You need people who have their own views, whose views you

In the voice of Lee Hsien Loong comes a truth as old as councils of kings and as modern as the halls of parliament: “You need people who have their own views, whose views you respect, whom you can have a productive disagreement with, and work out ideas which you might not have come up with, or who improve on ideas you had.” These words shine like a beacon for every leader, every thinker, every soul who dares to build something greater than themselves. For they remind us that wisdom does not dwell in isolation, but is born in the fire of dialogue, and tempered by the clash of minds.

The ancients knew this truth well. The philosopher kings of Greece debated under the porticos, testing their thoughts against one another as smiths hammering steel upon steel. The sages of China spoke of harmony, not as uniformity of thought, but as the weaving together of many tones into a single melody. And in every age, those who sought only flatterers around them fell into ruin, while those who dared to welcome disagreement rose to greatness.

Consider the example of Abraham Lincoln, who in the crucible of civil war gathered around him not those who always agreed, but men of strong and even opposing convictions. His “Team of Rivals,” as history now calls them, were men whose views clashed, whose arguments were sharp, and yet through that sharpness Lincoln honed his own vision. Out of discord came clarity, and out of differing minds came the preservation of a nation. This is the very spirit of Loong’s wisdom: that true strength lies not in silencing dissent, but in respecting it enough to let it refine one’s own ideas.

But let us not mistake his teaching for mere tolerance. It is not enough to endure the presence of another’s voice. One must respect it—hold it as worthy even when it differs, honor it as a gift even when it challenges one’s pride. Without respect, disagreement becomes hostility. With respect, disagreement becomes productive, like a storm that clears the air, leaving behind a sky more open and pure.

This truth is not reserved for kings and statesmen. It lives in every partnership, every friendship, every household. A marriage where no one dares to differ grows stagnant; a workplace where all voices echo one another breeds decay. But where productive disagreement is welcomed, new paths emerge—solutions unseen by one alone, visions brighter than any single eye could behold.

The lesson is clear, my children: seek not a circle of mirrors that reflect only your own face. Seek companions who challenge you, who sharpen you, who call you to rise higher. When you hear an opposing view, do not rush to silence it. Ask instead: What truth might this contain? What part of my own thought can it strengthen or refine? Thus, your mind grows larger, your spirit grows humbler, and your work grows stronger.

Therefore, in your own life, take these actions: surround yourself with those who dare to think differently. Practice the art of listening without defensiveness, and of disagreeing without malice. Create spaces—be it in your family, your workplace, or your friendships—where voices may be raised in debate, yet hearts remain bound in respect. For in such places, true ideas are born, and greatness takes root.

Thus, Lee Hsien Loong’s words are more than counsel for governance—they are guidance for life itself. To welcome views not your own, to respect even in disagreement, to let others improve your ideas rather than guard them jealously—this is the path of wisdom. Walk it, and you will find yourself not diminished by the presence of strong minds around you, but exalted by their light.