Hi, I'm Dani Tan, and if you're here, you're in the right place! I'm so excited for today’s episode because one of my former clients is joining us to talk about her leadership journey and her experience with coaching. But first, in case we haven’t met— I'm Dani Tan. I'm a speaker, career and leadership coach, and I’m here to support you if you're looking to pivot your career or grow as a leader. I’m a former VP at a multi-billion-dollar company turned executive leadership coach. I’ve pivoted careers five times—PR, sales, merchandising, e-commerce—you name it. I earned 11 promotions in 11 years, going from sample coordinator to VP. As a first-gen college graduate and proud Asian-Latina (Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Chinese), I know how overwhelming it can be when you're the first to change things in your life or career.

That’s why I started coaching—initially with the nonprofit America Needs You, helping first-gen college students land internships. Eventually, I began helping colleagues and clients with career growth, hiring, and leadership—and I haven’t looked back. If you're into pivots, promotions, leadership, or job search support—that's where I come in. But today’s episode is extra special because you’ll hear from someone who’s actually been through the coaching process. So, with that said, let me introduce today’s guest—Xiaosu! Xiaosu: Thank you, Dani! It’s an honor to be here. My name is Xiaosu. S. during high school—so I definitely have that immigrant background. I went to high school and college in Michigan and, like many people, I’ve had a lot of twists and turns in my career.

I originally studied biochemistry and thought I was going to med school. Chemistry was my favorite subject, but I quickly realized that I’m an extrovert—I didn’t want to work in a lab. I even wanted to work for Disney at one point! Eventually, I decided that corporate America wasn't for me. I felt burned out by the profit-first mindset. That’s when I joined AmeriCorps—a domestic version of Peace Corps—which sent me to Boston. I’ve been in Boston ever since. During AmeriCorps, I worked with Boston Public Schools in the Partnerships Office. I loved the community engagement and collaboration. After that, I joined Year Up, a national nonprofit that helps young adults launch meaningful careers without a college degree.

I work at the national level with different cities and love the people management side of it—especially coaching and seeing my team grow. Dani Tan: I love how many lives you’ve lived! And while our coaching wasn’t specifically about career pivots, your story is such a great reminder that it’s absolutely possible to make those changes. Let’s dive into what brought you to coaching. What was your “why”? Xiaosu: I really wanted support. I needed an objective thought partner—someone outside of the situation who could give honest feedback. I specifically wanted to work with a woman of color who could understand the imposter syndrome I was facing. At the time, I was transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager.

). Dani Tan: Totally agree—nobody has all the answers! It’s helpful to have mentors and sponsors, but having a coach who’s outside the system can bring a fresh, unbiased perspective. You mentioned wanting a woman of color as your coach. Was there anything else that helped you decide who to work with? Xiaosu: Yes! I made a list of what I was looking for—someone who could understand imposter syndrome and help me build confidence. I also wanted someone with experience in people management or HR to support my growth as a new leader. Dani Tan: That makes complete sense. And I remember our work together focused a lot on the transition into leadership—going from being in the weeds and executing tasks to being more strategic and supporting others.

What were some of the key things we worked on? Xiaosu: A big one was managing up—learning how to communicate more effectively with my own manager, give feedback, and advocate for my team. I felt like I was stuck in the middle—expected to deliver results without always having a say in the decision-making. I wanted to learn how to have honest conversations, but still be kind and respectful. Dani Tan: Exactly. Many people think direct conversations mean conflict—but it’s really about clarity and communication for the greater good. And I remember boundaries came up early on in our coaching. You were incredibly dedicated, working around the clock, and responding quickly to messages—even after hours.

Xiaosu: Yes! That was a huge moment for me. You helped me realize that by always being “on,” I was unintentionally setting that same expectation for my team—even though I didn’t want them to work that way. Once I set clearer boundaries for myself, it gave my team permission to do the same. Dani Tan: I remember you saying you wanted to protect your team from burnout. But modeling those boundaries yourself was key to helping them feel empowered to do the same. We also talked a lot about your life outside of work—what kind of life you wanted to create. That really helped clarify what kind of leader you wanted to be. Xiaosu: Absolutely. Spending time with my family, especially my two-year-old niece, is so important to me.

Traveling and experiencing different cultures helps me grow and brings new perspectives that I take back to work. Parenting my niece even taught me patience, which—believe it or not—translates into people management! Dani Tan: Totally. Leadership isn’t just about your job title—it’s how you live and lead in all areas of life. Was there a specific tool or insight from our coaching that really stuck with you? Xiaosu: Yes. The biggest one was learning to stop jumping in with solutions. As an individual contributor, I was used to solving problems. But as a leader, my role shifted to asking questions and guiding my team to find their own answers. ” That mindset shift helped me empower my team, not create dependency.

Dani Tan: Yes! That’s such a powerful transition—from fixer to coach. And you also mentioned realizing your way isn’t the only right way. That flexibility makes room for new ideas and allows your team to grow. And considering you serve 5,000 students annually across 27 cities, it’s impossible for you to be in every detail. You have to rely on and empower your team. Xiaosu: Exactly. ” I need their insights to make the right decisions because I’m not in the day-to-day anymore. Dani Tan: So, as we wrap up—how do you think your leadership style has evolved? Xiaosu: I’ve realized that joy is one of my top values. I want to bring joy to the workplace. I’ve been lucky to love the jobs I’ve had, and I want others to feel that too.

That’s really why I wanted to become a people manager—to create a joyful, supportive space for my team. Dani Tan: That’s beautiful. Joy is such an underrated value in leadership. Any final advice for someone considering coaching? Xiaosu: Be open-minded. A great coach will ask the tough questions—the kind that keep you up at night—in the best way. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s transformational. Dani Tan: Yes! You’ve just given me a great reflection on the power of the right questions. Thank you again, Xiaosu, for joining me today. It’s been amazing catching up and hearing how your leadership has evolved. com. See you next week!