Unlikely that there would be senior executives within SMRT to take over as CEO

I refer to the letter, “No suitable candidate from within SMRT to be CEO?” (April 18), where the writer asked if there were no senior executives who have been in SMRT long enough and have been following the problems and issues to take over as CEO.

We are all aware of the string of high-profile incidents that culminated in the revelation that there were problems with SMRT’s management and employees, the morale and “culture” there.

The weaknesses did not materialise suddenly. They grew without catching the attention or prompting the action of various management levels within the company.

So who should be responsible for these problems? The CEO alone? How about the management teams, specially the top senior management?

The senior management should bear some responsibility because they may have failed to do their part, too. Would they then be the right person to take up the CEO post?

Some may argue that these executives may not have the authority to make the crucial decisions, but the counter argument would be: Have they done their best to collect data, information and supporting materials, and presented them to the CEO to argue their cases vigorously?

Continuous effort must be made to persuade your colleagues and CEO to address any problem with proposed solutions.

As a CEO, you have to fight, most of the time, alone at all fronts; to work and think independently; to be creative and persuasive; to be capable of convincing staff and board members that you are right and to lead the whole company to achieve the goal; to have a never-give-up fighting spirit.

You would not be afraid of confrontation, and have an open mind to listen and accept accusations, advice and new ideas, and to be mentally strong to stand against pressures from all sides.

If you were not willing to leave your comfort zone, acted as a spectator instead of a team player, preferred the status quo or to be the “nice guy”, or just to be the one to say, “See, I told you so”, you are likely not the right person for the post, especially the CEO of SMRT at this crucial time.

Judging from the past performance of SMRT, I would be surprised to know that any senior executive has the capability to take up the job. Years later, maybe, but not now.