A Leadership Reflection on SDA, Coaching, and the Comfort Trap
The Trophy Wasn’t the Point
Ryan and I flew to Kuching as finalists for the Sustainable Development Award. On paper, it was about representing Stellar Education Group. In reality, the trip became about something much deeper.
We had a full day of coaching before rushing to the airport. We even squeezed in a workout because we knew we would not get the chance later. Dinner was eaten while running a Zoom meeting. By the time we landed, it was late.
You would expect exhaustion. Instead, my mind switched into “vacation mode”. I ordered a spread of local food on Grab, and we ate it in the hotel room. The conversation that night was not about slides or strategy. It was about Ryan’s recent encounters, the challenges he was wrestling with, and what mattered most to him.
It was in that room, not in the competition hall, that the real work happened. For years I have spoken about empowering others. This was one of the few times I felt I was truly living it.
Yes, the SDA was an honour. But the greatest value came from 24 hours of intentional, trust-filled conversation.
When Preparation Meets Presence
The presentation rules were simple: five minutes to speak, ten minutes of Q&A. I had 13 slides prepared. They were clean and well-structured, and I did not use a single one.
That was not recklessness. That was listening. That morning, during the press release, the judges shared their definition of sustainability. I realised that if I wanted to connect, I needed to speak their language, not just mine.
So I distilled everything into three parts: Past, Present, and Future.
- Past: My journey from lecturer to early childhood education, and the discovery that children’s discipline issues were often tied to deeper family and marriage dynamics.
- Present: Building Stellar International School to address talent gaps, leadership shortages, and scalability challenges.
- Future: Developing a prototype model for scalable, sustainable education that could be replicated in other schools and integrated into government training programs.
I spoke without notes. I told stories. I trusted that the Q&A would draw out the facts.
And it did.
When asked about skills beyond academics, I shared the four purposes of education:
- Self-awareness and identity — know and embrace who you are.
- Cultural understanding — honour your roots and learn from others.
- Economic independence — be able to sustain yourself.
- Social impact — contribute meaningfully to your community.
When asked for leadership metrics, I spoke about our 200 staff, 40 intentional leaders, and the goal of raising 3,000 leaders to impact 100,000 students.
When asked what made our graduates different, I explained that they are purpose-driven. They choose careers by the problems they want to solve, not just the salaries they want to earn.
When asked about integrating SDGs, I admitted we were at the starting line. Our next step is to align every activity with an SDG and ensure it is measurable, replicable, and scalable.
It was the best blend of preparation and presence I have experienced.
The Conversation That Mattered More
The competition was valuable, but the conversation with Ryan was transformational.
I used a leadership tool I have been told for years, the 3C Voice.
- Care: Genuine empathy builds trust. Ryan opened up because I listened without rushing to judge.
- Challenge: The right question jolts someone into clarity. “How long will you stay here? When will you move forward?”
- Charting: Helping them map the way forward with clear steps.
The 3C Voice works best when paired with the ABC Coaching Arc:
- A – Current State: Where you are now in personal, family, and professional life.
- B – Future State: Where you want to be, defined with purpose and measurable goals.
- C – Tactical Path: How you will get there, with SMART goals and accountability.
By the end of our time together, Ryan had higher clarity on his A, B, and C in each area of life. More importantly, he had the first steps to start moving.
That is the kind of impact that lasts longer than any trophy.
What SDA Taught Me About Leadership
SDA opened my eyes to how seriously some regions take sustainability. Sarawak, for example, has advanced environmental programs, including carbon credit systems they can sell to other countries.
But the biggest takeaway was this: for impact to last, it must be measurable, replicable, and scalable.
This is true for schools. It is true for leadership. It is true for any movement worth building.
An award is a moment. Impact is a model.
The Reverse That Redefines It All
Leaders do not lose to competition. They lose to comfort.
Comfort whispers that we have done enough. That it is okay to slow down now. But leadership is a commitment to keep building, keep stretching, and keep empowering, even when the lights are off and no one is clapping.
The SDA was a milestone. The time with Ryan was a multiplier. Between the two, I know which one matters more for the legacy I want to leave.
Research Spotlight
Google Project Oxygen
- Coaching ranked as the number one skill of effective managers.
- Teams with coaching-focused managers saw 21% higher satisfaction and 65% better retention.
Microsoft Cultural Shift (Satya Nadella)
- Moving from “know-it-all” to “learn-it-all” increased collaboration scores by 20% and boosted innovation rates.
International Coaching Federation (ICF) Global Study
- Median ROI: $4–$8 for every $1 invested in coaching.
- 80% reported increased self-confidence.
- 73% improved relationships.
Gallup Workplace Report
- Managers who coach effectively lead teams that are 47% more engaged.
Deloitte Leadership Study
- Organisations with strong coaching cultures retain employees at rates 13% higher than those without.
Practical Frameworks for Replicable, Scalable, Measurable Impact
3C Voice
- Care — Build trust through genuine empathy and listening.
- Challenge — Ask questions that push people toward clarity and action.
- Charting — Map the path forward together.
ABC Coaching Arc
- A – Current State: Define where you are now in personal, family, and professional life.
- B – Future State: Describe where you want to be, with a clear purpose and measurable goals.
- C – Tactical Path: Create SMART goals and accountability steps to get there.
Measurable–Replicable–Scalable Test
- Measurable: Can the results be tracked with evidence?
- Replicable: Can others apply the same approach?
- Scalable: Can it work beyond one person, project, or location?
