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Critical Thinking Through the Lens of an LKY Fellow

"Critical Thinking Through the Lens of an LKY Fellow" is a full-day training programme that teaches attendees how to analyse facts, evidence, observations, and arguments to form sound conclusions or informed choices after taking into account, underlying assumptions, justifications and their assessments.

Objective

Critical thinking is a much-needed skill for everyone, whether in work or in life. The goal is to apply rational thinking, unbiased analysis and even scepticism to arrive at well-reasoned judgements.

Outline

1. Introduction: Why Critical Thinking Matters

• Explore the importance of critical thinking through a compelling personal or historical story
• Understand how thinking impacts everyday decisions and outcomes

2. Foundation of Critical Thinking

• What is Critical Thinking? (Watson vs. Sherlock comparison)
• Key principles that separate assumptions from evidence

3. Barriers to Critical Thinking

• Cognitive biases, emotional shortcuts, and groupthink
• Case example: The Challenger failed launch and decision-making under pressure

4. Tools for Logical Thinking

• Inductive vs. deductive reasoning
• Recognizing common logical fallacies
• Illustrated through a courtroom drama or detective scenario

5. Problem-Solving Framework

• Introduction to root cause analysis
• Applying structured thinking to uncover real issues—not just symptoms

6. Critical Thinking in Action

• Wheelbarrow exercise to challenge assumptions and redefine possibilities

7. Critical Thinking in Communication

• Asking better questions to gain clarity
• Listening for logic vs. emotion
• Responding with reasoned, confident messages

8. Application in High-Stakes Situations

• Decision-making under uncertainty
• Case example: The Cuban Missile Crisis—avoiding escalation through strategic thinking

9. Real-World Practice

• Identifying misinformation, scams, and fake news
• Techniques to verify, analyze, and respond responsibly

10. Developing Critical Thinking Habits

• Reflection and journaling for continuous improvement
• Building curiosity and inquiry into daily routines

11. Case Study: Out-of-the-Box Requests

• Applying creative critical thinking to unconventional or challenging scenarios
• Evaluating risks, alternatives, and perspectives

12. Wrap-Up and Takeaways

• Key insights and personal action plan
• Commitment to applying critical thinking beyond the classroom

Who should attend

Individuals who would like to learn from an LKY Fellow and apply critical thinking to work and life.

Methodology

Lecture/Classroom style theory/lesson with case studies, storytelling and sharing of real examples

Profile of Leong Yoke Leng

Yoke Leng is a trainer, speaker, mentor, coach, writer and poet. She’s also a LKY Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School (2019), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) Master in Public Management alumnus and winner of the LKYSPP Case Writing (Merit) Award.

She has more than 20 years of leadership experience in General Management, Human Resource Management, Learning & Development, Strategic Planning and Enterprise Risk Management in healthcare, education, social security and real estate.

She has spoken and trained on women empowerment, risk management (including sustainability), financial management, leadership, effective communications, strengthening partnerships across teams, borders and generations. She was most recently a panelist on the Golden Door Dialogues and invited to Ho Chi Minh City to conduct a leadership workshop for senior managers.

In an earlier life, she had chaired cross-functional taskforce and projects, meetings with University Principals, Deans and faculty members (in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong) and heads of Multi-national Companies (MNC) where she represented her then employers and school (LKYSPP).

She was the first and only one in her LKYSPP MPM class of 20 to be interviewed by LKYSPP for her outstanding contributions.

She continues to shine in her roles outside of work – she was Vice-President of the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) Council, the current President of the Lions Club of Singapore Raffles City, Organizing Chair of the inaugural Young Lionhearts Competition, Professional Member of Asia Professional Speakers Singapore (APSS), mentor to ASEAN scholars, Raffles Institution (RI), St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) and Temasek Junior College (TJC) students, winner of many awards, including the Gold Award at Lions’ Oscar Nite, the Silver Ribbon (Mental Health) Award, the CMO Asia Dr Tarita Shankar Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Global Woman of Influence Award, the TIAF Award of Women Leaders and the Top 5 Emerging Influencer Award by Digital Confex in 2025 alone. She’s featured in New in Asia’s SG60 showcase of the most celebrated speakers and trainers in Singapore and 13 times on LinkedIn News Asia and Get Hired by LinkedIn News Asia.

She was invited by National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) to be an “Every Worker Matters Conversations” (EWMC) Ambassador at May Day Rally 2023 and made a pitch on Retirement Adequacy to then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, whereupon the PM asked the Ministers and Parliamentarians present to vote for Retirement Adequacy as the key thrust for NTUC to focus upon.