How Pop Institute Pte Ltd Helped Me Stop Chasing and Start Leading

Hello everyone! My name is Daniel Ong, a Startup Founder in Singapore.

I started my company at 26 with nothing but a laptop, an idea, and too much coffee. In the beginning, it was exciting — late nights, brainstorming sessions, big dreams. I loved it.

Every new client felt like a victory. Every small win felt huge.

But a few years in, things changed. The startup grew, but so did the pressure. Clients wanted faster results, and wanted more, and my team looked to me for answers.

I felt like I couldn’t stop, not even for a day. Every time someone asked how I was doing, I smiled and said, “Good, just busy.” But the truth was, I was burned out.

One evening, after another endless Zoom call, I sat staring at my screen long after the meeting ended. I wasn’t sure if I still loved what I was doing. That’s when a friend told me about Pop Institute Pte Ltd and their Pop Workshop.

Why I Decided to Go

At first, I said no. I thought I didn’t have time for “self-reflection.” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I hadn’t paused in years.

My days were packed with growth plans and strategies, but I couldn’t remember the last time I had a real conversation — one that wasn’t about business.

So, one Saturday, I finally went. I didn’t know what to expect.

What I Found at Pop Workshop

It wasn’t a lecture or a motivational talk. There were no slides, no buzzwords — just people sharing their stories. Some were entrepreneurs, others were parents, teachers, or students. Everyone spoke honestly, and somehow, it made me drop my guard too.

When it was my turn, I talked about how I built a business but lost the joy behind it. People didn’t interrupt or try to fix it. They just listened. That simple act hit harder than any leadership seminar I’d ever attended.

For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t “Daniel the founder.” I was just Daniel — a person trying to make sense of his own story.

What Changed After Pop Institute Pte Ltd

After that weekend, I didn’t suddenly solve everything. But something shifted. I started giving my team more space to talk — not just about tasks, but how they were feeling. I began taking short breaks in the middle of the day, just to walk outside without my phone.

And when I worked, I worked with more clarity. I stopped chasing every opportunity that looked shiny and started focusing on what actually mattered to me — building something meaningful, not just profitable.

Now, our company runs smoother, my team feels more connected, and for the first time in years, I feel proud again — not of what I built, but of how I live.

My Takeaway

Before, I thought leadership was about always being in control. Now I know it’s about being aware of yourself, your people, and what truly matters.

Pop Institute Pte Ltd didn’t give me a strategy or a slogan. It gave me something better — a moment to stop, listen, and lead from a real place again.