Episode 19:
Confidence, Cultural Identity, and Leadership with John Wang
with John Wang, Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Author Big Asian Energy
Where have you been shrinking to belong — and what would change if you assumed you already do?
In this episode of Courage Class, Lindsay sits down with leadership coach, speaker and Big Asian Energy author John Wang to unpack why so many high-achieving Asian professionals are overlooked for leadership – not because of lack of talent, but because of cultural misalignment and internalized pressure to shrink.
We explore the hidden patterns that may be running your career, why confidence starts with belonging, and how to turn perceived “weaknesses” – like being quiet or perfectionistic – into powerful leadership strengths. If you’ve ever felt tension between who you are and who you think you need to be to lead, this conversation will challenge and affirm you in equal measure.
LISTEN OR WATCH NOW:
“I get to decide whether or not I belong in a room – not them.”
John Wang
What you learn in this episode:
- How to speak up in meetings without feeling inauthentic
- Why your idea doesn’t need to be a “10” to be valuable
- How to set boundaries at work using practical scripts
- Why confidence starts with assuming you belong
- The difference between assimilation and integration in leadership
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About the Guest
John Wang is the host of the Big Asian Energy Show, a motivational speaker, and leadership coach helping Asian professionals break through hidden barriers and unlock their potential.
After discovering that many successful Asians were being overlooked for leadership roles not because of lack of capability, but because of cultural miscommunication and workplace stereotyping, he started doing research that uncovered why most advice like “just speak up more” often fail Asian American employees.
John has been featured on NBC News Daily, WSJ, CNBC, TEDx, Audible, Amazon, and has clients from Fortune 50 companies like Google, Meta, and Goldman Sachs, blending cultural insight and science-backed strategies to build confidence and visibility. His content on assertiveness and imposter syndrome has reached over 250,000 followers and over 25 million views.
John’s mission is to inspire a new generation to lead with confidence. His book Big Asian Energy, launched May 2025 (Tiny Reparations/Penguin Randomhouse Publishing), offers even more tools to step into your full power.
Find John:
Resources
Wang, J. (2025). Big Asian energy. Tiny Reparations Books.
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