Feeling uncomfortable? – The Messy Truth About Leadership

Of course you are! You're human. Join us in a conversation where we take some different angles on productive ways to normalize our responses to discomfort.

1. Feeling uncomfortable?
2. Should we read more?
3. AI chatbot as your executive coach?
4. Growth Mindset
5. Lead From Your Seat

Gavin, my leadership coach during the Sloan Fellow MBA program in 2023, suggested this beautiful opportunity to share my journey.

This is my humble 1st podcast recording.
As we hoped for insights that would be created by the flowing conversation and the dynamic of the impromptu Q&A, it was hard to convey everything precisely in English as desired, but the whole process itself was meaningful. 

About a year ago around this time,
I started deep contemplation about shifting my career,
and now, after a year has passed,
it has been a good opportunity to look back on those processes once again.

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2024 was
to practice English communication skills
in preparation for fireside chats, podcasts, or interviews for my business later.
Interestingly enough,
Gavin unexpectedly provided me with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

However, to be honest, after finishing recording and listening to the playback,
I felt embarrassed and wished I could disappear.
My basic grammar mistakes and the accent that I didn’t like
made me feel ashamed.

While perfection may be better,
offering empathy and resonance
could still be meaningful and encouraging to someone in need. 
If someone is facing similar struggles as me,
I hope that sharing my experiences can provide some comfort and support to them. 

Every experience serves as
a magical opportunity
that paves the way for the future.
These moments are guiding me
towards exciting new challenges.

Over the past decade,
I have built a career in a tightly-knit Korean society and
traditional corporate environment,
teaching me the importance of being mindful of both my words and actions.

Therefore, instead of confidently asserting myself,
I find myself always needing to remain humble,
carefully delivering opinions that represent a neutral standpoint
while setting aside personal opinions.
I often feel a sense of guilt and shame
if I stray even slightly from this approach.

Thankfully, I have gained comfort and enjoyment
in speaking and performing in front of large audiences
through deliberate practice and experience.
However, I recognize the need for intentional effort and practice
in articulating my opinions through storytelling, especially in English.

I believe that taking this initial step is crucial,
and I am eager to continue progressing in this journey.