Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Wang
Kenneth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began in academia, where I spent almost 20 years as a psychologist and professor, dedicating my research to understanding perfectionism. During a year-long sabbatical, I reflected on my desire to make this research more accessible, moving beyond academic journals and into the hands of those who could truly benefit from it.
In the process, I discovered my love for the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery by highlighting the cracks with gold adhesive. The philosophy behind kintsugi is to embrace imperfection and find beauty in the broken, and this deeply resonated with me. It became a perfect metaphor for the work I do: helping people understand that their perceived flaws and mistakes are not something to hide but to embrace and learn from. Inspired by this philosophy, I developed an 8-week executive coaching program for perfectionists, combining my extensive knowledge of perfectionism with the principles of kintsugi to offer a unique approach to overcoming these challenges.
Over the past year, I’ve practiced sitting with my discomfort and learning from my emotions. Instead of distracting myself, creating kintsugi has become a personal exercise in coping with disappointment and negative emotions. I take a bowl, break it, and begin the meditative process of repairing it with gold adhesive. The gold cracks serve as a reminder to acknowledge my pain rather than escape from it. This process has been profoundly therapeutic, helping me find peace, acceptance and new insights into the underlying roots of my emotional reactions. Experiencing the power of art as a tool for emotional healing, I began creating more kintsugi pieces, each reflecting the journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in them, which has influenced my life, work, and relationships.
My coaching program that integrates the therapeutic aspects of kintsugi with the practical knowledge I’ve gained through years of research. This program guides clients in recognizing and reframing their perfectionist tendencies, helping them embrace imperfections and view them as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By combining art with personal development, I aim to empower people to lead more authentic and fulfilling lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was getting started with my coaching program. Finding clients who were struggling with perfectionism was initially quite slow. As someone who identifies as a recovering perfectionist, I sometimes still struggle with the tendency to overfocus on the imperfections in my own work. This can make it challenging to promote my program confidently and with the enthusiasm it deserves. There were moments when I found myself hesitating to put myself out there, worried that my program might not be ‘perfect’ enough to market effectively.
Adding to this challenge is my adherence to the Taoist philosophy of 無為 (wu-wei), which translates to ‘non-action’ or ‘effortless action.’ This philosophy emphasizes the importance of aligning with the natural flow of things and acting in harmony with the universe. In the context of marketing, wu-wei means not pushing or forcing for sales but rather creating an environment where potential clients feel a genuine connection to my work. I want them to voluntarily choose to engage with my coaching program or buy my kintsugi art because they feel a true resonance with what I offer. This approach can sometimes feel at odds with more aggressive marketing strategies, but I believe it’s essential for building authentic relationships and fostering genuine engagement. Over time, I’ve learned to trust in this process and find peace in knowing that those who are meant to connect with my work will do so naturally.
As you know, we’re big fans of Kenneth Wang Coaching & ZKenShop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is centered around helping people cope with perfectionism and enhancing their overall well-being. Through my coaching program, I aim to guide individuals in becoming more aware of their perfectionist tendencies, shifting their maladaptive mindsets, and making sustainable changes in their behavior. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation that occurs when clients gain a deeper understanding of how perfectionism affects their lives.
One of the most encouraging comments I received was from a client who shared that she couldn’t breathe when she first heard me speak about perfectionism during a presentation. My talk resonated so deeply with her life struggles, even before she fully recognized herself as a perfectionist. She was so appreciative of gaining the perfectionism framework to understand herself and start the process of change. Hearing this feedback reinforces my commitment to this work and reminds me of the importance of addressing perfectionism in a practical way.
Seeing myself as a healer through my art has also been an incredibly rewarding experience. I recently received a heartfelt note from a customer who described my kintsugi piece as a “symbol of putting themselves back together … into something beautiful again after experiencing a trauma.” This kind of feedback is profoundly meaningful to me because it shows how my work can resonate on a deeply personal level and help others in their journey toward self-acceptance and healing.
What sets my brand apart is this unique combination of psychological insight and artistic expression, both of which aim to empower individuals to embrace their imperfections and find beauty in their brokenness. I hope readers understand that my offerings are not just about managing perfectionism or purchasing art; they are about fostering a deeper connection with oneself and finding strength in vulnerability.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Check out my websites
Coaching – https://www.kennethwang.com – refer people who might be struggling with perfectionism to first take a free assessment to learn which type of perfectionists they are.
Etsy shop – https://zkenshop.etsy.com
Please share with friends who might find them interesting or helpful
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kennethwang.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenneth.t.wang/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.KennethWang
- Other: https://zkenshop.etsy.com
Image Credits
Juliet Wang & Katelyn Wang
