Name: Wong Kin Tung

Title: Principal

Organisation: Sri UCSI Private Schools, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wong is the Principal of Sekolah Sri UCSI Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has also served as the COO and Principal of UCSI Schools Springhill Campus.

Prior to joining UCSI Schools Group, Wong opened a new chapter in the history of Ipoh, Perak as the Chief Executive and Founding Principal in setting up the Imperial International School, the first of the newly established Imperial Education Group of Schools under the HCK Group, an experienced education provider that is affiliated to SEGi University & Colleges. He led the School through stages of the process to be an approved Cambridge School with Cambridge Assessment International Education and joining the global network of Cambridge schools offering Cambridge education programmes.

Wong has been the Head of the National School at Tenby Schools Ipoh, a well-established international school in Perak, Malaysia, and has held various teaching and leadership roles, including Deputy Head of School and Head of Department. He has served as a Secondary History Teacher, school improvement team leader, and vertical leader, leading the School for 11 years. He was also appointed to be the Mentor Teacher for the delivery of the Cambridge Professional Qualification in Teaching and Learning to help teachers develop their professional thinking and practice.

Wong is a Life Member of the Queen’s University of Belfast Alumni Association Malaysia.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Wong's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

Building trust as a school principal requires consistent effort, transparency, and effective communication with all stakeholders. With staff, foster openness by sharing decisions transparently, supporting professional growth, and involving them in planning. For students, engage actively by being visible, listening to their concerns, celebrating achievements, and ensuring a safe environment. With parents, maintain regular updates, be accessible, encourage involvement, and build partnerships based on empathy and collaboration.

In the community, strengthen ties through outreach, showcasing achievements, supporting local needs, and involving community leaders in school activities. Across all interactions, model integrity, fairness, and respect are ensured, ensuring consistency between words and actions while celebrating diversity and fostering a culture of mutual trust and collaboration.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

The vision represents the long-term aspirational goal of what the school aims to achieve, such as nurturing globally competent and compassionate leaders, while the mission defines the school’s purpose, values, and the specific actions it takes to achieve that vision, such as providing a holistic education that fosters academic excellence and character development.

These statements are integral to decision-making, helping the school prioritize resources and initiatives that align with its goals. They inspire and motivate staff, students, and parents by creating a shared sense of purpose and shaping the school’s culture through values-driven activities and interactions. The vision and mission also communicate the school’s identity to the broader community, attract like-minded families and staff, and serve as benchmarks for evaluating progress and success.

By embedding them into every aspect of school life—from curriculum design and policy-making to daily operations and community engagement—the vision and mission become living principles that foster collaboration, drive excellence, and ensure the school remains focused on its ultimate goals.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Empowering the people you lead involves fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals feel valued, capable, and motivated to contribute to the school’s success. This begins with trusting and delegating responsibilities, allowing staff and students to take ownership of their roles while providing guidance as needed. Encouraging professional development through workshops, training, and leadership opportunities helps build confidence and competence, while recognizing and celebrating achievements fosters pride and motivation.

Open communication is key, ensuring that everyone feels heard and that their feedback is acted upon constructively. By promoting innovation and creativity, you create a culture where new ideas are welcomed and failures are viewed as opportunities for growth. Providing the necessary resources, setting clear goals aligned with the school’s vision, and involving staff and students in decision-making processes further instill a sense of ownership and accountability.

Leading by example, mentoring, and coaching individuals to identify their strengths and areas for improvement inspire others to grow and excel. Additionally, fostering collaboration through team-building activities and cross-departmental projects strengthens relationships and shared learning. Through these efforts, you create an empowering atmosphere where everyone is equipped and motivated to reach their full potential, contributing to a thriving and dynamic school community.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have meaningful coaches who have had a profound positive influence on me. One coach stood out for his humility, always willing to shoulder the burden himself and lead by example, teaching me the value of selflessness and quiet strength. The other was more straightforward, delivering clear messages and setting precise expectations, which helped me understand the importance of direct communication and accountability. Both approaches, though different, have shaped my perspective and taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, responsibility, and the impact of guiding others effectively.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

Start by defining your core priorities and aligning them with the school’s vision and mission, ensuring your efforts are directed toward tasks with the greatest impact. Set clear goals, break them into manageable steps, and use tools like planners or calendars to organize your day while minimizing distractions and interruptions. Delegate tasks effectively to empower staff and free up time for high-priority responsibilities.

Stay connected to your purpose by reflecting on the impact you aim to make, and practice self-care to maintain physical and mental well-being. Regularly evaluate your progress, seek support from mentors and peers, and remain adaptable to challenges and opportunities for growth. By staying organized, motivated, and purpose-driven, you can lead with focus and clarity, ensuring meaningful progress for the school community.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

To plan effectively for the week, months ahead, and the year ahead, I start by aligning my goals with the school’s vision, mission, and key objectives, ensuring every plan supports the broader purpose.

For the year ahead, I set long-term goals, identify major events, deadlines, and milestones, and outline strategic priorities. Monthly planning involves breaking these goals into actionable steps, assigning timelines, and scheduling regular reviews to monitor progress. Weekly planning focuses on specific tasks and priorities, balancing immediate responsibilities with ongoing projects while allocating time for reflection and preparation.

I use tools like calendars, planners, and digital apps to organize and track my plans, ensuring flexibility to adapt to unforeseen challenges. Regular communication with my team ensures alignment, collaboration, and accountability, enabling me to stay proactive and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

To a young leader struggling to delegate effectively, my advice is to start by recognizing that delegation is not about offloading work, but about empowering others and fostering a collaborative environment. Trust in the abilities of your team members, and understand that delegation helps them grow while also freeing up your time to focus on higher-level tasks.

Begin by clearly defining tasks, setting expectations, and providing the necessary resources and support. Communication is key—be open to questions and offer guidance when needed, but avoid micromanaging. Start with small tasks and gradually increase the level of responsibility as you build trust in your team. Remember, effective delegation is a skill that improves with practice, and it’s a vital part of being a strong leader.