Why are we offering the AWE Leadership Coaching Program?
Asian women professionals are the least likely minority group to be promoted into management and executive levels, even though they are competent and well-recruited at the entry-level, based on the Ascend Foundation’s report on The Illusion of Asian Success.
Asian women professionals are “the forgotten minority in the glass ceiling conversation”. This was pointed out by Andie Kramer, a well-known diversity and inclusion author, in a Forbes article. The intersectionality of race and gender – being Asian and being women – causes Asian women professionals to encounter a double whammy and bump against a “double-paned glass ceiling”. However, Asian women professionals’ apparent success leads to insufficient focus on them when companies consider the negative impact of bias on their ability to advance in their careers.
The Forbes article further observed that many Asian women professionals felt caught in two competing sets of stereotypes. If they behave competently but are quiet and nice, they are seen as “Lotus Flowers,” or if they speak up and strongly express ideas and opinions, they are seen as “Dragon Ladies” who are aggressive and unlikeable. To manage this Lotus Flower/Dragon Ladies double bind, Asian women professionals face undue pressure to get it “just right”.
Dr. Joan Williams, a pioneer on gender bias, also highlighted in a Fast Company article how people of Asian descent and women encounter a “modesty mandate”, or the cultural expectation that they will be modest. This is often internalized and they often experience backlash as well if they are perceived to be immodest. Consequently, she found that the “modesty mandate” means that women, people of Asian descent, and first-generation professionals will often be unduly modest in self-evaluations.
The impact of cultural influences and the lack of upward mobility of Asian women professionals has resulted in the scarcity of role models in leadership positions. Without these role models to inspire them, many Asian women professionals lack the certainty and belief that it is possible to rise to the top and step into higher leadership roles. We see this is hurting us as a community, unable to see ourselves represented in boardrooms, media, or everyday life and for young Asian girls to be inspired to know that they can. We feel the urgency and need to take action, and this responsibility is upon us to step into roles representing leadership so that we can be the role models for our future generations of Asian women professionals.
As Asian women professionals ourselves, we are immersed in the same challenges and can fully empathize and relate to Asian women professionals’ struggles as our own stories. Therefore, our vision is to pave the way for our fellow Asian women professionals to flourish in their capabilities and step into leadership roles in their most authentic unapologetic selves. This is why we have developed the AWE Leadership Coaching program that is specifically and passionately tailor-made for our fellow Asian women professionals.
What will you gain from the AWE Leadership Coaching Program?
The AWE leadership Coaching Program for Asian women professionals provides a powerful three-tiered series of group and personalized 1:1 executive coaching sessions to best support Asian women professionals to flourish in their capabilities and step into their leadership visions. The program is based on our exclusive AWE Authentic Leadership framework customized specifically for Asian women professionals’ needs and pain points. The women professionals participating in this program will also become part of a network of like-minded peers, whom they will journey with, and lean into supporting one another in their careers with the guidance of an executive coach assigned for their small pod group.
Below are the key features of the program:
This program will help Asian women professionals gain clarity on their values and use cultural influences as powerful allies to leverage as strengths. We will enable them to build their inner game, master self-management, and create pathways to unblock the progression barriers. By harnessing their energetic presence, building effective communication, and developing strategies to achieve their visions, they will connect with their authentic leadership styles that are aligned with their true core values and culture. We will create a safe space for these Asian women professionals to talk about their challenges and issues, find psychological safety, and build a lasting network of support with like- minded peers to lean on through their journeys to leadership.
Our Coaches
The AWE Leadership Coaching Program will be led by the following professionally-trained and experienced coaches:
Aska Naito, PCC, Leadership & Mindset Coach, ASKA NAITO Coaching & Consulting. As an ICF certified Leadership & Mindset Coach, Aska Naito works with executives in global organizations, along with professionals in the entertainment, aviation/satellite, and health/wellness industries. She is also an expert in intercultural dynamics and communications. She consults and coaches in Japanese and English with clients across Asia, North America, and Europe.
Denise Ang, Executive Coach and AWE Network Founder. Denise Ang is a certified executive coach, experienced business strategy and partnerships leader, and a first-generation Asian woman immigrant in the US. Denise is the founder of the Asian Women Empowerment (AWE) Network and is passionate about empowering Asian women and other minority professionals to flourish in their abilities, scale new peaks in their careers and become role models to make the world a better place for future generations.
Informational Webinar
If you would like to learn more about the program, you are welcome to sign up for our complimentary Informational Webinar on the AWE Leadership Coaching Program on Leadership Coaching for Asian Women Professionals, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 12 pm – 1 pm PST at Eventbrite here.
Application Process
The inaugural AWE Leadership Coaching Program will start on March 8, 2021, and end in the week of May 10, 2021. The typical cost of such a coaching program is quite significant. However, we are offering the program at an affordable introductory rate of $699. We ask that selected participants be fully committed and provide useful constructive feedback that can help us improve the program’s future runs for the benefit of the Asian women community.
The deadline for application is Friday, February 19, 2021. We are now accepting applications, and as spaces are limited, applications will be reviewed for suitability.
This program is organized for AWE Network members. If you are not a member, you are still welcome to apply if you reply Yes to joining AWE Network Free Membership in the AWE Leadership Coaching Application Form when you submit your application. You are also welcome to join our AWE Network LinkedIn Group to meet other members.
If you have any questions, please email info@aweasianwomen.com. We look forward to your participation!