“You better buckle up”: Navigating Change with DBS’s Tan Su Shan

Tan Su Shan, the CEO of DBS—the largest bank in Southeast Asia—stands at the forefront of a new era where artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and global uncertainty are rapidly reshaping the financial world. Upon stepping into her role, Tan received a candid reminder from her board that even a CEO’s job could be overtaken by AI. This sparked a sense of humility and urgency that’s become central to her approach as a leader.

Tan has distilled her strategy into what she calls the “four Rs”: reinvent, stay relevant, build resilience, and act responsibly. Innovation is at the heart of her leadership, but so is preparing her workforce for volatility and constant change. In her words, what matters now is not just knowledge—since information is everywhere—but attitude. She’s shifted DBS’s hiring philosophy to focus on agility, humility, and adaptability, encouraging her team to be ready to relearn and evolve as technology advances.

Since becoming the first woman to lead DBS, Tan has accelerated the bank’s push into AI adoption. She believes that embracing AI isn’t just about efficiency or profit—though DBS does expect its AI investments to create significant value—it’s about empowering employees. A standout example is the rollout of a generative AI-powered executive coach, making world-class leadership advice accessible to everyone at DBS.

Tan tells her team that AI has the potential to make them “superhuman bankers,” and shares personal stories of how AI has helped her solve challenges on the fly. Her openness about the risks, as well as the opportunities, of technology sends a clear message: in an era of continual disruption—whether from technology, geopolitics, or emerging trends like crypto—banking leaders and employees alike must stay proactive and keep reinventing themselves.

Under Tan’s leadership, DBS is aiming not just to survive but to thrive amid the unprecedented pace of change. Her journey is a powerful call to action: buckle up, stay nimble, and get ready for the future.