On this episode of Ask The Experts, Alka Sharma talks to Sohee Jun who works with renowned Fortune500 companies in the entertainment, production and media space as well as high performance coaches, emerging leaders and executive teams to capitalise and strategically gain opportunities for growth and change.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I came to the US at the age of 6 from South Korea, not knowing the language or culture, I was dropped into the middle of Phoenix, Arizona, which is completely different from South Korea. That literally began my journey of trying to assimilate and really find out who I am. We moved almost every year when I was young, as an adult that allows me to quickly fit into any situation and helps me be super resilient.
• I wanted to be a good daughter of immigrant parents who hustled and had 3-4 jobs at any given time to make the American dream come true. Part of why I went to college was because I wanted to fulfil part of their dream to come to the US. I was doing a medical degree and it just didn’t feel authentic to me, it was a path I didn’t want to follow. It took a lot of courage to say to them I want to pursue this field I’m in now, organisational psychology and coaching which back in the 90s wasn’t really well known, it was just emerging. 
• I look at people in the workplace and how they can really engage with the workforce and culture of a company, how you retain people, how leaders do their part at engaging and retaining people. I sit down with leaders at every level to really look at strategy and align that with the people part of it. No matter how fast and how much technology there is, we're still doing work through people. 
• I’ve come to believe there’s a core tenet to what great leadership looks like no matter what context, culture and what’s happening in the macro world. Especially with the pandemic and societal things that have been happening over the past 3-4 years, it’s really illuminated that the tenets of great leadership are super simple. I work with my coaching clients around how do leaders allow their employees to be seen, valued and heard? These three principles, no matter what’s going on in the outside world or within a company, really stand the test of time. People want to connect, whether you consider yourself an introvert, an extrovert, whatever, there’s still a desire to connect. Being a great leader is no longer about how you do the work, it’s how you leverage the people on your team to do the best work. 

BEST MOMENTS
‘I coach from lived experience because I think that’s how I can be of most value.’
‘Twists and turns are what give the texture and colour to one’s life. Going through it was painful, but those painful lessons are what allow me to appreciate the joys in my life now.’
‘Leaders have such a role in the experience of people in the workplace.’
‘There are challenges in everything, it’s just a matter of perspective. Is the challenge worth cultivating more joy around?’

ABOUT THE GUEST
Sohee Jun is an expert on the challenges that face working women in today's complex world, as well as a sought-after executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership development facilitator.
Sohee has over twenty years' experience in the corporate world, including serving as the executive director of organisation development and change management at Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Today, she helps leaders change themselves from frustrated executives to insightful, impactful, and inspired humans. She has worked with many Fortune 500 companies in high-powered industries such as entertainment, gaming, financial services, and engineering.
Sohee inspires women to reject societal limitations and instead ask for what they want and need-at home, at work, and in motherhood-during the ever-changing seasons of our lives.
Website: https://soheejunphd.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjunphd/
Instagram: @soheejun_phd

ABOUT THE HOST
Alka Sharma is a Real Estate Investor. She has a zest for life, helping her clients gain knowledge and insights into property investing. Alka takes her time to make sure her client’s needs are met.
Alka is an accomplished, professional ballroom dancer having competed both nationally & internationally.
Alka is grateful for all her experiences that have shaped her today as a successful Entrepreneur, Real Estate investor.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alkasharmaceo/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a1lkee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alkastotalfit
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlkasTotalFitness