This is my first book review and part of a series of reviews I plan to post as I consume interesting and stimulating content over the next few years. Neither Civil nor Servant was given to me as a birthday gift from my brother and it covers the life and career of Philip Yeo, one of Singapore’s most prominent economic architects and dreamers. People have frequently cited him as someone I share prominent traits with, so it made good sense for me to learn more about him and learn some tricks.

The book is written by Peh Shing Huei and is published by The Straits Times Press, which tends to publish a lot of such biographical pieces about local figures. The book on a whole is an easy read, with nine chapters spanning Yeo’s family life and background to some of his groundbreaking decisions in his various portfolios. Each chapter is broken into a narrative piece that intertwines observations and quotes from Yeo’s compatriots on a certain portion of his life as well as a dialogue piece that is simply a transcription of the actual interview. It took me only a week to finish reading the book and I was taking my time – I read two chapters a day.

Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from this book is how different the Singapore government was back in the day. It’s an understated but quickly obvious fact that Philip Yeo got away with a lot of his bold ideas because he had good bosses (Dr Goh Keng Swee and then-PM Lee Kuan Yew) who recognized that they had to trust him and give him space in order to have him succeed. The word ‘reckless’ was forced upon him, but he really was a lot more thoughtful and deliberate in many of his wild decisions. It is this diligence that earned him the respect and freedom he possesses to this day. I think it is this balance of bravados and accountability that has allowed him to keep sailing his ship without doubt from his peers. Yet for all the recognition of these merits, the Singaporean civil service machine these days cannot allow for more Philip Yeos. Yeo himself states “The management is too involved in day-to-day matters. They become administrators rather than leaders”. Context is a useful tool here – public accountability is one of the highest priorities for the current government and a system that prevents excess of any kind is the best system. This way, politicians and top leaders can trust in a reliable system rather than unpredictable humans. The book discusses some of the implications of this conflict and complexity, but it left me unsatisfied on what my mandate should be moving forward. Yes, I want to be like Philip Yeo, but if all that means is to dream and live with purpose, and to forget ever hoping to traverse a similar path to him, I’ve already consumed that message from other great leaders. I still believe that Singapore has survived only because of its grand innovations and thoughtful commitment to its people. Yeo believed that too. To him, your imagination was your limit. It takes some reading between the lines but you’ll find that greater truth in this book.

Another good takeaway from this book is on Yeo’s belief in people. Yes, he had a great knack for technology, roadmaps and policies, but ultimately Yeo trusted people more than he did any of the above. He believed people needed to be empowered and valued, and in all of his work, you can see a care and investment in those around him. This is a truth I have encountered for a while now, but it’s powerful to see how even decades later, the people that he led and partnered still stand by him and can name and claim the impact that he’s had on them. Those of you who know my narrative know that my life goal is to build a legacy, and Yeo has shown me that by valuing others and leaving behind some kind of connection, your legacy is amplified and strengthened by its presence in others. Shing Huei has done a phenomenal job collecting quotes from so many of Yeo’s colleagues and partners – even the CEOs of big companies like GSK and Mobil. This tapestry of views provides a uniquely humbling perspective on Yeo, a man who makes himself smaller than he actually is.

Is it worth reading the book? Yes, especially if you’re Singaporean. Don’t get disheartened by the system – even Yeo found ways to work around bureaucracy and if you’re truly a maverick, you too will find ways to partner and collaborate to get around the lines. The stories of how he faced roadblocks and just bulldozed through them are inspiring and stimulating. The book is an optimistic and ultimately simple view of a very complex person in complex times. Read it once to get the popular view, and then read more about him by following the paths left unexplored by Peh by going online.

I’ve created my own metrics for reviewing content below that I will replicate for future reviews.

Readability: 4.5/5

Intellectual Stimulation: 3/5

Perspective Shifting Capability: 3.5/5

Would I Recommend? – Yes