Blog
Visit my blog for life hacks and commentary on useful literature. Like what you read and want to discuss more? Schedule a call!
Why Your Cultural Background Is a Career Asset (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
Filmmaker Bao Nguyen (Be Water) once said you spend the first half of your life running from home, and the second half running toward it. The turning point? The things that made you feel like an outsider when younger are the same things that will help you stand out in a crowd. Let’s unpack how to leverage your background to be your biggest advantage.
The Unspoken Rules of Leadership in Western vs. Eastern Cultures
Many cross-cultural leaders feel the tension and conflict of when to speak up. It feels like a risk either way: do I risk looking passive by staying silent, or risk looking incompetent by saying something that falls flat? The shift happens when you stop thinking “either-or” and start thinking “both-and.” Read this post to find out how to get the best of both instead of the worst.
Books To Add To Your 2026 Reading List
Taylor Tomlinson might tease that books are the safest way to travel, but they’re still awesome! Whether you’re looking for nonfiction or fiction, here are five titles worth considering for your 2026 queue.
How to Influence Decision-Makers Without Losing Yourself
You want to feel seen and heard because you care and you matter. You want your voice to matter. And yet, you don’t want to resort to some of the tactics you see others use to push their agenda forward. So how do you adapt yourself without losing your identity? Read on to find out how to navigate this challenge.
Twenty Blessings Not Typically Acknowledged
What do you consider blessings? Is the benefit immediately evident? Sometimes it isn’t. Here are twenty atypical blessings that you might not appreciate at first glance. But maybe they are more helpful than you’d like to admit. At the very least, it’s good discussion fodder.
Adapting Leaders Celebrates 5 years!
Thank you for helping me reach 5 years since launching my business! This post shares a few of the bigger lessons learned as I continue to get my name out there and see how the world responds.
When Promotion Feels Like Punishment: Reframing Leadership Stress
Getting promoted can feel like you’re finally heading to the greener side of the fence. Until you realize that you’re just getting started with a different set of challenges. But take heart! Even if you’re not able to coast like you thought you would after getting the pay bump, new title, and bigger desk, the promotion is still a blessing. Read the full post to learn how.
From Overwhelmed to Inclusive: How Emotional Intelligence Transforms New Leaders
How do empathy and burnout relate? If you don’t have empathy, you’ll get burnt out because you won’t be able to rally, equip, and motivate your team well. Mei had to learn about the importance of emotional intelligence the hard way - and you have the opportunity to learn from her story so you can spare yourself having to make the same mistakes.
Guest Post on TCEA.org about Powerful Questions
How can powerful questions rescue you from burnout? Read my guest blog post at TCEA.org.
Leading When You're the Cultural Minority: Strategies That Work
What do you do when you’re in an environment where you have to prove yourself over and over as a leader? You have to think force, not finesse. At the same time, how do you adapt yourself without compromising who you are? This blog post will provide you some actionable strategies to increase your chances of success.
How NOT to Get Re-Hired
Steve left a job in a huff after being told he wasn’t performing, but found out that the grass wasn’t greener when he went to the other side. When he tried to go back, he was basically told he would have to wait his turn while other candidates were being considered for his old position. Read on to learn what Steve should’ve done differently - and how you can avoid making the same mistakes.
The Conflict Between The Weight Loss Craze and Your Insurance Company
Who knew that weight loss drugs could cause such a conflict in healthcare? It’s easy to see that companies which trumpet your wellness as their priority prioritize their profits over your well-being. Learn how to better navigate the current healthcare landscape and free yourself from the games your insurance plays.
24 Lessons from 2024
What did you learn in 2024, and how will you act on those lessons? The two biggest mistakes people make are either to not reflect or to do nothing about them. Here’s my list of lessons and applications in the hope that you’ll be inspired to do the same. Let’s make 2025 a year of truly tangible transformation!
My Book List from 2024
Leaders are readers, and knowledge is power! Applying knowledge you don’t yet have is a futile endeavor. In an era that seems busier than ever, more people seem to think they have no time to read. For the ones who recognize that reading has to be a priority no matter how busy life may get, here are some more titles for you to consider. And feel free to comment with your own!
Lesson 10: Control Your Narrative
Do you realize how much you define your own reality? What are the stories you’re telling yourself? What are the stories you’re telling others? Do you even believe what you’re telling them? The sooner you acknowledge your opportunity to craft a better narrative to live by and knowing how to keep destructive narratives from taking a toll on you or your relationships, the sooner you can start the transformation process. This blog post will show you how.
Lesson 9: Technical Competence Isn’t Enough
John Maxwell once said that a leader without followers is just someone going for a walk. True, no one is obligated to follow you just because you set a good example. So how do we increase our chances of inspiring followers? Let’s unpack Shawn’s example for some ideas.
Lesson 8: Believe In Your Ability To Improve
How's your thinking lately? What beliefs are fueling your actions? How are those working for you? This blog post is a little different. Because this time, it's personal. If you want to know how a changed mindset saved my pharmacy career, read on.
Lesson 7: Know When To Meet Expectations Or Break Them
Do family and cultural expectations place the weight of the world on your shoulders? Anyone can appreciate how establishing standards helps develop people - to an extent. But what happens after the standards become less clear for certain aspects of life? Maybe John's journey will offer some useful insights and suggestions.
Lesson 6: How to Advocate for Your Own Needs Without Feeling Selfish
"That's not fair!" How do you feel about your needs? Do others agree on which ones are legitimate? This post builds on the previous ones. We're going beyond saying "no" and establishing boundaries. Now we have to ask, "Can I share my needs without feeling selfish?" Here's the wrinkle: if you want something regardless of the consequence to others, that's a moment to evaluate. But what if advocating for your own needs is what allows you to be in the best service to others? Read on to see how Catherine realized she needed to change her approach.
Lesson 5: Setting Boundaries - How to Push Back and Maintain Self-Respect
What does it mean to have healthy boundaries? Even if you have them, how do you maintain them? If you struggle to keep your boundaries strong, maybe David's story will help you.
Filmmaker Bao Nguyen (Be Water) once said you spend the first half of your life running from home, and the second half running toward it. The turning point? The things that made you feel like an outsider when younger are the same things that will help you stand out in a crowd. Let’s unpack how to leverage your background to be your biggest advantage.