciation from Prof De Meyer.

Main photo: Prof Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono speaking in the SMU Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series.