Steady Leadership, Quiet Kindness

A conversation with Jonathan Wan on service, gratitude, and guiding others with quiet strength.

Jonathan Wan — a man whose leadership is steady, whose kindness is quiet. A friend, a mentor, and the first portrait in the Made In His Image project.

My first portrait for Made In His Image is of a good and amazing friend, Jonathan Wan, a life coach whose story reflects the spirit of this project: sharing portraits and the gratitude that lives within them.

I met Jonathan Wan during a short course last year. At the beginning, we were not particularly close, which is not unusual for me, as I tend to be quite an introverted person. It was only towards the later part of the class that I started getting to know him better. There was something about him, a quiet presence that carried the weight of leadership. It was not loud or commanding, but steady and calm… though at times, he is quite funny as well.

By the end of the course, I felt a sense of closeness. In some ways, the friendship came full circle when I later had the opportunity to photograph two of the classes he was teaching.

Guiding young cadets at the Home Team Academy. In a room filled with listening cadets, his words carried both experience and care.

Jonathan is a life coach, though I must admit that I did not fully understand what a life coach really did until that day. I was there to photograph two of his sessions: Effective Communication and Motivation. As I stood at the back of the room with my camera, observing rather than participating, I realised something quite remarkable. The room was completely attentive. Every student was listening with full focus to what he was saying. In the process of photographing the class, I found myself learning quite a bit as well.

That day, he was teaching cadets from the National Police Cadet Corps at the Home Team Academy, where many of Singapore’s officers receive their training. I must admit, it was also one of the rare times I found myself surrounded by so many police officers at once and for a moment, I jokingly wondered if I should be worried for myself.

There is something about Jonathan. Many people know that I can be quite a private person. Yet somehow, I found myself opening up to him sharing thoughts that had been running through my mind, things I would normally not say even to people close to me. I learned about his past too, and I found myself opening up to share my own past with him.

For that, I am grateful to know him and grateful to have gained such a friend.

When Jonathan learned about the Made In His Image project, he was immediately supportive. He not only agreed to be the first portrait for this project, but was also willing to sit down and be interviewed to share more about his journey, his experiences, and the lessons that have shaped him over the years.

What follows are some reflections from that conversation.

You’ve worn many roles — officer, leader, coach. When you look back, what shaped you most as a person?

I had a very good National Service journey. After three months of BMT (Basic Military Training) in the army, I was selected to go over to serve as a Police National Serviceman.

During my 30+ years in National Service, I had the chance to take on many roles, from starting my own unit to helping establish a totally new NS command, something very new for the Police Force.

I also had the opportunity to serve the President of Singapore as an aide-de-camp, which is an honour and privilege given to very few.

So my NS experience shaped me the most in my adult life.

Years of service shape a person in ways few can see. For Jonathan, those years became lessons that now guide others.

SERVICE YEARS

Was there a moment during your time in the police force that stayed with you?

2008 was my year =)

I was named HomeTeam National Serviceman of the Year together with four others, and I was also selected to be an aide-de-camp to the President.

Another memorable moment was the September 11 incident in the USA. When that happened, I was holidaying in Australia.

One of my National Servicemen called me and asked if we would be mobilised.

This particular NSman, when he first joined me, wore large prayer beads and did not want to take them off because they were given by his “master” to protect him.

I told him that I would be his “master” in camp and that I would “protect” him =)

So I was very surprised that he was the first to call me and ask if he would be mobilised to “protect” Singapore.

What did those years teach you about people?

rén zhī chū ， xìnɡ běn shàn 。

人 之 初 ， 性 本 善 。

Men at their birth are naturally good.

Above is my mantra.

Behind the uniform and the titles, what do people often misunderstand about that season of your life?

Many people think I am rigid, like a typical policeman.

TURNING POINTS

Was there a season that challenged you deeply?

I think the first time I was asked to leave my job. The feeling was not good, and it took me some time to recover.

But that moment eventually led me into another career. I went to a training school and discovered that I loved what I was doing. I have continued doing it until today.

God allows things to happen for a reason.

Looking back now, is there something from that difficult time you feel grateful for?

See above.

Sometimes in life, we just have to trust God’s plan.

TRANSITION TO COACHING

When did you realise you wanted to guide and encourage others instead of enforce and correct?

I was never a career officer.

I actually started in the hospitality industry. I am a SHATEC graduate, and my first job was in a hotel, where I worked for nine years.

When I later started working in a training school, I taught both foreign and local students. I really enjoyed it and decided to pursue certifications in training and education.

What part of your experience in the force shows up most in the way you teach today?

My “force” experience did not come entirely from the Force itself.

I was the chairman of the HomeTeam Public Relations committee, and I was involved in the rebranding of HomeTeamNS. I also served as an ADC and helped start my command.

Over the years, I worked with many youths — Police National Servicemen who had just started National Service — as well as others who were dealing with family, work, and personal challenges.

All these experiences have added to my life journey.

COMMUNICATION & LEADERSHIP

In your classes on motivation and communication, what do you think people struggle with most beneath the surface?

Speaking the truth.

People take time to feel secure, and when you do not speak the truth, it eventually creates challenges. Trust is also very important.

What does effective communication really mean to you now?

Speak clearly about what you want. Don’t beat about the bush.

And don’t take comments too personally.

Have you had to learn to communicate differently in your own life?

It is always a journey to want to do better.

Still learning. Still guiding. Grateful for the chance to continue reaching others through his work.

HOPE & REFLECTION

Has your understanding of strength changed over the years?

Strength comes in many forms.

The physical part is easy to identify, but the mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects are harder to see, yet often more impactful.

What keeps you steady when life feels heavy?

I think I have always been able to stay calm and look at the positives.

I am blessed.

If someone sitting in your class feels unseen or discouraged, what would you want them to know?

Someone is always watching them.

No one goes unnoticed.

CLOSING

In this current season of your life, what are you most grateful for?

I am grateful to still be able to find meaningful work and to reach out to others through my training and coaching.

I am also grateful to continue learning new things and meeting interesting people.

Made In His Image

You are made perfectly. Loved deeply. Never beyond hope.

Visit the Made In His Image project at: madeinhisimage.life