Kimberly Lai

Leadership & Executive Coach
Emerging to Executive Leaders

Location: New York, NY (Eastern)

**Available only after 6pm ET Mondays - Thursdays and after 3pm ET On Fridays**

Experience/Qualifications: In the past five years, I've worked with 5,000+ leaders in the group and 1-1 setting at organizations ranging from Netflix and BlackRock to high-growth start-ups and nonprofits. I hold a certificate in somatic coaching from the ECC and have also undergone coach training at BetterUp. I am in the process of gaining my ICF credential.

Area of Expertise: I work with clients on a range of leadership competencies, but my most common topics include finding your footing in a new or expanded leadership role, navigating tricky workplace relationships (with your team, manager, peers, or other stakeholders), communicating with impact, whether in high-stakes presentations or everyday leadership moments, and understanding what's holding you back from the next level—and what to do about it.

Coaching Philosophy: I believe coaching is a deeply individualized journey. Every leader comes with their own set of strengths, gaps, default tendencies, and so on - and that's exactly what I work with as a coach. I'm not here to mold you into a one-size-fits-all type of leader, because that doesn't exist. I'm here to help you discover your unique brand of leadership and make the principles of great management feel natural, not performative.

How I Measure Success: At our first session, the client and I identify overarching goals for the coaching engagement. Then, at the start of each individual coaching session, the client and I also align on a success outcome for the session itself. Depending on the length of the coaching engagement, I may also do quarter and halfway check-ins with the client to see how they feel about the progress towards their goals.

What I’m Known For As a Coach: One of the first things people say after getting coaching from me is, "you were so easy to open up to." I'm not here to judge you and will create a safe container for you to share anything with me. The second most common thing I hear is, "you really know how to listen." Listening doesn't just mean I hear what you're saying; listening deeply as a coach also means I'm noticing what's not being said, I'm noticing subconscious language and blockers that may be preventing you from achieving the goal you say you want, I'm noticing patterns in your behavior and choices that point to a subconscious desire that may be at odds with the goal you've presented. Being able to hear these and bring them to your conscious awareness is one of the most helpful things a coach can do.

Hobbies/Interests: I'm a leadership coach and trainer by day, and I'm a Brazilian zouk dancer and instructor by night! I also am a huge foodie and international travel enthusiast (hobbies that tend to support each other beautifully).