SOL 2021 at TLBS - Reflections

21/10/2025

Part 3.

Thought For Your Day
Four Critical Things Every Leader Must Get Right (Part 3)
The Leadership of Jesus Christ

Leadership clarity is essential for leadership competence.

To recap, here’s a fourfold *leadership compass* that I’ve found helpful in developing leadership clarity.

*1. Discerning the Leadership Horizon*
_See what’s now and what’s next!_

*2. Focusing on the Leadership End Game*
_Anchor in core purpose!_

*3. Determining the Leadership Road Map* _Develop a clear strategy!_

*4. Executing the Leadership Game Plan*
_Carry it out with excellence!_

In Nehemiah’s leadership, we saw these four principles at work. Now in Jesus’ leadership, we see them perfected. While Nehemiah rebuilt broken walls, Jesus rebuilds broken lives. Nehemiah restored a city; Jesus redeems the world!

Let’s look closer at how Jesus led with divine clarity and redemptive purpose.

*1. Discerning the Leadership Horizon*

Helen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

Every great leader must learn to see beyond the obvious. Jesus always did. He saw what others missed.

Jesus saw people, not as problems to be solved, but as lost souls to be loved and redeemed. Thus, Jesus’ horizon wasn’t merely defined by the conundrum of context, but by the clarity of calling. He always saw what mattered most, not just what was most visible.

While others saw crowds, He saw sheep without a shepherd (Matt 9:36). While others saw sinners, He saw sons and daughters in need of redemption (Mk 10:45).

*2. Focusing on the Leadership End Game*

Luke 9:51 marks a pivotal point: “Jesus set His face steadfastly toward Jerusalem.”

Jesus’ end game was crystal clear. It revolves around the redemption of lost humanity through the obedience on the Cross.

The Cross was neither an afterthought nor an accident. As Oswald Chambers remarked, “The Cross did not happen to Jesus; He came on purpose for it.”

Jesus knew the Cross awaited Him. Yet He didn’t flinch. He didn’t waver. While others measured success by the size of the crowd, He measured it by the sacrifice on the Cross.

Thus, when Peter tried to dissuade Him, Jesus rebuked him: “Get behind Me, Satan.”

He would not be dissuaded from His divine purpose. He knew where the mission leads, and why it must go there.

*3. Determining the Leadership Road Map*

Jesus said, “I do nothing on My own, but only what I see the Father doing.” (John 5:19)

The road map of Jesus’ leadership was strategically defined by godly obedience. He never acted out of impulse or insecurity. Rather, He acted out of intimacy, faith, and obedience to the Father.

That’s why every step He took had both precision and purpose. From His baptism to His betrayal, from the wilderness to Gethsemane, His strategic path was clearly focused on the will of the Father.

Leaders who walk with God don’t need to control every outcome. But they need to steward a life that walks in divine appointment, fulfils divine assignment, and lives with divine alignment. They simply need to pursue God with quiet trust and steady obedience.

*4. Executing the Leadership Game Plan*

On the Cross, Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Not in defeat but in triumph!

He didn’t just plan salvation, He opened the way to it. The price of redemption was fully paid. The grave was totally conquered. The Kingdom was gloriously inaugurated.

And by His resurrection, Jesus proved that divine purpose, faithfully executed in faith and obedience, always ends in victory.

So, how then should we lead?

We must see the *horizon* as Jesus saw it! Whatever context we live or minister in, the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Time is short. Get missional!

We must focus on the *end game* as Jesus did. Not on mere works and popularity, but on the Father’s redemptive will and pleasure.

We must walk the *road map* Jesus walked. In godly obedience, and not presumptuous self-effort!

And we must execute the *game plan* as Jesus executed His. Steward well what we have and fulfil our assignment with faith, faithfulness, courage, and the power of the Spirit!

In the end, leadership is not merely about getting things done. It’s about becoming the certain kind of person whom God shapes, and through whom God gets His work done.

A certain kind of person.
A certain kind of leadership!

_Baruch HaShem!_

Great days ahead,
Edmund Chan
Mentoring Leaders. Multiplying Disciples.

20/10/2025

Part 2 :

Thought For Your Day
Four Critical Things Every Leader Must Get Right (Part 2)
(Nehemiah 1-6)

It was a time of national distress. Jerusalem’s walls laid in ruins, leaving the city vulnerable and its people discouraged and defeated.

But God is undefeatable. He raised up a man named Nehemiah. An ordinary man with an extraordinary burden. And through Nehemiah’s faith and obedience, God ignited a movement of restoration!

In Part 1, I outlined four critical things that every leader must get right. In Nehemiah’s story, we witness these four core principles of leadership being remarkably lived out (Nehemiah 1-6).

*1. Managing the Leadership Horizon (Nehemiah 1:1-4)*
_Determining what’s happening now and what’s coming up next._

Great leadership begins with holy concern. Nehemiah began not with a grand plan, but with a simple question:

“...I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped…" (Neh 1:2).

He cared enough to ask, and he listened deeply enough to understand. That single, unassuming enquiry marked the start of divine direction!

Before Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, he wept over them. You cannot rebuild what you have not first wept over. Before he organised the people, he agonised before God.

When a leader’s heart breaks for what breaks God’s heart, a breakthrough has begun.

*2. Discerning the End Game (Nehemiah 2:5)*
_Embracing your chief purpose_

Nehemiah’s request to the king was clear and courageous: “Send me to Judah… that I may rebuild it” (Neh 2:5).

Leadership is not about control; it’s about calling. Nehemiah’s purpose was precise. He knew WHY he petitioned the king to send him. Nehemiah wasn’t motivated by career advancement but by covenant alignment. His burden became a vision; and his vision became a mission!

The end game for Nehemiah was not merely the reconstruction of a city’s fallen walls and defences, but the restoration of a people’s faith and devotion.

It’s not merely about building walls. It’s about rekindling worship.

In ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, Viktor Frankl popularised Nietzsche’s sentiment that “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how”, to highlight that meaning, or a “why,” enables humans to endure suffering. That’s the power of purpose.

And when your purpose is anchored in God's heart, you'll stand firm even amid strong opposition, because your WHY is larger than your fear.

*3. Determining the Road Map (Nehemiah 2:11-18)*
_Mapping out the strategic direction and critical pathways_

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he did something remarkable. He waited. Three days of silence. No speech. No rally. No fanfare. No announcement.

Then, under the cover of night, he inspected the ruins. He surveyed the damage firsthand, counted the cost, and then said to the people:

“Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem...” (Neh 2:17).

That’s the essence of strategic leadership. It’s about seeing clearly, planning prayerfully, and acting decisively.

Passion without a plan is but motion without meaning.

Nehemiah’s strategy was measured, prayerful, and participative. He discerned not only what to do, but when and how to do it. He was a strategic leader!

As John Maxwell observed, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Nehemiah did precisely that.

*4. Executing the Game Plan (Nehemiah 3-6)*
_Creating traction through a tactical implementation plan_

Ex*****on turned intention into reality, and vision into victory.

Nehemiah mobilised the people by sections – families, craftsmen, priests, and merchants – each building a portion of the wall.
* There was clarity of responsibility;
* There was unity of effort;
* There was courage amid conflict.

And they were battle-ready! They built with one hand and held a weapon with the other (Neh 4:17).

Some leaders talk strategy but never gain traction; others gain speed but lose direction. Nehemiah had both clarity and courage – and the wall was completed in 52 days (Neh 6:15)!

That is not merely human efficiency; it’s divine empowerment!

But get this. There is a Builder greater than Nehemiah! Nehemiah rebuilt broken walls, but *Jesus rebuilds broken lives!*

Christ compassionately saw the Horizon (a lost humanity), set His End Game (the Cross), followed His Road Map (divine obedience), and fulfilled the Game Plan (resurrection power and redemption).

And our highest calling is to follow the leadership of Christ Himself.

So lead with clarity, serve with conviction, and live with centredness, under the Lordship of Jesus.

Open wide the gates and let the King of Glory come in!

_Baruch HaShem!_

Great days ahead,
Edmund Chan
Mentoring Leaders. Multiplying Disciples.

19/10/2025

Thought For Your Day
Four Critical Things Every Leader Must Get Right (Part 1)

Contemporary leaders face unrelenting complexity, shifting expectations, and uncharted terrain. Leadership today is not for the faint of heart.

Here’s the challenge. In the fog of confusion, leaders must become ‘clarity-carriers’. The higher the ambiguity quotient, the greater the need for clarity.

_In this sense, the CEO must learn to be the CCO (Chief Clarity Officer)!_

Leadership is not a title we hold, but a trust we steward. And in stewarding this trust, there are four critical things every leader must get right.

*1. Managing The Leadership HORIZON*
_Determining what’s happening now and what’s coming up next_

Leadership begins with clarity. I define clarity as the insight for what’s onsite, through the benefit of hindsight, with the wisdom of foresight.

Great leaders don’t just react to current realities. They read the undercurrents. Leadership pivots upon a clear-sighted awareness of emerging realities and the prevailing culture.

*2. Focusing On The END GAME*
_Embracing your core purpose_

Your End Game is not a finish line; it’s a focus line. It’s your defining WHY, expressed through meaningful core values, that shapes all decisions.

When the WHY is clear, the WHAT becomes compelling, and the HOW congruent.

*3. Determining The ROAD MAP*
_Mapping out strategic direction and critical pathways_

Don’t mistake movement for progress. The fastest way to the wrong destination is a full tank and no map.

The Roadmap connects the visionary big picture to real, strategic steps forward. It outlines strategic engagements, catalytic initiatives, and chosen pathways. This is where vision becomes visible and viable.

*4. Executing The GAME PLAN*
_Creating traction through a tactical plan_

The Game Plan includes platforms, implementation plans, communication strategy, delivery systems, and feedback loops.

We need both the strategic and the tactical. The Roadmap lays out the strategic journey. The Game Plan packs the bags for the journey!

Too many leaders are, in fact, managers who focus on the Game Plan (the tactical) while missing the Roadmap (the strategic), while others have a brilliant roadmap but a broken game plan. They know where they are going (and why) but they don’t really know how to get there!

In my masterclass on Wisdom-Based Leadership, I emphasized that “Ex*****on without strategy is blind. And Strategy without ex*****on is lame.”

So, here’s the four critical things that every leader must get right –

1. Managing The Leadership Horizon: See what’s now and next!

2. Discerning The End Game: Anchor in core purpose!

3. Determining The Road Map: Develop a clear strategy!

4. Executing The Game Plan: Execute the implementation plan with excellence!

Interestingly, a study of the book of Nehemiah surfaces these four critical elements. _More about this in the next TFYD!_

_Baruch HaShem!_

Great days ahead,
Edmund Chan
Mentoring Leaders. Multiplying Disciples.

09/09/2025

https://saltandlight.sg/faith/compromise-your-walk-with-god-and-your-work-for-god-will-be-compromised-rev-edmund-chan-on-mission-and-mandate/

Many people live in a world of illusion where they confuse motion for meaning, speed for direction and ambition for purpose....

11/08/2025

Thought For Your Day
Are You Leading Or Just ‘Leadering’? (Part 2)

Here’s the critical challenge in the leadership terrain today. Too many leaders are merely leadering and not actually leading!

As I reflected on this, I listed ten pertinent differences between Leading and Leadering.

*1. Growth-Oriented vs Maintenance-Oriented*

Leading is entrepreneurial and faith-driven. It is anchored by the intelligence of foresight, the emotional ballast of courageous resilience, and the integrity of due diligence.

Leadering doesn’t really have the leadership appetite and gumption for growth and development. It is often mired in the comfort zone of the tactical rather than the faith zone of the strategic.

*2. Missional Impetus vs Image Management*

Leading is absorbed with the calling and the mission. It focuses on a unifying vision, worthy core values, and the strategic vehicles required for momentum, growth, and sustainability.

Leadering is too absorbed with “what people might say”. It micromanages the optics, and miss what’s truly important and mission critical.

*3. People Cared For vs People Being Used*

Simon Sinek famously said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”

Leading ministers to people and empowers them to serve the purpose and mission. Leading focuses on developing leaders by proactive mentoring. It prioritises people’s growth and well-being. Morale is high and there’s a buzz in the organisation.

Leadering elevates rules and policies over people, and inadvertently places people subservient to personal or corporate agendas. Despite trying to manage the organisational ‘harmony’, yet morale is low and staff are demotivated or leaving. For leadering manages people rather than minister to people; using people rather than empowering them through development and encouragement.

*4. Taking Responsibility vs Blame Shifting*

Leading owns up to mistakes and takes responsibility. To echo Jim Collins, they look in the mirror (self-examination) in times of failure, and through the window (giving credit to others) in times of success.

Leadering wields authority but deflects responsibility and dodges accountability. It self-congratulates in the mirror when things are up, and looks through the window in blame shifting when things are down.

*5. Authenticity vs Compromise*

Leading is authentic and resilient, even when it means being unpopular. It stays true to core values.

Leadering plays a role to impress but compromises core values when the going gets tough.

*6. Hope vs Hype*

Leaders are brokers of hope. Leading thus anchors in clarity, optimism and faith. It casts a clear vision and direction, and communicates them wisely and winsomely.

Leadering spins buzzwords and echoes slogans. It attempts to lead by borrowing vision and brokering hype.

*7. Action vs Talk*

Leading demonstrates decisive leadership through consistent action, and secures positive results.

Leadering spews leadership rhetoric without follow-through.

Leading delivers. Leadering declares.

*8. Long-Term vs Short-Term*

Leading thinks in diachronistic terms and plays the long game. It operates out of a growth mentality that invests in sustainable growth and legacy.

Leadering thinks synchronistic terms and chases instant wins. It operates out of a maintenance mentality that exchanges long-term, strategic wins for short-term gains.

*9. Empathy vs Ego*

Leading listens, learns, and lifts. It listens to wise counsels as well as the cries and aspirations of those they lead. It learns from diverse inputs from deep conversations to wide reading (leaders are readers!). It lifts up morale through encouragement; or as the case may be, through wise correction.

Leadering commands, controls, and consumes. It directs without dialogue or clarity. It seeks compliance without getting the big picture. It consumes energy, without directing it towards purpose and mission.

*10. Transformation vs Control*

Leading seeks to transform lives and culture. It goes beyond managing tasks, and involves shaping the values and architecturing the culture to focus on positive change, growth, and development.

Leadering seeks to control outcomes by conforming to status quo and culture. It celebrates short-term gains without an eye for building a sustainable and thriving culture for the future.

Indeed, leadership is too precious a mission-critical function to merely go through the motions with.

Don’t micromanage. PLEASE. If you are a leader, LEAD!

Or, at least, LEARN TO LEAD.

_Baruch HaShem!_

Great days ahead,
Edmund Chan
Mentoring Leaders.
Multiplying Disciples.