I was in Singapore last week, a city that hums with energy. It feels efficient, cosmopolitan and yet personal – if you know where to look. My schedule was packed, but in the best way. First stop: Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan’s chair and CEO, in conversation about the state of the world. Jamie was vintage Jamie – articulate, forthright, refreshingly unscripted. In a world drowning in platitudes, his candour was invigorating. He spoke about resilience and leadership that doesn’t flinch when the winds change. Focus on the mindset, not just the markets, he said. Then came the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. I sat on a panel about global debt sustainability, a topic that sounds dry until you realise it touches everything: growth, inequality, geopolitics. The discussion was lively, but what I enjoyed most were the conversations in the margins. Relationships are the real currency. Deals come and go, but trust endures.
I squeezed in three gatherings for the release of my new book, A Talent for Giving: Creating a More Generous Society that Benefits Everyone. One was hosted by the formidable Sybil Lau; another by Anthony Tan, founder of the technology company Grab. These weren’t just parties – they were conversations about generosity, about teaching people to fish with the talents they already possess. Then a rare privilege: 90 minutes with Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam. His grasp of geopolitics is razor-sharp, but what impresses me most is his calm. We talked about the shifting global order, Asia’s role and the moral dimension of leadership. If more leaders thought like Tharman, the world would be in better shape.
The week ended with a dinner hosted by Michael Bloomberg, where I witnessed the evolution of Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong. He seemed more confident, more poised –and, to my surprise, funny. As I watched him engage with the audience, I thought: Singapore’s future is in capable hands.
Singapore wasn’t all boardrooms and panels. Every morning began with mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart at seven. The scripture was powerful, with echoes of the end of time, fitting for the close of the liturgical year. On Sunday, I tested my stale Mandarin at the 7 a.m. Chinese mass. The hymns were exquisite; Mandarin sacred music has a beauty all its own. Sitting there, I recalled Pope Francis telling me: ‘China will be the largest Christian country in the world by 2030.’ Listening to those hymns, I could believe it.
To London for a day, then on to New York for the best week of the year: Thanksgiving. It’s the only true American holiday, a time when our founding values converge around gratitude. Not about what we lack, but what we have. Upon arriving in New York, I raced to the Dakota for a birthday lunch with my friend of more than 40 years, Ruth Porat. We grew up together at Morgan Stanley and have stayed very close. Her partner Anthony and their three boys are remarkable. Her son, Stephen Paduano, is a rising star in macroeconomics and public policy. Ruth herself remains a force of nature as president and CIO of Alphabet/Google. Friendships, like good investments, compound over time – they become richer, more resilient and infinitely rewarding.
That evening, I braced myself for what I feared might be a dreary affair: A Christmas Carol at the Perelman Center. Awkward productions of this classic can be dry and depressing. Much to my delight, this one was anything but. It was set in Victorian England, with music woven through the narrative, and the production was funny and festive. Tradition, when handled with creativity, can feel utterly new.
The Monday before Thanksgiving saw Michael Bloomberg hosting my book launch for A Talent for Giving. Almost 200 people attended, and Mike’s speech was a masterclass. It was daunting speaking in front of one of history’s most transformational philanthropists. Michael’s impact is staggering and his example continues to inspire. Generosity is contagious – when one person acts, others follow. Thanksgiving itself was spent with lifelong friends, Cynthia McFadden and Amy Baird from Bowdoin – what I call framily. In a world of constant motion, these moments of stillness matter, an anchor to keep you steady when the currents pull hard.
Now it’s back to London, with Qatar on the horizon, followed by Christmas celebrations in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. Travel can be exhausting, yes, but it’s also exhilarating. As I pack for the next leg, I’m reminded of something I wrote in the book: generosity isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. One conversation, one act, one relationship at a time. On we go.
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