The Oceanus Ambassador Programme was designed to integrate employees from different departments and backgrounds. Each meeting began with team-building games facilitated by Daphne. She recalled one of the earlier games, a “spiderweb” game that visually demonstrated their interconnectedness in an “a-ha” moment: “We all realised, we are not as different as we think. We actually want the same thing.” These games, which ambassadors described as “crazy fun,” broke down formal barriers. This was supplemented by shared lunches, where non-ambassadors were also invited to give added perspectives. These were crucial in creating the informal relationships that ambassador Sebastian Tay noted are “cornerstones in an Asian business context.”

Critically, the programme also made ambassadors a strategic communication conduit. “As employees, we normally wouldn’t get an insight into strategic directions planned at senior management level. But through this programme, Daphne shares the management’s strategies and future plans,” explained ambassador Lee Zhu Ming. “We then help explain them to our colleagues.” This transformed them from passive employees into active, informed nodes in the company-wide network.

The Ripple Effect

The ambassadors described their roles as creating a ripple effect throughout the company – small, sustained, impactful actions that spread throughout Oceanus and take on their own momentum. After a year at their role, they have noticed some shifts in the workplace – both cultural, and personal.

Sometimes it’s in the everyday touchpoints. Ambassador Owen Ng shared that he found his voice and gained more confidence in speaking up and getting to know more people outside his team: “I became a lot more talkative, even speaking up more during meetings.” He noticed that others in turn are more at ease in seeking him out for advice and help for work matters. A myriad of small moments – friendly greetings, sharing jokes around the office – is slowly transforming the workplace atmosphere.

Sebastian noticed a “clear uptick in the way people are interacting together.” People used to sit in their own teams at town halls, but now ” will just mingle around each other.” On a personal front, his FinTech team had felt literally siloed behind securitised doors at the far end of the office. But as through the programme, “you know people more, you know the company’s direction more, so you feel more connected, not only to your colleagues, but also to the company,” he reflected. The once “cold” atmosphere had warmed up.

Zhu Ming experienced a mindset shift. “Before this, I just think about my own scope of work,” he shared. After becoming an ambassador, he began to see the bigger picture. He now actively considers different perspectives and understands the company’s strategic direction. This bird’s-eye view has made him a more collaborative and effective bridge between management and staff.

What Lies Ahead for the Ambassadors?

The current cohort’s duties conclude at the end of October. But before they pass the torch to the next nominated batch, they are preparing Oceanus’ first-ever Sport Day, an event entirely ideated and organised by the ambassadors in response to employee feedback. It promises to be a day of fun, games and bonding over food – celebrating a milestone in building the One Oceanus culture.

Reflecting on their journey thus far, the ambassadors hope that their legacy will be a more connected Oceanus. The programme didn’t create a new culture from scratch; it wove a “spiderweb” of trust, proving that the best way to build “One Oceanus” is to empower the people who already embody its spirit.