In this enlightening episode, I sat down with Jamie Lee, a certified executive coach with a mission to help women navigate office politics, advocate for themselves, and reach new heights in their careers. Jamie’s journey from an immigrant upbringing to becoming a sought-after coach for women in leadership provides a unique lens on the power of self-advocacy, personal growth, and breaking free from limiting beliefs.
Jamie’s story begins with her arrival in the United States as a young girl from South Korea. Her family faced the challenges of building a life in a foreign country, and Jamie observed firsthand the power of resilience and hard work as her parents established themselves as small business owners in a new land. Her mother, who raised Jamie and her sisters while running a business and learning English, became Jamie’s first example of self-advocacy—a value Jamie would carry into her professional life and, eventually, her coaching practice.
Reflecting on her immigrant experience, Jamie shared how her upbringing taught her the importance of advocating for oneself, even when it feels uncomfortable. This perspective, combined with her deep understanding of workplace dynamics, informs her coaching philosophy: If it feels awkward to speak up for yourself, you’re doing it right.
A major theme in our conversation was the difference between comfort and confidence. Often, we equate confidence with ease, but Jamie emphasizes that true confidence is the ability to act despite discomfort. In fact, she believes that growth often lies on the other side of discomfort, a lesson she imparts to her clients as they work to elevate their voices and claim their authority in male-dominated spaces.
Jamie’s approach to coaching revolves around embracing awkwardness and discomfort as essential parts of self-advocacy and personal growth. For her, the journey to becoming an empowered leader means not only learning to navigate office politics but also redefining confidence as the courage to stand firm in your value—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Jamie’s wisdom: “If it feels awkward speaking up for yourself, you’re doing it right.”
One of Jamie’s most powerful insights is her belief that advocating for oneself is an act of service, not selfishness. Too often, women are conditioned to feel that asking for more—whether it’s a raise, promotion, or resources—is somehow greedy or self-centered. Jamie challenges this notion, urging her clients to reframe self-advocacy as a way to serve their teams, organizations, and themselves better.
By advocating for their needs and contributions, women not only honor their own value but also set a precedent for others, fostering a more inclusive and balanced workplace.
Jamie’s wisdom: “Self-advocacy is an act of service.”
Another critical component of Jamie’s coaching involves addressing the “itty bitty shitty committee”—those internal voices that feed our self-doubt and limiting beliefs. She emphasizes that these narratives, though ingrained, don’t define us. Instead, Jamie encourages her clients to acknowledge and question these beliefs, recognizing that they often stem from societal conditioning rather than objective truth.
Together, we discussed how limiting beliefs, especially for women, often manifest as concerns about how others perceive us or doubts about our authority. Jamie shared strategies for re-framing these beliefs, reminding us that authority is, at its core, about choice—the choice to see ourselves as capable, valuable, and deserving of growth.
In one of my favorite analogies, Jamie compared coaches to windshield wipers in a storm. Just as windshield wipers clear your view in a downpour, allowing you to drive safely and see clearly, a good coach helps clients navigate through the “storms” of self-doubt, workplace challenges, and personal growth. A coach provides that external perspective, helping individuals see past their limiting beliefs and focus on their true potential.
Jamie’s wisdom: “Coaches are like windshield wipers in a storm.”
In her work with clients, Jamie often helps women redefine what authority means. For many women, authority can feel like a foreign or uncomfortable concept—sometimes perceived as something only granted by others, especially in male-dominated spaces. Jamie encourages her clients to shift this narrative and see authority as a choice and an extension of their inherent self-worth.
Authority doesn’t have to mean “power over others”; it can mean the power to make choices, set boundaries, and advocate for one’s own goals and needs.
Jamie left us with a powerful takeaway: Transformation is a choice, not a destination. By intentionally crafting our narratives, questioning our limiting beliefs, and embracing discomfort, we can build a foundation of self-advocacy and empowerment that transcends our careers and impacts every aspect of our lives.
For any woman in leadership—or any woman aspiring to grow in her career—Jamie’s insights offer a roadmap for stepping into your power, owning your value, and advocating for yourself unapologetically.
This episode with Jamie Lee is a must-listen for anyone looking to harness their inner strength, redefine their beliefs, and embrace the journey of self-empowerment. Tune in to gain more insights into the principles and strategies that can support you in your own leadership journey.
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