'Terrible' work-life balance, but highest morale: George Yeo on MFA and MTI
Former foreign minister George Yeo said public service surveys conducted during his time in government found that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) had "terrible" work-life balance, but the highest morale.Speaking on The Mishal Husain Show Live from Singapore on Tuesday (Sept 22), Yeo said the apparent contradiction showed that "sometimes unhappiness may be a precondition for achievement".Yeo made the remarks during the programme, where he appeared alongside former United Nations Security Council president Kishore Mahbubani to discuss Singapore and an increasingly multipolar world.During the discussion, host Mishal Husain pointed out that Singapore ranks among the world's top 20 wealthiest countries, while also being among the most unhappy. It was not immediately clear which ranking she was referring to."So why do you think that's the case?" Husain asked.Yeo responded by recalling a remark from Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew."I always remember Lee Kuan Yew reminding us, 'never promise happiness'," he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.