I felt like an awkward turtle at work. Not because I was bad at my job.

In my first job as an engineer, I did what had always worked: put my head down and worked hard. School was structured. Work was not. Everything outside the actual job felt fuzzy. I had no idea if I was doing any of it right.

Then came the performance review I thought would finally mean a promotion. It didn't. Not because my work wasn't good enough, but because good work and self-advocacy are two completely different skills.

As a queer Asian woman and child of immigrants, nobody handed me that roadmap. The advice out there wasn't much help either. "Speak up more." "Be more confident." But how? That advice assumed I just needed a nudge, not a whole different approach.

So I figured out the “how” for myself. Over years of testing, I built a system with word for word scripts and strategies to navigate tough conversations, advocate for myself, and get recognized without becoming someone I'm not.

Now, as a Certified Emergent Essentials Coach, I help others do the same.