Meet Amy Kan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Kan.

Hi Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before becoming an executive coach and leadership consultant, I had a long career in marketing, working across a number of different industries both in the UK and US. I’ve been fortunate to experience different corporate cultures both across countries and those of large global corporations, small privately-owned companies and start-ups.

In 2015, I was laid off from a company where I’d led marketing and communications for more than ten years. It was a shock to the system and I was uncertain what to do next. Challenging as it was, I recognized for the first time that my next step was not pre-ordained, and I didn’t have to continue doing what I’d been doing. After a great deal of soul searching, I opened myself up to new possibilities. I devoted time to “figuring it out” by looking at what truly fulfilled me, the parts of my career that I consistently enjoyed and identifying what I was no longer interested in doing.
That introspection led me to where I am now, working with companies from the outside-in to help develop authentic, emotionally intelligent leaders and well-aligned teams who contribute to strong and healthy company cultures. I love my job!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The passion and purpose I feel in the work I do now stems from the bumps in the road I felt along the way. While there were many high notes in my career, I’ve had my share of lows as well: feelings of not belonging as a new mom and only woman on a senior team; working with leaders who lacked self-awareness; lacking motivation and focus without a clear business strategy; and working in a toxic culture — to name a few!

Like many who’ve had a long corporate career, I’ve been there. And, to be clear, I was not perfect either! I often think that if I knew then, what I know now, I would have been a much better leader and that drives me in my work today.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When people work under great leaders, they enjoy their jobs, are more productive, and are motivated to do their best job for their company. And, companies with great leaders are better able to retain their employees. As they say, “employees don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses.”

My goal, and the mission of Amy Kan Coaching, is to develop and strengthen great, authentic leaders who are self-aware, resilient, empathetic and agile, who will develop and nurture these qualities in their employees, and in turn, create great work cultures.

Amy Kan Coaching does that through coaching and team development, consulting on people/business strategy alignment and providing behavioral assessments for companies to better understand employee strengths how they work most optimally.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Just one? I’m not sure I have one specific favorite but a collection of memories of summers that include dripping ice cream cones that I can’t eat fast enough and the warm sandy beaches of Cape Cod (shark sightings excluded.)

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.amykancoaching.com
• Twitter: @amykancoaching

Image Credits
Robin Foley