If You’re Open to Growth, You Tend to Grow

By JANET RAE-DUPREE (Adapted)

WHY do some people reach their creative potential in business while other equally talented peers don’t?

After three decades of painstaking research, the Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck believes that the answer to the puzzle lies in how people think about intelligence and talent. Those who believe they were born with all the smarts and gifts they’re ever going to have approach life with what she calls a “fixed mind-set.” Those who believe that their own abilities can expand over time, however, live with a “growth mind-set.”

“Society is obsessed with the idea of talent and genius and people who are ‘naturals’ with innate ability,” says Ms. Dweck, who is known for research that crosses the boundaries of personal, social and developmental psychology.

“People who believe in the power of talent tend not to fulfill their potential because they’re so concerned with looking smart and not making mistakes. But people who believe that talent can be developed are the ones who really push, stretch, confront their own mistakes and learn from them.”

In this case, nurture wins out over nature just about every time.

While some managers apply these principles every day, too many others instead believe that hiring the best and the brightest from top-flight schools guarantees corporate success.

The problem is that, having been identified as geniuses, the anointed become fearful of falling from grace.

“It’s hard to move forward creatively and especially to foster teamwork if each person is trying to look like the biggest star in the constellation,” Ms. Dweck says.

In her 2006 book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” she shows how adopting either a fixed or growth attitude toward talent can profoundly affect all aspects of a person’s life, from parenting and romantic relationships to success at school and on the job.

© Web Wealth ©

The "Good Enough" Guide to Health

By Camille Noe Pagán (adapted)

FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Up to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. And aiming to eat from at least three different color groups (such as green, orange/yellow, red, white, and blue/purple) a day will ensure you get a wide variety of nutrients.

EXERCISE
A study from McMaster University in Canada found that people who did a total of 2 to 3 minutes of high-intensity exercise in the form of 30-second all-out sprints improved their cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance as much as those who did 40 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.

STAYING HYDRATED
Sipping water isn't the only way to stay hydrated. Other beverages (including caffeinated options such as coffee and tea) and foods that contain water (such as soup and fresh fruits and vegetables) contribute, too. In fact, food makes up about 20% of your water intake daily. Gulp before you eat. A study from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found that postmenopausal women who drank 1 ½ cups of water prior to eating a meal reported feeling fuller, and as a result consumed about 60 fewer calories than those who didn't drink beforehand.

STRENGTH-TRAINING
Research showed that people who lifted weights weekly for 2 months gained nearly as much lean muscle (about 3 pounds) as those who worked out three times a week.

WASHING YOUR HANDS
Wash for 10 seconds, then rinse. A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill showed that's enough to knock off more than 90% of infection-causing microbes. Skip the antibacterial soap. Regular soap and water is not only just as effective, but it may actually be better for your health, too.

A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Aim to lose 5 to 7% of your current body weight. That's equivalent to 8 to 11 pounds if you're 5-foot-4 and 165 pounds. A National Institute of Health study found that weight loss in this range can reduce your risk of diabetes by 58%. "Numerous other studies show that it's also enough to lower blood pressure and cholesterol as well as risk of heart disease," says David Arterburn, MD, MPH, an obesity researcher at the Group Health Center for Health Studies at the University of Washington.

Singapore's 40 Richest

by Justin Doebele

1. Ng Teng Fong
Net Worth: $6.7 billion
Age: 79
Married, 6 children
Through Far East Organization has developed more than 700 hotels, malls, condos in Singapore. Has extensive Hong Kong portfolio. Other interests include food and drink maker Yeo Hiap Seng, partnering with U.S. foodmaker Hain Celestial Group to market organic foods in Asia. Older son Robert oversees Hong Kong interests; younger son, Philip. manages Singapore interests.

2. Khoo family
Net Worth: $5.7 billion
Late banker Khoo Teck Puat left fortune to 14 children. Family sold stake in Standard Chartered Bank 2006 for $4 billion. Real estate holdings include landmark hotel Goodwood Park. Recently gave $32 million to Peking University in China, $70 million for a hospital to be named after their father. Youngest son, Eric (in photo), is noted local filmmaker.

3. Wee Cho Yaw & family
Net Worth: $3.3 billion
Age: 78
Married, 5 children
Succession planning under way at Singapore's largest bank, United Overseas Bank, founded by Wee's father in 1935. Wee, who took control in 1974, stepped down as chief executive earlier this year, handing reins to son Wee Ee Cheong; remains chairman.

4. Zhong Sheng Jian
Net Worth: $2.5 billion
Age: 48
Married
Moved from China in 1988. Began building luxury residences back in his native China 5years later. Yanlord Land Group now listed in Singapore.

5. Kwek Leng Beng & family
Net Worth: $1.1 billion
Age: 66
Married, 2 children
Heads Hong Leong Group, an international conglomerate started by father Kwek Hong Png and his three brothers in 1940s. Today interests include property company City Developments; Singapore's biggest finance group, Hong Leong Finance; and London-listed Millennium & Copthorne Hotels. Cousins Kwek Leng Kee (No. 20), Kwek Leng Peck (No. 30) and Malaysian billionaire Quek Leng Chan have separate stakes in vast empire.

6. Kuok Khoon Hong
$960 million
Age: 58. Married, 4 children
Got start working for his uncle Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok's trading firms. Left in 1991 to cofound Indonesian palm oil producer Wilmar with Martua Sitorus, now an Indonesian rich lister. Merged with Kuok's palm oil business in June 2007 (kept Wilmar name); now building one of world's largest biofuel refineries.

7. Peter Lim
$830 million
Age: 54. Married, 2 children
Son of fishmonger became successful stockbroker for wealthy Indonesian clients; nicknamed King of the Remisiers (Singapore term for stockbroker). Stopped managing other people's money in 1996 to become full-time investor. Held on to stock of winning palm oil producer Wilmar; his initial $10 million investment now worth $700 million. Also second-largest investor in distributor FJ Benjamin.

8. Lee Seng Wee
Net Worth: $650 million
Age: 76
Former chairman of Singapore's third-largest bank, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., still sits on board. Also director of family's Lee Foundation. In May appointed chair of Temasek Trust, a civic initiative launched by the government. Fortune down due to new information on family split.

9. Denis Jen
Net Worth: $600 million
Age: 83
Married, 2 children
Orphan fled native China after Communist takeover. Launched textile and trading businesses in Taiwan, Hong Kong before landing in Australia and building real estate empire. Today portfolio includes 5 shopping malls in Australia and pork producer, KR Castlemaine. Keeps low profile.

10. Chew Hua Seng
Net Worth: $595 million
Age: 53
Married, 4 children
Former timber trader almost went bankrupt when a shipment was lost at sea and banks called in loans. Invested in Singapore government scheme to start private design school; turned initial stake into Raffles Education, which operates 26 private colleges from China to India to New Zealand.

11. Brian Chang
Net Worth: $590 million
Age: 64
Married, 3 children
South African-born Chang moved to Singapore and today chairs Yantai Raffles Shipyard, whose stock price has nearly doubled since last year's listing on Norway's over-the-counter board. Operates one of Asia's largest dry docks. Owns 289-foot yacht, Asean Lady, which survived 2005 Asian tsunami intact, despite being off Thai coast.

12. Tan Boy Tee
Net Worth: $520 million
Age: 58
Married, 2 children
Founder and chairman of tug and barge operator Labroy Marine. Company now building new rig-building yard; purchased 16% stake in Norway's Master Marine.

13. Chua Thian Poh
Net Worth: $500 million
Age: 59
Married, 4 children
High school dropout earned first million by age 21 making hooks and spikes for logging industry. Later founded luxury property developer Ho Bee Investment; owns land at Sentosa Cove, Singapore's popular waterfront address. Chairs the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Arts patron.

14. Robert Chandran
Net Worth: $490 million
Age: 57
Married, 2 children
Born in India; made first fortune in U.S. real estate. Founded marine fuel trader Chemoil in 1981; today group is one of world's largest suppliers of marine fuel. Also owns Franklin Baker, Philippines' coconut products company that supplies all the coconut for Girl Scout cookies.

15. Simon Cheong
$480 million
50. Married, 3 children
Former real estate investment banker set up own property firm in 1996; today his SC Global Developments is one of Singapore's largest residential property developers. It also owns 41% of Australia's housing developer AVJennings.

16. Cheng Wai Keung & family
Net Worth: $475 million
Age: 56
Married, 3 children
Inherited Wing Tai Holdings, a property, retail and textile firm started by his family in Hong Kong in the 1950s; remains chairman. With partners launched $1 billion fund to invest in Chinese real estate.


17. Ho Sim Guan
$460 million
Age: 81. Married
Low-profile tycoon with stake in Wee Cho Yaw's (No. 3) UOB was former bank executive. Also owns stakes in Malaysian beer and rubber companies.

18. Lee Kian Soo
Net Worth: $450 million
Age: 62
Married
Got start working in shipyards before founding Ezra Holdings with his wife in 1992; today firm provides vehicles and services for offshore oil and gas industry. Lee is executive chairman; son Lionel managing director.

19. Ng Chwee Cheng & family
$415 million
Age: 75. Married, 14 children
Former tire and battery service provider began trading second-hand construction equipment; grew into rental firm Tat Hong, now run by son Roland, who expanded into China, Australia this year. Family also owns 32% of construction engineering firm CSC.

20. Kwek Leng Kee
$360 million
Inherited stake in Hong Leong Group from father, Kwek Hong Khai, one of 4 brothers who founded firm. Cousin of Kwek Leng Beng (No. 5) and Kwek Leng Peck (No. 30) holds no management positions at family's companies.

21. Olivia Lum
$345 million
46. Single
Orphan and former chemist founded water treatment firm Hyflux in 1989. Learned to weld so she could personally build first water treatment projects. This year spun off assets into a listed infrastructure trust and struck joint venture with U.S. firm Marmon Water. Genesis IT President of Singapore Water Association.

22. Ow Chio Kiat
$335 million
Age: 62. Married, 2 children
Chairs shipping, logistics, real estate firms, all of which he built from a small tugboat company inherited from his father. Considering listing a REIT with assets from property company, Stamford Land. Has more than 1,000 bottles of wine.

23. Margaret Lien
$330 million
Age: 65. Widowed
Inherited shares in Wee Cho Yaw's (No. 3) UOB from her late husband, Lien Ying Chow, who merged his Overseas Union Bank with UOB in 2002. Collectively her family is second-largest individual shareholder in the bank after Wee family. Devout Christian focuses on charity work; heads Lien Foundation.

24. Kartar Singh Thakral
$305 million
Age: 73. Married, 5 children
Joined family's trading business in 1949; empire today includes large real estate holdings in Australia (Thakral Holdings) and consumer electronic manufacturing (Thakral Corp.). Kwek Leng Beng (No. 5) attempted to take over Thakral Corp. last year but failed.

25. John Chuang & family
$285 million
Age: 59. Married, 2 children
Son of a chocolate maker started own venture in 1984. Later merged with father's firm. With help from 2 brothers, William and Joseph, runs Southeast Asia's largest chocolate maker, Petra Foods. With European partner Armajaro Holdings, invested $21 million in cocoa plants in Germany and France this year.

26. Loo Choon Yong
$235 million
Age: 58. Married, 2 children
Medical doctor cofounded Raffles Medical 31 years ago. Today operates a hospital and more than 60 clinics in Singapore and Hong Kong. Began offering acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medical services.

27. Yao Hsiao Tung
$230 million
Age: 66. Married
Invested $33,000 in a lossmaking equipment manufacturer in 1980. It became Hi-P International, a contract electronics manufacturer with 25 plants as far-flung as China and Mexico and more than 15,000 employees. Remains chairman.

28. Wong Ngit Liong
$$225 million
Age: 65
Fulbright Scholar, trained electrical engineer founded Venture Corp. in 1994 after long career at Hewlett-Packard; today it is Singapore's largest contract electronics maker. Completed takeover of rival GES last year. Also owns stake in bulk container company Goodpack.

29. Oei Hong Leong
$210 million
Age: 59. Married, 4 children
Son of one of Indonesia's richest men, Eka Tjipta Widjaja, has made a name for himself as active investor. Stakes in steel, health care, tech companies. Bought land on which he'll reportedly build a Buddha artifacts museum; said to have personal collection of more than 10,000 items.

30. Kwek Leng Peck
$200 million
Inherited stake in Hong Leong Group from father, Kwek Hong Leong, cofounder of family firm. Accountant by training, sits on boards of various Kwek family companies and is executive director of family's Hong Leong Asia and City E-Solutions.

31. Ho Kwon Ping
Net Worth: $195 million
Age: 55
Married, 3 children
Rebellious youth thrown out of Stanford University. Inherited conglomerate from late father and focused on upscale Banyan Tree resort chain; opening new properties in Barbados, Mexico, Greece and a maternity hospital in Kuwait that includes a spa. Wife Claire manages group's retail operations.

32. Victor Sassoon
$185 million
Age: 49. Married
With brother Sunny, runs privately held coffee chain Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Bought U.S. chain in 1998 from its American owners; now in 16 countries, more than 500 locations and growing. Buddies with Paula Abdul, who is a fan of his coffee. Also owns franchise to sell Rolex watches in Singapore.

33. Goh Lik Tuan
$170 million
Age: 55. Married, 2 children
Began selling electronic hobby kits in 1975, which turned into electronic contract manufacturer GES. Sold company last year to Wong Ngit Liong's (No. 28) Venture Corp. in deal valued at more than $600 million.

34. David Lam
$165 million
Age: 55. Married, 3 children
Patented a modular, reusable shipping container; started Goodpack Ltd., which rents boxes to shippers all over the world. Took company public in 2000, now holds 20%. Also patented an idea for a camcorder to be worn on the head.

35. Lee Seng Tee
$155 million
Brother of Lee Seng Wee (No. 8) has separate stake in Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Longtime director in Lee Group of companies is known for public service. Last year received honorary degree from New Zealand's Victoria University for financial support of Antarctic research.

36. Christina Ong
$150 million
Married, 2 children
Daughter of a late Singapore tycoon; married to Malaysian rich lister Ong Beng Seng. Managing director of Club 21, whose holdings include Ishop, which claims to be Asia's largest Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) reseller, and a stake in U.K. luxury brand Mulberry; also has joint venture with Giorgio Armani to expand A/X Armani Exchange. Through Como Group has portfolio of luxury hotels, spas. Chairman of Singapore's National Parks Board.

37. Ron Sim Chye Hock
$135 million
Age: 48. Married, 3 children
As a youngster sold noodles on street, earning 50 cents a day. In 1980 began selling kitchen appliances, household goods; later added massage chairs. His company, OSIM International, took over U.S. retailer Brookstone in 2005, now looking to expand in Mideast.

38. Albert H.C. Teo
$125 million
Inherited hotel and property developer Amara Holdings, founded by father, Teo Teck Huat, in 1930s. Expanding luxury hotels; has new resort in Sentosa that will benefit from area's casino boom.

39. Raymond Goh
$115 million
Studied business in Australia, became marketing executive at an offshore vessel service provider. Founded own service outfit, Swiber Group, in 1996. Took public last year; stock has quadrupled.

40. Sim Wong Hoo
Net Worth: $105 million
Age: 52
Single
Started small computer repair store in 1981, which became multimedia company Creative Technology. Company got $100 million from Apple last year as part of a patent infringement settlement, which also allows Creative to make iPod accessories, like external speakers.

The Management Unwritten Rules

Source: William Swanson

1. Learn to say, "I don't know." If used when appropriate, it will be often.
2. It is easier to get into something than it is to get out of it.
3. If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
4. Look for what is missing. Many know how to improve what's there, but few can see what isn't there.
5. Viewgraph rule: When something appears on a viewgraph (an overhead transparency), assume the world knows about it, and deal with it accordingly.
6. Work for a boss with whom you are comfortable telling it like it is. Remember that you can't pick your relatives, but you can pick your boss.
7. Constantly review developments to make sure that the actual benefits are what they are supposed to be. Avoid Newton's Law.
8. However menial and trivial your early assignments may appear, give them your best efforts.
9. Persistence or tenacity is the disposition to persevere in spite of difficulties, discouragement, or indifference. Don't be known as a good starter but a poor finisher.
10. In completing a project, don't wait for others; go after them, and make sure it gets done.
11. Confirm your instructions and the commitments of others in writing. Don't assume it will get done!
12. Don't be timid; speak up. Express yourself, and promote your ideas.
13. Practice shows that those who speak the most knowingly and confidently often end up with the assignment to get it done.
14. Strive for brevity and clarity in oral and written reports.
15. Be extremely careful of the accuracy of your statements.
16. Don't overlook the fact that you are working for a boss.* Keep him or her informed. Avoid surprises!* Whatever the boss wants takes top priority.
17. Promises, schedules, and estimates are important instruments in a well-ordered business.* You must make promises. Don't lean on the often-used phrase, "I can't estimate it because it depends upon many uncertain factors."
18. Never direct a complaint to the top. A serious offense is to "cc" a person's boss.
19. When dealing with outsiders, remember that you represent the company. Be careful of your commitments.
20. Cultivate the habit of "boiling matters down" to the simplest terms. An elevator speech is the best way.
21. Don't get excited in engineering emergencies. Keep your feet on the ground.
22. Cultivate the habit of making quick, clean-cut decisions.
23. When making decisions, the pros are much easier to deal with than the cons. Your boss wants to see the cons also.
24. Don't ever lose your sense of humor.
25. Have fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump.


"Never was anything great achieved without danger." Niccolo Machiavelli