What we call “executive presence” isn’t about how you matched your Hermès scarf to your burgundy blazer, how impressive you sound, or the impressive count of grams of protein you ingested in the morning. Executive presence is also about the frequency your body emits—one that other people feel in subtle but very real ways.

This is the real secret to stopping difficult people from hijacking your day: you regulate your field so you’re no longer unconsciously absorbing theirs.

Do you ever feel "desensitized" to your accomplishments?

Like everyone who matters probably already knows, since they're CC'd on your Monday updates or sit in on your monthly strategy sessions.

So it feels redundant, maybe even cocky, to restate the boringly obvious magnitude and impact of your contributions (which, in your mind, substantiate why you should've been promoted last review cycle, and you feel frustrated that the promotion went to Disappointing Steve instead of you).

In an increasingly interconnected world, more of us find ourselves working across borders—whether with colleagues in another country, clients from a different culture, or leaders who bring global perspectives. These interactions can be exciting and enriching, but they can also bring moments of tension.

Bias isn’t a personal defect—it’s part of the human condition. But awareness of these patterns allows us to choose curiosity over judgment. When we slow down and notice these blind spots, we not only make better decisions—we also create workplaces that are more inclusive, humane, and effective.

Our role isn’t to demand that people live up to the picture in our heads. It’s to support them with curiosity, compassion, and patience as they live into the picture that’s true for them.

The sweet gift of seeing potential becomes even sweeter when we release the bitterness of unmet expectations.

On Friday, October 3rd, I’m stepping out of my Newark home office (and let’s be real, my faded, pilling lululemons) to lead an interactive workshop at the NJ Conference for Women.

Where: Princeton Hyatt Regency
When: Friday, October 3rd, 7:30am–4pm
What: The biggest professional women’s conference in New Jersey.

Women of color face systemic bias at work when promotion goalposts keep moving and ‘emotional labor’ becomes the excuse. In this post, I share how these patterns show up, why they’re unjust, and a free 2-minute EFT tapping guide to process anger, stress, and exhaustion — so you can reclaim power, clarity, and momentum in your career.

Where did you come from before you were born? Where do you go after you're dead?

And what's something you want to do so that, on your deathbed, you can say, "I lived a life with no regrets"?

A client of mine, let's call her Jia -- a thought leader in her field -- is preparing for a showdown.

Doing what's in Jia's best long-term interest financially, professionally, and personally means communicating a decision that will anger her biggest client (for now).

Here are the three steps we took in coaching.

My client, Kasvi, came into our session feeling frustrated, angry, and rejected.

Her boss had shut down a well-intentioned suggestion for improving team output—something Kasvi offered in good faith to support the team’s performance.

But instead of openness, she hit a wall: “That’s my problem to fix,” said the boss tersely. (Translation: “Stay off my turf.”)

As an executive coach I work for the 1% -- but not the ones hoarding wealth. The 1% I work with are stockpiling something even more powerful, even more in short supply these days: Courage, vision, and the guts to rewrite the rules. 

When I walked off Koreana Air 747 in December 1989, the only English I knew was the alphabet and how to spell “violin” (even though I never learned to play it). Read on to find out how I went from being told, "Go back to China," to helping my clients break through office politics, bias, and self-doubt.

If getting better paid and promoted were simply based on being excellent at what you do, you'd have been a millionaire CXO years ago.

So why shouldn't you be paid at the top of the pay range? 

While I’m away on vacation in Singapore, I’m sharing some of my favorite podcast episodes because they'll inspire you to think about your future in a bigger, more audacious light. 

I used to be a high-strung, high-anxiety high-achiever who was convinced she wasn't achieving fast enough.

Got downtime on the job? I must be doing something wrong.

Got hired at a hedge fund? My job can't possibly be safe, because I don't know enough.

A few things attendees of my past negotiation webinars have said. The next webinar “The Art of Negotiating Salary, Resources, and More” is on Friday, April 19th, 2024. Register HERE today. Or get the free resources (scripts and replay) HERE.

🤦🏾‍♀️ When you’re a woman, a minority in the workplace, you will encounter comments insinuating you should be “grateful” for what you earn now (which makes me so mad… don’t get me started on how sexist that is).

👉🏼 But here’s the thing: your rebuttal does NOT have to be confrontational.

🫵🏽 YOU, my reader, are a leader.

Here's how I define leadership:

• Your willingness to go first before knowing exactly how it all gets done.

• Your capacity to come up with solutions that benefit others.

We have the silent, lethal epidemic of LONELINESS amongst us. Here are steps to cure it: Form in-the-flesh, IRL connections with a community unrelated to your work or career. Let youreslf detox from screens, even if for 2 hours at a time, and embrace physical activities, which boost your overall well-being, creativity, confidence, and leadership presence.

Annie, a Corporate Development Director, shifted from feeling stuck in the “weeds” to “wowing” the decision-makers. She set SMART career goals, devised strategies to overcome obstacles, and articulated her vision to senior leadership. Her story can be yours, too.