152: The No. 1 Block to Leadership for Asian-Americans
Do you stay up until midnight prepping for a meeting, then hold back your best idea because you’re not 100% sure it’s ready? Have you ever wondered if you just need more confidence, more recognition, or even a different personality to be seen as a leader? In this episode, I share the real block I see in so many high-achieving Asian American women: the belief that you have to know everything before you’re allowed to lead. It isn’t a confidence problem. It’s a preparation problem, and it makes sense. Many of us were raised to see being prepared as a way to respect our family and community. That habit got you to where you are now. But in leadership, it quietly turns into overpreparing, hesitating, and missing the moment to step into your authority. I also talk about why being open about your growth builds far more trust than pretending to have all the answers, even if you work in a perfectionist culture. Because the women who get seen as visionaries aren’t the ones with every answer. They’re the ones who decide and move. You’ll hear how to: Make decisions with incomplete information Keep it simple, stay relaxed, and release your attachment to the outcome Practice small, quick decisions that build trust in what you already know Here’s what I know to be true: leadership grows through action, not more preparation. When you stop overthinking and start doing, everything shifts. If you know you’re likely giving away your authority and don't know precisely when it’s happening, the Asian Authority Audit is a personalized session to help you identify that moment. Limited spots available every month, apply here. THE TOP LEARNINGS IN THIS EPISODE: The Biggest Block to Leadership: Believing You Must Know Everything [04:08] The Roots of Overpreparation and Respect in Asian American Leadership [04:36] Shifting from Perfectionism to Vulnerable Leadership [06:31] Leading with Incomplete Information and Embracing Judgment [08:38] The Power of Relaxation and Simplicity in Decision-Making [10:29] Action as the Key to Building Self-Worth and Leadership Confidence [13:49] If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! Authority Shift: You're not being overlooked because you're not capable. You’re being overlooked because of how your leadership is being interpreted in real time. Grab the private audio feed for Asian-American corporate leaders where I break down the exact moments your authority drops...and why it has nothing to do with confidence or communication. go.nicoletsong.com/shift Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504 For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast . Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email podcast@nicoletsong.com to share any thoughts or feedback. Catch up with Nicole: Website: nicoletsong.com Subscribe to her newsletter Instagram: nicoletsong Tiktok: @nicoletsong_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/



