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Executive coaching and life design for high achievers oriented towards service.

kenshō (見性)

is translated as seeing one's true nature and refers to moments of insight or awakening along the path of self-discovery and expression.

coaching (指導)

is the art of guiding people to discover for themselves their own inner resources and answers to their own questions. This is facilitated through deep curiosity and powerful questions.

I offer integrative approaches that combine ancient wisdom traditions, modern science, and servant leadership experience
to evoke profound inner growth, alignment with one's purpose, and authentic leadership presence.

Trusted by leaders at

I'm Leland.

It's not about me.

It's about the next generation. I believe it's our responsibility to make the world a little better for those who come after us.

To do that, we need as many people to break free of old paradigms and awaken to an innate way of leading that is driven by love, empathy, and human connection - not fear.

To lead others effectively through meaningful and sustainable change, we must prioritize leading ourselves.

It is my greatest joy to guide people to unlock their highest potential so that they can achieve extraordinary success AND personal well-being.

We're all in this together.

"Leland is a coaching natural.
He differentiates from the rest as he moves into the zones to free people from their limitations. If you are looking to rise above your fears and be integrated inside out while living fulfilled in the world, I recommend him without reservation."

Sodan Selva
Managing Partner, Chia Ventures & Founder, MovementMaker.io
Business Transformation & Innovation Teacher, Foothill College
Author, When Followers Become Leaders

My approach

Every coaching partnership is unique and my services are deeply personalized for each client. I see myself as a sherpa, a guide, a companion along the journey for people who are interested in using their unique gifts to serve others.

So far, my clients say that our work together impacts them most significantly in these six areas:

1. Deepening self-awareness, particularly around core values, leadership strengths, and blind spots.

2. Creating regular periods of "deep work" for focused productivity and inspired creativity.

3. Cultivating more authentic and empathetic relationships, both at home and at work.

4. Improving decision making skills across the board, from exercise & eating habits to major career changes.

5. Strengthening self-confidence and courage to speak one's truth and do what is scary.

6. Upleveling effectiveness, happiness, wealth, and inner peace in their careers.

"I love being in partnership with you because it’s constantly inspiring me to focus on what truly matters."

Dr. Ilana Nankin
CEO & Founder, Breathe For Change
Conscious Company’s 2020 World-Changing Women in Conscious Business

My values

Curiosity, Service, Adventure, Integrity, Ubuntu, Love, and Playfulness

My experience

I am fascinated by human potential and development.

What most people know about me

Service professional for 12+ years: cloud tech consulting, next-gen product development, and education technology
Built & developed teams of project managers, engineers, and consultants who have gone on to work for Apple and Google
Won multiple awards for exceptional customer service & high performance in the face of adversity
Voted best project lead in my consulting org for my dedication to mentoring and developing others
Co-founded the Covid Compassion Project to serve frontline healthcare workers and their families
Born and raised in Hong Kong before moving to the US at age 16
Communicate in English, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, and whiteboard sketches
BA in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Organizational Dynamics from Brown University
Professional Certificate in Strategy, Leadership, and Project Management from Stanford University
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from the Coaches Training Institute
Accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF ACC) - expected August 2020
Certified USPA Skydiving Coach and active holder of 3 world records in team formation skydiving
Certified Stanford Advanced Project Manager (SAPM) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified Microsoft Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA)
Always reading on leadership, culture, behavioral psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, and personal development

What I don't want you to know about me

The root of my greatest fear is letting down the people I love
In chasing what I thought meant success, I pretended to be someone I wasn't
I've been put on a performance improvement plan
Failed at getting into Stanford's Graduate School of Business, twice
Burned out multiple times, leading to fainting in the middle of a friend's dinner party and (separately) getting pneumonia
Had bad acne as a teenager, and a mild stutter my whole life - I know what it's like to want to be invisible
Lost loved ones to suicide, eating disorders, and cancer

But what I'm really proud of is

I call my mom every week
My partner and I have built a family that is healthy, loving, positive, and mutually supportive
Rebuilding my relationship with my brother
Cultivating genuinely meaningful relationships with people I call friends, colleagues, mentors, and clients
The incredible work my clients are up to in the world and how I get to contribute to their success and wellbeing
I LOVE what I do and I'm learning to build a sustainable life centered around family, service, adventure, and fun
Deep down, I'm happy with who I am, warts and all, and excited for how I'm growing

To learn more, see my LinkedIn profile.

"
You see in me things that I don't yet see in myself.

The way you do that has pushed me to grow in my leadership in ways that I have never pushed myself to grow in. It's the balance you bring of so much love but then also so much devotion and commitment to me and my growth that I feel so accountable in doing what I say I'm going to do and standing for what I believe in because I know I'll be a better person because of it.

Having you as a presence in my life and a consistent touch point, I'm able to really honestly share my obstacles and my challenges, and have a clear vision for where I want to go.

One of the pieces that has been the most powerful is the awareness that I've developed around patterns that I've had. I've become a lot more honest. I'm a lot more honest with myself and what's hard. My natural tendency is to just be either really positive and pretend I'm not going through really hard things. Before I was too embarrassed to admit things and lost an opportunity for growth. I felt like I always needed to have all my shit together.

Because of the way you see me, and calling me out, you've pushed me to connect with people more authentically, truthfully, and confront things head on, opposed to maneuvering around things. You love me through it and you help me see a way through it that will ultimately be serving to everybody.

I've never felt that seen before.
Our team has never ever been in a better place than we are now, holistically.
And that is definitely because of the work that we did - it's at the center of that.
I've had tons of different coaches but you're my favorite by far.

Dr. Ilana Nankin
CEO & Founder, Breathe For Change
Conscious Company’s 2020 World-Changing Women in Conscious Business

4,000+ educators and community leaders certified in social & emotional learning and mindfulness
500,000+ students impacted

Incredibly meaningful, fulfilling, and invaluable

Leland’s coaching ability is a reflection of his own life: healthy, positive, conscientious and successful.

The conversations we've had about life, relationships, work, etc have been incredibly meaningful and fulfilling for me. I think the feedback you’ve given me over the course of those conversations was invaluable, and a testament to your ability to listen, absorb, and help surface meaningful insights.

Ultimately you’ve had a very positive impact on my life as someone who not only deeply cares about me and my team but understands how to be successful, not just with work, but with all of the important things. You're a great human being and I've valued our relationship from the start.

Konstantin Bokarius
Chief Technology Officer, Topanga Partners, Healthcare

You have a real gift to read people and truly connect.

You are such a beautiful soul, full of compassion, wisdom, maturity and adventure. Your attention to detail is outstanding. I loved coaching with you and seeing how you truly want everyone to be their best selves. You are an inspiration.

Nicky Bunn
Director and Owner, Frinjast Financial Management

I'm getting immense value from this.

Before I met you, I was stuck, trying to muscle my way through some tough business issues.

Over the last few months working together, I've been having more open conversations - being more transparent and willing to say "I don't know" - what I'm realizing is I don't have to have all the answers. It allows my executive team to figure this out together.

What's more, the team is far more focused and I'm seeing a lot of progress on their end as a result of us having a better working relationship. I look forward to my management meetings now. And I've been able to create this kind of safe, collaborative, honest space with my executive team.

Christian Spletzer
Founder and CEO, Clockwork Recruiting

So many "AH HA!" moments I didn't expect!

Leland always helps me to bring clarity and focus. He provides a safe yet creative space to allow my thoughts to deepen and expand. Leland has a genuine interest in helping people be their best and it comes through in his coaching. So grateful for these experiences!

Dawn DeFrancesco, PhD
Director, Learning Strategy and Design at SAP

Grow your confidence in doing the impossible.

It is mind-blowing at how much has happened in a couple of months.

I co-founded the Lua Non scholarship. I am so happy that I can help students in Vietnam to attend a school. Receiving their scholarship applications, learning about their struggles, and knowing that I can help has been incredibly empowering.

The biggest change for me has been switching my state of mind to, "I CAN do it". Even if I don't have prior knowledge/credentials/experience, I know I can figure out how to accomplish a goal, complete the project given that I am passionate about it. I have more confidence in pursuing and leading new projects going forward.

Leland helps me see the good in myself. He always invokes higher appreciation for myself, reminds me of what is important to me, what I am good at, and that simply, I'm worthy. Leland is understanding, compassionate, non-judgmental, and gives me hope on the days that I don't have it. It feels good to be around someone who believes in you regardless of what you are going through.

No matter what your dream is, no matter what challenge you want to take on, Leland will help you move one step closer and grow your confidence in doing the impossible.

Luba Le Xuan
Co-founder, Lúa Non Foundation
Software Engineer at Clever, K-12 Education Technology

More confident than ever that I will succeed!

Your coaching pushed me to access a powerful strong vision for my future and the impact that I can make in the world.

You helped me realize that I will act as a strong advocate for diversity among underserved communities in parallel to building my new business. I'm feeling more confident than ever that I will succeed!

Tutti Tagerly
Product Design Leader at Facebook

Mind-bending...an active role in transforming my future.

When we met, the pandemic and lockdown hit. My current field of work was shut down.

Working with Leland has been very valuable - an opportunity to see things differently and take an active role in transforming my future. He's very articulate and able to quickly phrase what he observes about me from what I say.

He is reflective (able to capture qualities about me and reflect back), supportive (of my capabilities and value of experiences) and mind-bending (thinking differently).

It's been hard to use the word "thrilled" this year. But my conversations with Leland have changed my perspective from what I had to do to fit in to dreaming of what I wanted.

Lauren Press
Founder & Designer, Bella Boot Company
Costume Designer, The Sopranos and Law and Order SVU

You are such a good coach in holding people higher than they hold themselves.

You are such a good coach in holding people higher than they hold themselves. Your clients are lucky to have you.

Kristen Earp
Executive Leadership & Career Coach
Training Facilitator, Navy Region Southwest Fleet - Family & Child Programs

The kind of person that makes you want to be a better person.

Leland is an established leader. He is very genuine and selfless at his core, and is someone who has compassion for all of those around him. He is the kind of person that makes you want to be a better person.

Eric Beiers
Director of Services Engineering and Lead Security Architect, Citrix Sytems

Any client of yours is in for a treat.

I knew there was something really incredible about you when I met you, the warmth, the strength, the curiosity, the quiet and unassuming intelligence, and all that you are.

David Garofoli
President, Garofoli Consulting
Coach and Mentor for At-Risk Young Adult Males

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes.
Marcel Proust

Let's work together.

I'm envisioning a future where an ecosystem of sustainable business, technology, authentic leadership, equitable education, diverse collaboration, and spiritual development are harmoniously integrated to cultivate the next generation of impact-driven leaders. A future where a deeper understanding of what it means to be human is supported and nourished by organizations.

I care most about helping people welcome and express the fullness of their humanity, so they can live connected and loving lives filled with meaning, awe, and freedom.

I'm tremendously honored to work with the clients I do - each is an inspiration and a gift.

With appreciation,
Leland

Get in touch.

Whether you’re curious about working together, collaborating, or simply connecting, I’d love to hear from you.

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