Season 2, Episode 34
Welcome to the Coaching Studio Podcast
This podcast features fun, lively conversations with masterful coaches who are creating an impact. Get to know them, their journey into coaching, and discover what wisdom they would offer you about being a better coach.
Let’s go!
the Coaching Studio Guest
It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Mel Leow, MCC to the Coaching Studio Podcast.
Quick Links from Episode
Learn more about Mel Leow, MCC, by visiting his website and seeing what he’s up to! Go check out his Podcast #100MasterCoaches
Book(s):
- Bring Out Their Best
- Coach Wisdom Vol II – Chapter 4 Engage Your Brave Life
- ENGAGE – How to Stop Living in Default and Start Living the Life You Desire
Find Mel Leow, MCC, on LinkedIn
Credits
- Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC
- Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer
- Production Editing: Lyssa deHart
- Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan
About This Episode
On this episode of the Coaching Studio, I welcome my guest today Mel Leow, MCC. We discuss business, feedback, self-reflection, and bravery. The idea of partnership and the need to learn to get comfortable with “not knowing” so that we can be in full curiosity with our clients and thusly better coaches.
When I asked him what he would say to those seeking their MCC, he responded, “I think I’ll just start by saying don’t take yourself so seriously. And I did, and I did the start, at least. Um, I kind of felt like I was the savior of the room. I didn’t just do coaching; I did facilitation. I did some speaking gigs and um, strategic leadership team meetings and stuff like that. So did all that. Um, and sometimes those experiences give you the feel like you’re in control, back again. Um, but I guess, uh, the more I let the people do the work, um, the less I feel like I’ve got to build up this, and I’ve got to do this to build my credibility. All of that is, I guess, important for the growth.”
With 28 years in Coaching, Consulting, Marketing, and Leadership in the Asia Pacific region, Mel’s key drive is to coach and empower Catalysts and Leaders to Live. Be. Brave. Mel serves c-suite executives from global and regional organizations to lead and thrive, speak their minds, connect with their hearts and bring out the best in others! He has over 4500 hours of Executive and Team Coaching experience and is one of 1500 Master Certified Coaches globally credentialed by the ICF. He is passionate about equipping “Future Coaches” through the Catalyst Coach Certification program as their Mentor Coach and Principal Trainer. Mel is a co-author of three books, “Bring Out Their Best,” “Coach Wisdom” (Volume II), and “The Calling” and author of the “ENGAGE – How to Stop Living in Default and Start Living the Life You Desire.”
I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Mel, and I hope you will as well.
Read the transcript of this episode of the Coaching Studio Podcast:
| Lyssa deHart | Hello and welcome to The Coaching Studio. I’m your host today, Lyssa deHart. I guess I’m your host every day on the Coaching Studio um, but today it’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Mel Leow. He is an MCC coach with the International Coaching Federation and my guest today. And I’m super excited to have you here today, Mel. Thank you for being in the studio today. |
| Mel Leow | Wow, it’s, uh, just a pleasure to speak with you, Lyssa. |
| Lyssa deHart | Thank you. Um, so you have your own podcast and I’m going to definitely have a link to that, uh, and everything, uh, on the page. I know we sort of start off with something a little similar, but I would love to hear a little of the journey that you took into coaching, like your background and what led you towards, uh, becoming a professional coach. |
| Mel Leow | Sure. Um, I’m just going to keep it short because I could tell this story in a long version, but my, uh, background is actually FMCG, um, marketing. That’s fast-moving consumer goods. I work for places like Colgate Johnson and Johnson and um, it was just amazing, this whole experience of, um, being able to help, uh, a brand grow. It’s just to me, exhilarating ah. Um, and then fast-track that. Twelve years later, um, I left my home country, Malaysia, to, um, move over to Melbourne, Australia, and man, there was a big shift on its own when I reached here. I guess the brain says, just get back into marketing over here, and all should be right. Um, but it didn’t happen that way. So I went from that to a couple of months, uh, looking for a job, and it did not happen. And by then, I was panicking a little bit, I guess. I was like, what did I do? Should I have done this and that and everything? And then suddenly something in my mind says, perhaps you could try something else. I have this book today to kind of show you. Um, it’s a quick one. Um, it’s called Jesus Life Coach. I don’t know whether you can see it. |
| Lyssa deHart | I can. |
| Mel Leow | Yeah. It’s written by Laurie Beth Jones. And when I opened the sleeve, there is a message from my wife. And I won’t read all the mushy stuff. Right. But we’re going to start a new journey in Australia. Um, yeah. And every step we’ll take, um, God will guide us, and let’s follow his steps and let God be the Life Coach. In that sense. Um, it’s kind of strange because I was not a coach then. This kind of came into my thoughts. I was reading the book, came into my thoughts, and that’s when I think I explore, I Googled about coaching, and I’m like, what was this thing all about? Um, and very soon, I found myself in a program, and that’s how it started, Lyssa. Uh, um, it was out of, I think, desperation on one side, on the other side, I guess because of that fresh new start. Like, all of us in our lives do, um, have this fresh perspective when we can turn, um, left one day, and then another time, perhaps turn right. And I hope at that point of time, this was the right move for myself. So that’s how it all started. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah. It’s interesting, as you are sharing this story, I’m thinking of that saying, “Let go and let God, ” and that trust in the universe that, uh, maybe it’s time for a right turn instead of a left turn, or a left turn instead of a right turn, or maybe the roundabout and go a different direction than you were ever expecting. What has been the most surprising thing for you about becoming a coach? I mean, that’s a pretty significant shift from being in marketing and really getting organizations, like quickly building brands and things like that, to becoming a coach. |
| Mel Leow | Well, I didn’t know about the entrepreneurial side of things, so that to me, I think would be the most surprising thing. Um, I was often helping organizations in whatever manner. Um, actually, after my FMCG gig, my last role before coming to Australia was general manager. So I actually managed a company, I worked with people. And you know what, if I think about it, I think that was the best role I’ve ever had in my entire FMCG career. And that wasn’t really FMCG, uh, 100%. It was that working one on one with people. So I think that kind of tied in really well. I kind of found that I love that, working with people. So the surprising thing, I guess, would be on one side, um, working with, uh, people, but in a different way, in, uh, managing a company. And ah, this right now coming, um, from an outside, um, perspective, uh, working with different organizations, uh, different seasons, and still the people connection was key, I guess. But as I said, nothing kind of prepared me for just kind of working, um, on your own limb and fancy. You could do anything, actually. You know what I mean? |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah, I do, I know. |
| Mel Leow | Every day, you kind of wake up and they’re like, oh, I could do this today. I’m still not used to it after 17 years. Uh, like an open diary every day. Right. It’s like, I could do nothing today. Hey, I could be just out on my bike today and just take care of my wellbeing. But I think that would be the thing. It’s not just the entrepreneurial gig. It’s that whole discipline to kind of choose to show up, um, every single day. Because you want to, and you know, what you’re doing is causing a little bit of a ripple effect in someone else’s life. So I think that is also a motivating factor. But hey, nothing prepares you for running your own business. Seriously. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah. No seriously. I think people very much underestimate the energy requirements and the things that discipline that you talk about that’s required in order to build your own business. I don’t know what you’re journey from. Like, did you start off as an ACC and kind of move through the credentials as you move towards MCC? |
| Mel Leow | Um, no, actually. |
| Lyssa deHart | What did you do? |
| Mel Leow | In the first couple of years? I was not doing coaching full time, so I kind of took my time to get to ACC, actually. Um, but I kind of, uh, joined the ICF very early in the game. So, uh, after one year of being certified, I kind of guessed that I needed to surround myself with my kind, my own tribe. Um, so I joined the ICF, uh, in 2007. And yeah, I think it was amazing to kind of meet other family members that you never knew you had, you know. And they talk the same way a little bit. M. It’s kind of weird. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m sure you’ve experienced it. It’s like I’m back home and wherever around the world you feel like you’re home when you’re in an ICF meeting. Uh, that’s how I felt. Um, it kind of prepared me in one sense, but it didn’t kind of rush me toward getting credentials fast. Because I was more focused on my day job. When I finally got into coaching, I did get a day job, and I started doing a lot of different jobs, and I went from, um, being a salesperson to, again, a general manager in a company and so on and so forth. But I think what was different, Lyssa is that I started practicing the coaching internally. For the very first time, I knew that I was intentionally going to speak to someone and listening and not jumping the queue, adding my 5 cents worth of comments, um, just taking my time getting to know someone, um, in a deeper sense. I wouldn’t say I was coaching everyone. Uh, but I guess I was bringing that, um, language into different conversations in my life and in my family as well. Um, I had growing kids then, and I know what kind of father I was then. I was a very strict father. Based, um, on my own upbringing I guess that’s the only benchmark I had. And so I did the same with my kids, but I realized that was another way. So I started even practicing coaching, um, when I got reminded of it, of course. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah, no, that’s beautiful. And I do think that I don’t know, if you’re doing something that you’re passionate about and you’re starting to see the positive impact that it has in this area of your life, it makes sense that it might open up the possibility for it to impact this part of your life as well. |
| Mel Leow | Absolutely. |
| Lyssa deHart | One of the things that I think is, um I don’t know what the word is right the second. Let’s see. One of the things that I wonder about often is just sort of how people see that concept of coaching shift through time. And, I mean, as you started off, you’re a certified coach, but then you move, you made the decision to continue getting credentials and continuing to grow yourself as a coach and develop yourself. What really shifted through time around your understanding of or capacity to be with yourself and others as coach? |
| Mel Leow | Um um, lots, actually. I think, number one, I started being more open to feedback. It wasn’t all the way, my way any longer. It’s what’s our way. Um, and I think that was helpful. Um, I would say in the closest relationships that I have, um, I remember, um, one of the changing I think the changing points was when I needed to complete, um, a coaching session, a recording. And I asked my wife whether she wouldn’t mind being, uh, the guinea pig. And man, did I, didn’t expect I will get into that hot seat. Because, uh, the topic that she brought up was about her, uh, husband. That, to me, has been the toughest conversation since with anybody. Because in that 1 hour, it felt like time stood still. Right. And it felt really like an out of body experience because she was talking about the person, but the person was in the room. Right? Come on. And I was getting the feedback from this way. And then I had to listen in and understand and try to make sense of where she was coming without feeling that judgment or that bias. It’s like that whole concept of withholding it. And it was crazy. But I think what happened was that feedback changed my entire perspective of what coaching or how powerful coaching was or is. And that’s just the first thing that happened throughout that journey. I think that whole need, um, for feedback continues. Um, when you’re working with your mentor coach, you’re, um, working with someone more senior, uh, to you and who could kind of tell you that the parts of you that and the parts of your coaching that kind of didn’t make sense and could be better. So then I think it’s an important part of it. How open are we to the feedback that we’re receiving from all corners of our world? I think the smallest feedback is still important to listen to. I think feedback is just one of the ways that I felt was the kind of catalyst towards my growth. Um, the, um, second there is, ah, I guess having that I don’t know much attitude. Wow. I don’t know much at all. Um, and I think when I bring that into a coaching conversation with my clients, truly, I’m saying to myself, I don’t know much. And it’s not needed for me to know that much. Because when I do, um, you and I know, Lyssa, that we tend to perhaps even, um, react uh, respond in a different way. It’s like we’re giving signals like, that’s not the right move to make, you know? Right. |
| Lyssa deHart | Like the very subtle nonverbal cues. |
| Mel Leow | Absolutely, absolutely. We don’t have to say anything, but we’re giving it away. But when I come with that space off, I don’t know much. Um, it’s like the songwriting don’t know much, but I know I love you. |
| Lyssa deHart | It is sort of like sitting in that space. Right? |
| Mel Leow | Absolutely. It is perhaps not love, but I know I care for you. Right. It’s that and when you as a coach, truly care for the person in front of you, you want to come, uh, into that space truly, as we all say, not knowing. I think that’s a beautiful space to be. Yeah. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah. You’ve said several things that are just really interesting to me, and I’d like to just sort of highlight them. But there’s this recognition of our biases that we have that I heard you talk about, like, you know, and that capacity to be in an open, not knowing space versus that expertise of, like, you’re m not doing it right. And I’m really curious, like, how did you cultivate that capacity in yourself to be in that state of self awareness, for lack of another way of saying it? |
| Mel Leow | That’s a good question. I think it’s just realizing it, um, on a daily basis, just coming, uh, to that space. I think it’s like a practice for me every day, waking up. It’s going to be a great adventure, number one. Um, and I don’t know what to expect. It’s like a little child in the candy store. And it’s like, wow, everything’s beautiful. Right? I want everything as well. But you’re not going to get everything. But you’re dreaming. You’re wishing you’re, um, desiring to experience something beautiful. Because I think if we bring in those perspectives of ours, it just shuts things down. And I’ve seen that happen through my coaching journey when I thought the best sessions were the ones that asked the best questions. You know, at least at the start of my coaching career, um, I used to have this, ah, happen to many people. I used to have this black book. |
| Lyssa deHart | Right, with the best everybody’s going to Know Now question the best questions book. |
| Mel Leow | Right. And, you know, I would like, just suddenly just look in the side, like but my eyes are looking at the questions like, AHA, I got this one. What’s stopping you right now? I’m glad I don’t do that anymore. And for a long time, because when I did that in those times and I didn’t realize, it kind of brought the limelight back on me. It’s like, it made me feel like the superior one. Like, it’s like, cool. Here you go. Master Jedi has just spoken. Yoda absolutely right. I remember one of my mentors who even say this. It’s like that who holds the power? It’s like the power in that. It’s like when we hold loose to those things, that’s when magic happens. Not just once, but quite a few times when I felt dejected, when I felt that that was not a good coaching session. Uh, Lyssa, I’m sure you’ve had that experience before. Two weeks later. I wish sometimes the client would send me a message immediately, but two weeks later I get this message and saying, you know, that was one of the most life changing sessions for me. What? |
| Lyssa deHart | You’re kidding? I didn’t even use any of my questions from my book. |
| Mel Leow | When I didn’t ask, um, any questions that I felt was you know what I mean? It’s just getting away from that um, and just resigning ourselves to just be to just be, as we call it, that thinking partner, that collaborator. Ah. That believer in human potential. That rock. I guess that won’t talk back to you. It’ll just be there. You could sit on it. It’s just going to be there. It kind of knows it’s worth it’s. The rock. Right? You could rest your feet on the entire shoelaces, but it’s there. It’s there for that purpose. Um, and it’s beautiful. Ah. And it’s not sparkly. You don’t need to be that sparkly. Rock. |
| Lyssa deHart | Rock. |
| Mel Leow | That’s it, uh yeah, it’s really interesting. |
| Lyssa deHart | Because it’s like you don’t have to be the candy shop. You don’t have to be every sparkly little candy possibility that a client wants. And this really makes me kind of think about that, I don’t know, evolution that happens where coaches discover that their value is in holding that space and being that rock to um, create that safe space for somebody else to do kind of the work and not the coach themselves to work so hard. Um, when you think about newer coaches or coaches who are wanting to move towards MCC, what do you think is important for them to understand? I mean, I think you’ve been sort of talking about it a bit. Maybe a little abstract of a way. I’m wondering if there was something that you would say to somebody who’s like, I really want to be an MCC. Not because of MCC so great, but because I really want to go on that journey towards this m next stage of development of myself as a coach. What sort of thoughts do you have for them to consider? |
| Mel Leow | So many. Listen, I could go anywhere on the business side of things or on the person side of things. Um, I think I’ll just start by saying don’t take yourself so seriously. And I did, and I did the start at least. Um, I kind of felt like I was the savior of the room. I didn’t just do coaching, I did facilitation. I did some speaking gigs and um, strategic leadership team meetings and stuff like that. So did all that. Um, and sometimes those experiences give you the feel like you’re in control, back again. Um, but I guess, uh, the more I let the people do the work, um, the less I feel like I’ve got to build up this and I’ve got to do this to build my credibility. All of that is, I guess, important for the growth. Um, because I never stopped learning, obviously. And every year I would want to commit myself to learn, um, the science of coaching in a different sense. Right? I’ve learned NLP, I’ve learned from different wonderful, um, teachers along the way and mentors going into different programs and all of that is important, I guess, but it’s not like you’re going to bring all of that into the room. So we’ve got to sometimes leave those stuff at the door before we enter. It’s going to be with you, it’s going to come out through how you’re going to carry whatever you’re doing through. If it’s one on one coaching and it’s going to come out then, but it’s not going to come out in that stylistic that you’re expecting to bring it out just like how you were taught. Um, so that’s what I meant. Just don’t be too fool of yourself. Don’t take yourself seriously. Yeah. Going from ACC PCC MCC after a while, forgot to be truthful, I just forgot that I was ever counting hours, to be frank. Um, I just did the work. Did the word reflect it? Ask myself what I learned from it? How could I be better? Every single time, m, every single time. Just doing that motion and just getting there. And one fine day actually, I realized I had enough hours and I wasn’t counting. I just said, oh my gosh, you got to do this logbook thing. And I just wanted to update the logbook, that’s all. I didn’t do it for years. I thought, uh, that’s bad because I’m going back history and it’s a pain. And best of all, I got my wife to do it for me, do it so I didn’t have to. And then I had wow, way more than expected. I was like, that blew me away. Seriously. And I guess the more your focus on the person in front of you versus the person that you think you need to be. Um. I think that’s just one little tip of as long as you tell yourself you’re going to put all the effort in improving yourself so the improving of yourself could be as an entrepreneur or even as a coach. Continuously do that. Be open to all of that shifts and yet when we reach the door and begin coaching. Kind of forget about all of that and just allow the person in front of you to take lead. Simple as it sounds. But I think that is the soundest advice that I could give any young coach coming in. Just relax, breathe, enjoy yourself this journey and don’t force yourself to want to get to a place, um, it will come. |
| Lyssa deHart | You mentioned this idea of self reflection in your coaching and I’m making an assumption here, so correct my assumption if I’m wrong, but how do you continue to be reflective in your coaching and in the work that you’re doing. |
| Mel Leow | I read somewhere, um, that meditation, um, is like prayer. And in some ways, prayer, um, is also like a conversation. You, um, could be thinking sometimes I think I’m talking to myself because, hey, talking to God or the universe or whatever, that has often been a practice within me. So I constantly talk. And by the way, we constantly talk to ourselves anyway, so sometimes I just give up on that because it’s going nowhere and I start talking all over. And I guess that’s part of the rhythm of what I’ve been doing for years. And then when I’m thinking about how, um, I am a coach and my daily routine as a coach, I’m also thinking of it in different in different lights, uh, in different perspectives. Sometimes a little bit like, um, an observer point of view. You know, that whole perceptual positioning position 1234, uh, and so on, so forth. So it’s that practice of continuously making, um, space for that conversation to happen not just inside you, but outside of you as well. And I use that time of my walks, uh, which I regularly do, um, my cycles, whatever, just to be out in nature, um, and just enjoying that open spaces with myself. I think that’s the practice that I have been doing for years, and I think it’s just natural for me to take that on additionally, uh, and put myself on that plate of reflection and say, how am I doing as a person? I’ve even brought that reflection piece into our family. And we do that quite often as a family. Um, and especially every year, we sit down, as the five of us, and we actually reflect on a piece of paper. Um, we have a wonderful discussion. It’s often during our holidays, so we take time intentionally to give each other feedback. Um, I like the questions when, uh, the two of them one is, um, what must dad do? Uh, less of what must dad do more off? It’s a simple question, right? |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah. |
| Mel Leow | But it’s enlightening. Um, and that is what I write. And each of my m family members write that of me as well. And you’ve got to be really open to really listen into those feedback because it’s coming. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah. The people you love and you live with. The thing that’s really showing up for me as you’re speaking is just the degree of bravery and courage it takes to allow yourself to hear the reflection that may or may not be the reflection you have of yourself. Um. And just how beautiful that is that you’ve created that kind of space with your family where you are all given permission to share your experience of what you need more of and also what maybe I could have a little less of. Yeah. And that really fits with that sense of also of awareness and awareness of I don’t know of the kind of person that you’re showing up as and who you want to be. And there’s an intentionality there, um, that is really powerful. How do you then show up with your clients in a similar kind of way? |
| Mel Leow | You mentioned, uh, the word Brave. And that word has very deep meaning for me. Um, I got that, I think, years ago when I saw how my grandfather lived his life. And just every week when I met him, um, I would hear those brave stories. And he was a beautiful storyteller. And I think from very young I realized that I would really want to live my life this way. He lived through, um, every storm, Japanese occupation and all of that and all of those trials. Um, he had 20 or 19 children. Um, it was just crazy. Um, and very little, I realized the importance of that communal, um, sharing in the center where someone speaks and you listen. It’s part and parcel of life. I, ah, think that whole circle around the campfire, why that is so, um, um, important in our culture. The talking stick, everything that comes about in conversation, um, when you allow that person that holds that stick to say his or her piece. And I think that is where it came about, um, that whole, um, respect and care and love for the person that holds to stick, um, because whatever she says is honorable and has a right to be heard. And that’s what I think, I guess I bring into that coaching space. It is that you are very important and what you’re saying is very important for me to really listen into. Um, and I guess that’s the curiosity. That the whole thing that, um, I’m so wanting for you to be you, um, versus trying to be that head of department, head of company that you think you need to be and show up, that brave. So to me, that Brave is not showing up as the CEO. That Brave is showing up as you in a conversation. I think that’s how, um, that environment needs to be. That’s what we value. We value the stories that they are sharing. Every one of them is important. Um, there’s no little story. There is no more important story. Everything that they share has something rich behind it. And it comes out, um, it’s whether we’re listening. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah, that idea of just being with somebody and wanting to really hear their story, that has honestly been my experience of you. And every encounter that I’ve had with you is that you very adeptly hold that space of curiosity, but also to allow the other person to really come forward. And for me, that really speaks to holding that person as whole, capable, resourceful, creative, right, and also important, um, and valuable. And, um, so I really see you model that in the interviews that I’ve listened and watched of yours and just how I’ve experienced you personally, and I appreciate that. And I really think that that is something that is so, um, underappreciated because so many people don’t have anybody that will listen to the stories. And in a way, what a gift that becomes to be the person who can hold that kind of space with another human being. |
| Mel Leow | Totally the importance of I often say this, we could be the only person in their life listening, um, to them at that level and not just butt in with our comments and cut them short and add in hours. We get that everywhere else, to be frank. Um, even in conversations we have with our closest friends, um, because of their care and concern for us. If you’re sharing about a challenge that we are going through, they would say, come on, you got to do this for yourself. Come on. Yeah. And they do it with the right intention as well. I’m sure you and I know that. But when we ask ourselves, what do we need from that conversation? Was just that space for someone just listening to me and not just cut me off or assume that you know where I’m hitting with what I’m saying, it’s like, yeah, it’s all right, come on. And then they share their thoughts. When I went through the similar challenge. Okay, you take over my story now. There you go. Let’s see where you go. Is my story. |
| Lyssa deHart | Feeling, um, so heard right now. |
| Mel Leow | That’s right. Thank you. And I bought the coffee on top of that. Might as well just got a coffee for myself and just gone to the bush and just walked. That would have been more helpful mistakes, but you know what I mean? |
| Lyssa deHart | I do. |
| Mel Leow | That space. |
| Lyssa deHart | Honestly, I think you work with upcoming, uh, coaches, and I know I do also. And it is, I think what you’re speaking to right now is one of the most important developmental stages where we stop would be, oh, I’m hearing you’re feeling XYZ. Oh. When I was going through it, XYZ, like, insert here all of my stuff. And I absolutely appreciate you bringing that forward because I think it’s so crucial to actually showing up and holding the space for another human being. What are you passionately involved with right now? |
| Mel Leow | Well, you said it before, it’s working with the younger generation of coaches coming in and ah, it’s not about the age, it’s just the new ones walking into coaching. And I just love that. Again, I get to play a little bit of a mentor, so that excites me. |
| Lyssa deHart | Still kind of nice. But it’s the right role for the right situation also. |
| Mel Leow | That’s right. So here I can talk a little bit more. Okay. But, um yeah, just seeing them come into this space and as you were saying before, that the world that we’re living in is unlike what we live through over the last two decades, at least, um, that’s changed. Um, And to be frank, what my thoughts are of them for their future actually carries little weight when you think about it, because the world is not the same anymore. |
| Lyssa deHart | It, uh, could be completely different in a year. |
| Mel Leow | Absolutely. So that passion about equipping the coaches, um, not just with tool kits and models and processes and all of that core competencies and all that so important, and yet on this other side, is just releasing them out there. It’s just like this proud parenting, off you go on your bike, you can find balance. I’ll see you off into the sunset, still cheering, clapping for you and saying, I’m here for you, and just be able to know that, um, we’re creating this little ripple effects everywhere we go. I think coaching, or the impact of coaching changes and brings shifts to life out there. And I think just being a part of that makes me come alive. Um, just being able to be part of that ripple effect that will continue and continue and continue through those conversations is the one that I’m really passionate about. So we have a mission to equip 100, um, coaches that impacts 10 million people. And that’s the ripple I’m talking about over the next, um, 20 years. So that’s our mission. And I think that only can be achieved when we realize that, um, the buck doesn’t stop here. Right. It continues through the lives of everyone you and I touch in. And I think that’s the power and the multiplication of the impact, um, so that excites me. |
| Lyssa deHart | Yeah, that’s incredibly exciting. Well, and as we come to a close in our conversation today, I’m closing out with a question to everybody, um, which is, if you were writing your autobiography, and I almost want to tell you what I think your autobiography would be called. I’m not going to because that’s not what coaches do. Um, but what would the title of your autobiography be if you were to write one right now? |
| Mel Leow | Well, that way it comes up again. It’s Brave. Right. Um, but it’s not the Brave that you and I think it ought to be. It’s the Brave that people need to, um, begin to want to walk into. It’s that level of Brave that they’re comfortable at walking into as well. So it’s not being a crazy, stunt, uh, stunt person jumping off planes Brave. Um, not Tom Cruise, by the way. |
| Lyssa deHart | Which I’m sure he’s Brave also. But. |
| Mel Leow | Um, it’s just appreciating the different Brave out there and not discounting it on top of that. Not kind of saying if that Brave wasn’t brave enough, but that was good brief, because that was your Brave. And imagine a world where every one of us walking into our Brave, I think that will be a beautiful world. Like, for me, um, I have a heart for Africa. I’ve been there a couple of times, and I look forward to going back there, uh, sometime in a couple of months, actually, I’ll be going back there, and I realized that that’s my level of Brave. Um, it’s going to a place that I have I feel like I have zero knowledge, zero context, zero understanding, and yet realized, um, that the connecting piece is that just visiting, um, another beautiful, Brave human being on the other side of the Earth and just being a catalyst to that particular person at that point of time. So that person then continues that Brave in his or her life. Um, so that excites me. That is the story that I hope and pray will continue to resonate to my last breath. So Brave. |
| Lyssa deHart | Brave. Beautiful. Mel, thank you so very much for being on the coaching studio today. I have absolutely enjoyed spending this time with you. |
| Mel Leow | Uh, thank you so much, Lyssa, for the work that you do. Um, it’s just, um, amazing. Continue your brave as well, Lyssa. |
| Lyssa deHart | I know. I love that stepping into my Brave, just being Brave, I think that’s such a it’s the journey of a lifetime. |
| Mel Leow | Yes. Thank you so much. |
| Lyssa deHart | Thank you. Okay, now I have to squint. Now I have to squint until I can, um, find the recording button. |
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Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC
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Lyssa deHart ditched her therapy practice to become a Leadership Confidence Coach. Along the way she discovered a passion for professional coaching and wanted to find ways to share that passion with the world. Come join her in discovering and meeting some of the most amazing professional coaches on the planet. Her goal is to inspire coaches. Lyssa is the author of StoryJacking: Change Your Dialogue, Transform Your Life , and The Reflective Coach. Lyssa is an ICF PCC Assessor, Certified Mentor Coach, and budding Coach SuperVisor. Lyssa uses her understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, combined with her knowledge of Neuroscience, to work with people to become extraordinary professional coaches. Let's Go!
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