The future of work in Asia is being redefined — not by technology alone, but by people who lead with empathy, build inclusion into every decision, and adapt with purpose.

At the 18th edition of the SpeakIn Asia Dialogues Roundtable held in Singapore, in partnership with SG Enable and led by the vision of Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua, leaders from business, government, and academia came together to explore what it takes to build an inclusive, future-ready workforce.

The discussions revolved around build truly inclusive workplaces by — moving from charity to capability.

Rethinking Inclusion: From Charity to Capability

One of the strongest themes of the session was the need to view persons with disabilities not as beneficiaries of goodwill, but as contributors to business growth and innovation.

“We must move from charity to capability — seeing persons with disabilities as talents. They really have talent. It’s for us to find out and redesign the job,” shared Lifang Lai, Managing Director and HR Sustainability Lead at OCBC.

Her keynote reminded everyone that inclusion doesn’t stop at hiring. It’s about creating environments where people can grow, contribute, and feel valued. “Inclusion isn’t just about hiring. It’s about supporting our colleagues through life’s transitions,” she said.

Inclusion in Action: Stories that Inspire

The roundtable also heard from individuals who have experienced inclusion firsthand. Lionel Lee, an engineer at OCBC and a person with autism, showed how his role was customised to align with his strengths in detail orientation and structured thinking.

“This role was actually custom-tailored — they tweaked it to better use my strengths. That made all the difference,” he said.

Lionel’s story reflected how true inclusion happens when we match opportunity with capability and look at talent through the lens of unique potential.

Scaling Inclusive Talent Across Asia

Edward Chew, Senior Director at SG Enable, spoke about Singapore’s efforts to build scalable systems for inclusive employment.

“We’re building talent reservoirs so that when a job opens, we already have trained individuals ready to step in,” he explained.

He pointed out that while progress has been steady, more tailored support will be needed as employers work with individuals with complex needs. Edward also highlighted how inclusion can bring unexpected value — such as in eldercare, where individuals with intellectual disabilities have shown remarkable empathy and connection with seniors with dementia.

The AI Era: Human Skills at the Core

As AI transforms industries, speakers reflected on what truly defines capability in the new era.

“In the AI-driven era, talent management will be of utmost importance as mediocrity will no longer be acceptable. An organization with an inclusive culture that values experimentation, tolerates failures, and respects diversity will become a talent magnet,” said Corrine Ong, Director of Careers and Employability Services at Singapore Management University.

Dr Timothy Low, Executive VP of QuikBot Technologies and former CEO of Farrer Park and Gleneagles Hospitals, echoed this sentiment. “Capability will not come from technical fluency alone, but from blending digital tools with human qualities of trust, creativity, and resilience that machines cannot replicate.”

Inclusion Begins with Belief

For Patricia Sim, Executive Director at Lumina Human Capital, inclusion starts with something simple yet powerful — belief.

She shared a personal story from over a decade ago, when her team hired a graduate who used a wheelchair. “What left a lasting impression was not only his intelligence and potential, but also how the team naturally rallied to support him. Inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about believing in people’s potential and giving them the space to shine.”

This belief was echoed by the Special Guest for the evening, Cheryl Chan, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at ST Engineering, who said, “Inclusive hiring starts with humans like ourselves. The heart is the most important starting point.”

Even small businesses are leading change. Alex Tan, Chief People Officer at Hai Sia Seafood, noted, “We may not have a D&I policy yet, but what’s more important is that we help the business find the right people in the right seat.”

Inclusion Strengthens Communities

Benjamin Tan, CEO of World Vision Singapore, shared how inclusion extends beyond workplaces to families and communities. “About 3% of Singaporeans live with a disability — and with an average family size of 3.1, over 9% of the population is directly affected. Inclusive practices empower individuals, support caregivers, and strengthen communities. That’s great ROI.”

Building the Future, Together

The 18th SpeakIn Asia Dialogues Roundtable was more than an exchange of ideas. It was a reminder that inclusion is not a policy, it’s a practice.

“Inclusive hiring is just the first step and every step we take together, no matter how small, brings us closer to a workforce where everyone can belong,” said Lifang Lai.

As Asia’s workplaces evolve, the message from Singapore was clear: inclusion is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of the future.

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About SpeakIn

SpeakIn is a digital platform delivering 1:1 coaching and group learning sessions to enterprises across Asia. Over 500 skills are taught through the SpeakIn Grow platform, on mobile as well as web by over 18,000 global experts. More than 400 enterprise clients have used SpeakIn and over 1.5 million professional learners across eight countries have developed their competencies in areas ranging from leadership and communication to ESG and Diversity and Inclusion at SpeakIn. SpeakIn training and mentoring is flexible and easy to access – whether it be 1-on-1 coaching with CEOs and industry leaders, group training or self-paced learning via courses and digital content. For more information on enterprise learning, visit www.speakin.co.