Dear Reader,

Last week, I stepped onto a stage to speak to hundreds of people.

I was prepared and I knew my message but the night before I had a thought, what makes my message unique?

Almost as quickly as I asked, I got an answer.

A few days ago, before a big talk, I found myself asking: what makes my message worth hearing?​
​
The answer came quickly. I turned on the TV while ironing my clothes.
​
A special was on for AAPI month and as I listened to stories from people like Connie Chung, DJ Rekha and and Yia Vang about how being an immigrant, or the child of immigrants, shaped their identity - my eyes filled with tears.
​
​I saw myself in every story. Fully in two worlds, but not fully part of either.

It can leave you feeling like you have no identity, until you tell your story… and make your own.

This is something I learned every time I find the courage to express myself more.

When I published my mom's story in anthology, when I started to where fabric from India on stage because it helped me feel more rooted.

You can see ore pictures of my outfits on LinkedIn and Instagram​

I hadn’t planned to speak about being an immigrant in that talk.
But I’ve learned to pay attention.
​
I had two organizations reach out for me to speak to their ERG's right before I left, and they both referenced me talking about being an immigrant and how it's impacted my leadership on podcast interviews.
​
​These are not random, we are always being guided.

​
For a long time, I believed leadership was about being composed, prepared, and getting it right.

And in many ways, I’ve been good at that.

But public speaking is terrifying for anyone. And when you come from a lineage where people had to leave their land to survive, being visible isn’t just uncomfortable… it can feel dangerous.

But standing there, what mattered most wasn’t how well I performed…it was how deeply I was willing to be with the room.

To actually receive people.
To let the moment shape me as much as I was shaping it.

That’s a very different kind of leadership.

One that asks for less control… and more trust.

The more we stop separating parts of ourselves, our work lands differently. It becomes less about proving something and more about creating connection, trust, and possibility in real time.

And the truth is…

This kind of leadership doesn’t come from pushing harder or doing more.

It comes from having the space to actually hear yourself.
To reconnect to what’s true.
To lead from there.

That’s what I’m really focused on supporting my people to do and it’s shaping something new I’m creating this summer.

I’ll share more in the next email. Till then......

Need a Speaker for AAPI month or a Keynote for a Conference?

If you’re looking for a speaker, workshop facilitator, or team-building experience for your ERG, conference, leadership retreat, or staff development event, I’d love to connect.

Offerings include:

• ​Be Brave: Leadership Beyond the Ladder​
• ​Imposter to Empowered ​
• ​Vocal Empowerment and Communications Training ​
• ​Collaborative Team-Building Experiences​

Let's Connect About Your Event

P.S. If you feel someone could benefit from this newsletter forward it to them.

P.P.S. If this email was forwarded to you - sign up for my newsletter here.