The Unpredictable Start
I am now at Le Quadri, Kuala Lumpur, fresh from a basketball session with Dato’ Peter. And something struck me—every time before I start anything, I actually don’t know exactly what I’m going to say.
But every time, I never fail to record things down.
And that, I realize, is exactly the point.
So I guess the whole idea of “do it first, then figure out what or how later” is incredibly valid.
The human brain is truly amazing. Even Einstein, one of the greatest minds, only used a small percentage of his total potential. What about us—normal people who barely push our limits, who don’t unleash our potential because we’re lazy or because “we don’t feel like doing it”?
We look at successful people and envy their achievements.
But do we envy their effort?
Do You Envy the Outcome, or the Effort?
Most people want the result, but they don’t want the process.
That feeling is real, it’s normal, and it makes us feel inadequate. However, the hard truth is that success isn’t magic. It’s consistent effort, repeated daily.
So let’s start with ourselves. Because leadership always begins with leading ourselves first.
But ask yourself this:
What kind of action have you taken to allow yourself to get better?
The Long Drive & The Gamification of Learning
Earlier today, when traveling together in the car from JB to KL, it took us really long—probably close to 6 hours—because it’s Ramadan, and we hit a massive traffic jam.
But that gave us valuable time for deep conversations.
One topic that stood out was the gamification of education. When planning Stellar’s next expansion, we realized it’s not just about having an impressive building.
We’ve done okay without a full campus until now.
We even considered just renting more units instead of a massive expansion.
Because the real question is:
Beyond just more space, what about our staff? What about the systems that actually create impact?
How Gamification Shapes Culture
One elite school assigns every student to a house system—but not just for sports.
Everything, from academics to mentorship to acts of service, is gamified:
- Academic competitions (e.g., reading challenges earning house points)
- Mentorship (students mixing beyond ages—seniors coaching juniors)
- Acts of service (helping teachers earns house points)
Instead of having homerooms with no fixed agenda, their students start mornings with physical activities—running, swimming, sports.
It’s proven that morning exercise activates the brain, making students more alert and focused for class.
This is what education should be: a transformational system, not just a building.
The Power of Culture—Why Stellar Stands Out
Today we had an interesting conversation with Nicole Su Yun and my wife, Wenny, during the drive.
I’m preparing to host a workshop on corporatizing education, and I invited Nicole to speak about investing for the long term.
So, I asked her directly:
“Nicole, let me ask you once again—why do parents choose Stellar?”
She answered:
- Other schools face high teacher turnover—students don’t progress.
- Stellar has a strong reputation for academic achievement.
- Teachers at Stellar genuinely care.
Then I pushed further:
“Nicole, why do we have good teachers? Is it luck?”
She paused, then realized:
- It’s culture.
- It’s leadership.
We spent two years just defining this culture. In the process, we’ve absorbed wisdom non-stop, hunted relentlessly for insights, and built something intentional.
Culture is the soul of Stellar.
And that’s why we stand out.
Who Bears the Consequence, Makes the Decision
Another key conversation today was about decision-making.
People who face the consequences should have the final decision.
Doctors advise patients, but patients ultimately choose—because they bear the consequences.
Yet decisions aren’t isolated; families and stakeholders are always impacted.
Leadership is the same. If I make a decision, as the owner, I bear the financial consequences.
At Stellar, we remove this financial worry from our leadership team, empowering them to take risks.
Because if they don’t grow, how can they help our students grow?
Empowerment isn’t just culture—it’s our DNA.
You Can’t Force Growth, Only Lead It
Reflecting further today, I realized something else:
Am I forcing my values too strongly on others?
For example, I considered studying theology to deepen my wisdom and harness biblical insights to guide others.
But my wife objected, jokingly:
“You’ll just lecture me with your Bible knowledge.”
It made me pause:
Am I leading or forcing?
Many times, we genuinely want good for others, but we try too hard to force it upon them. We grab the wheel to steer them on the right path.
But real leadership, parenting, and relationships are about being a compass—not grabbing the wheel.
We guide; we don’t control.
Final Reflection—Why This Article Exists
I had no idea what I was going to write before starting.
But I started, and everything fell into place.
Just like earlier tonight, when playing basketball with Dato. Peter and his team—professional players who train day-in and day-out.
Of course, I stood no chance against them.
But does that mean I shouldn’t play?
No. It just means I need to train more.
Key Lessons Today:
- Start first. Figure it out later.
- Envy effort, not just outcomes.
- Who bears the consequence, makes the decision.
- Culture is intentionally built, not accidental.
- Leadership guides—it never forces.
And earlier today, by the way, I briefly met my elder sister from Singapore, which made me genuinely happy.
Sometimes, the small moments matter most.
Final Thoughts
- You don’t need certainty to start.
- The best way to learn is to act.
- Envy effort, not just success.
So, what small, uncertain step will you take right now toward your goal?
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