leland franklin
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I was born a high achiever. My parents were/are high achievers and I think I would literally break out in hives if I didn’t have a new goal to strive towards. 

According to Gallup’s StrengthsQuest (www.strengthsquest.com) one of my top 5 strengths is to be an Achiever. You’ve seen me around. The man who is dressed for success, hair neatly in place, exercises 4x a week, has 2.5 children and has a thriving business with tons of social media followers. 

What people don't know about me is...

​We all have a story where pain lingers and pierces our hearts, yet we continue to work and build because that’s what high achievers do. But what about the high achiever who needs mental help? High achievers are often overlooked because we look like we have everything under control, yet high achievers are the ones who manage high levels of anxiety on a daily basis. We’re usually the ones that help others through their difficult situations, but rarely do others check up on us.  What then? 

I am ME. Sounds simple but for a long time I had a hard time accepting who I was, so being my authentic-work-in-progress self, is a big accomplishment. I'm ambitious, driven, talented, and outrageously amazing. I mentor and coach people just like me.

You know you were made for more, and that’s exactly how I felt ever since I was a...
“You are made for more.” I wanted to be accepted, liked, and loved.
I grew to embrace my weirdness, .
I fell in love with my zeal and passion for personal and professional development.

I am a proud Brown University graduate, with a bachelor's degree in Business and Organizational Leadership, and a Professional Certificate from Stanford University in Strategy, Leadership, and Project Management.  I have been a service professional for 12 years, a project manager and consultant for 10 of those.  What does all of this mean to you?  I am fascinated with helping individuals and teams unleash their gifts and strengths to their tribe and live with purpose, passion, and profit.  You are me.  Your past does not define you, but guides you on your path.

You are capable of redefining success by INTERNAL metrics...

I am a husband, father to a pandemic puppy named Mochi, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, a 3x world-record holding skydiving instructor, and a recovering productivity geek.  My multicultural upbringing, diverse professional experience in a range of corporate and startup cultures, and worldview shaped by personal adventures to take the minds and hearts of leaders and teams to the next level.
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Lifelong student, teacher, mentor, facilitator, guide.

Executive coach, project manager, mindfulness teacher, community builder, team leader, trusted advisor.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt, 3x world-record skydiver, close-up magician.
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Son, brother, husband, pandemic puppy dad.


​Born and raised in Hong Kong until I was 16.

​Now living in the Bay Area, California.

Pronouns: he/him/his

I'm fascinated by human potential and development.

We are all such multi-faceted creatures yet, in today's fast-paced world, we rarely get to acknowledge, let alone express, the capabilities of our full selves.

Many of us have parts that we resist, hide, or suppress because we feel ashamed, afraid of being judged, or because we believe we need to act a certain way to belong.
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What I've learned is that it's often precisely those parts of ourselves that hold the key to unlocking what we're truly capable of and awakening us to why we're here.

Kintsugi

There is a Japanese art form called Kintsugi, or "golden joining" (金継ぎ), where cracks in a bowl or plate are painted with gold, highlighting its unique edges and increasing its value.  You may have seen this.
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As a philosophy, I love the idea that our unique challenges and pieces shape our journey - stories rich with experience, beauty, and wisdom.  ​That the sum is greater than its parts.

​What if we could learn to not only acknowledge, but also integrate and celebrate all pieces of ourselves?


It's an ongoing process of discovery, and the question driving me is, "How can I help others become more of who they really are, so that they can better love those around them?"

So far, I believe that awareness and choice play a large role.

Awareness that it's all invented.
Awareness that we have the ability to pause before we react.
​Awareness that the path to success is non-linear.
​Awareness that what's in our way is often the key to our path forward.
​Awareness that life isn't about having the right answers but rather asking the right questions.
​​Awareness that authenticity is crucial to leadership.
​Awareness that, in any given moment, there are multiple perspectives available to us.
Awareness that collaboration is the new paradigm.
Awareness that our thoughts create our reality.

Choosing to take responsibility.
Choosing how we respond to external circumstances.
​​Choosing to invest in ourselves.
​​Choosing people AND profits.
Choosing authentic messiness over the pursuit of perfection.
​Choosing what feels right in our heart.
Choosing to love.
Choosing to trust.
Choosing to let go.
Choosing to create.
Choosing to believe.

My multicultural upbringing, diverse professional experience in a range of corporate and startup cultures, and worldview shaped by personal adventures have collectively given me phenomenal insight into what truly energizes people to develop themselves to tackle impactful work beyond themselves, and what it takes to sustain it.​

Today, I'm grateful that I get to partner with leaders to accelerate their personal, professional, and spiritual growth so that they can make a bigger impact in their lives, businesses, and communities for generations to come.

I see myself as a conduit, a guide, a companion along the journey for people who are interested in serving others with their unique gifts.

Because what I've realized is that it's not about me, it's about what we can do for others. ​​

Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

I encourage you to not just make a living, but to design a life that you are proud to live, that inspires you to become.

It's up to you.
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More of my pieces

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​I come from a family of educators.
​My grandfather worked for a university until he was 93 years old. My father recently turned 70 and is still teaching grad students around the world. My mom has helped thousands of graduate students find careers after school. It runs in my blood - here I am as a camp counselor & leadership facilitator for middle and high school students.
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I've been a magician since I was 7.
​As a performing close-up magician, I find tremendous joy in helping people get momentarily reacquainted with their sense of childlike wonder and awe before the logical brain kicks in. I've performed for kid's birthday parties, university deans, veterans, Krispy Kreme chefs, and audiences of up to 300 people.

Check out that bowl cut.
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​I'm a lifelong student of martial arts.​
After 3 years of Krav Maga, I dipped my toe into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class and immediately connected with its principles of experimentation, adaptation, integration, and community.  6 years later and going strong, I'm currently a purple belt under Romulo Melo in San Francisco and now train regularly at Guardian Gym in Oakland, where every adult membership supports one local youth to train for free.

Drop in at an open mat or come find me helping out with the youth class on Saturday mornings.
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I've leapt out of airplanes ~700 times.
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One of my greatest teachers, skydiving has opened up profound experiences and meaningful relationships beyond words.  Contrary to most people's assumptions, dancing with gravity is one of the most peaceful and meditative activities in my life where I am fully present and in flow.  Where the mind quiets and time slows down.  I earned my Accelerated Freefall (AFF) License in 2011, became a certified USPA skydiving coach a few years later, and went on to set 3 world records with the best group of humans one could ask for.
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​I've participated in Burning Man 7 times.
You can usually find me handing out pour-over coffee at sunset as part of a theme camp we started in 2013.  One of my big takeaways over the years has been embracing the beauty and freedom in imperfection.  I am forever grateful to have met my now-wife out there dancing in the dust.    
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)'( ​
At the end of this life, I want to look back on memories of all the wonderful people I've had the honor and pleasure of serving, knowing that our time together changed their lives for the better in some way.

​That's what inspires me the most.
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​~
Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames. Rumi
© 2022 Leland Franklin – All Rights Reserved
  • welcome
  • about
  • impact