George Yeo - Wisdom in Power, Loss, and Leadership | UID Talk Eps. 8

There are moments in history when the world changes faster than our ability to understand it. As geopolitics shifts, technology accelerates, and old certainties begin to disappear, perhaps the greatest challenge is not knowing what comes next, but having the wisdom to navigate it. In this 8th episode of the UID Podcast, we are joined by the Honourable George Yeo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and a distinguished leader whose remarkable career has spanned the military, government, diplomacy, business, and academia. With decades of experience engaging with Indonesia, ASEAN, China, and the wider world, George Yeo offers a deeply personal and wide-ranging reflection on leadership, history, trust, and the forces shaping Asia's future. Together, we explore the evolving relationship between Indonesia and Singapore, the strategic importance of ASEAN, and the role Indonesia plays in shaping the region. We reflect on the changing balance of power in Asia, China's growing role in Southeast Asia, and the importance of understanding history and geography when navigating an increasingly complex world. The conversation also takes a more personal turn, from George Yeo's unexpected journey from the military into politics, to his lifelong curiosity across different fields, his experiences with leaders across Asia, and the reflections behind his three-volume Musings. Through these experiences emerges a distinctive perspective on leadership, one shaped by curiosity, humility, trust, and the ability to understand the world beyond one's immediate horizon. At its heart, this episode is a conversation about what it means to lead in times of uncertainty: how leaders make sense of change, how nations build trust, and how experience shapes the way we see the world. From ASEAN and geopolitics to leadership, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, and George Yeo's remarkable journey, this episode offers a thoughtful reflection on Asia, its past, its present, and the challenges that lie ahead. Stay until the end for a thoughtful conversation on Asia's future, the meaning of leadership, and why wisdom may be the most important capability of all.