The Art of Advocacy and Standing Up for Your Team

Speak In Flow

In episode 89 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda Lee has an empowering conversation with Jeffrey Yang, the Chief Technology Officer at Rising Team. They dive deep into how you can supercharge your team by getting them all on the same page and working with a deep sense of purpose and ownership towards a goal.

Jeffrey shares his journey of personal and professional growth, reflecting on how he evolved from a "tell me what to do" mindset to becoming a leader who champions his team. Through stories of resilience and triumph, Jeffrey reveals the transformative power of thoughtful leadership that balances accountability with compassion.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The Vision for Empowered Teams

Rising Team focuses on creating workplace environments where everyone feels understood, supported, and empowered. Learn how consistent, team-based workshops and AI-driven leadership tools enable managers to connect with their teams on a deeper level.

Accountability Helps You Grow

Jeffrey reflects on how he transitioned from avoiding accountability to taking ownership, inspired by mentors who believed in his potential. His story underscores the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow as a leader.

Standing Up for Your Team (with Respect)

Discover how Jeffrey tackled a challenging workplace scenario to secure a fair team rating. Learn how aligning goals with stakeholders and advocating thoughtfully can create impactful results without fostering defensiveness.

Balancing Work and Well-Being

Melinda and Jeffrey have some great tips on making an 8-hour workday work for you. They know how to prioritize effectively and avoid burnout, so listen in to learn how you can break away from unhealthy cultural perceptions around overwork.

Memorable Quotes:

"If every person in the workplace felt understood, supported, and empowered, imagine how incredible that environment would be." - Jeffrey Yang

“Advocating for your team doesn’t mean pushing others down. It’s about thoughtful communication that helps everyone align and grow.” - Jeffrey Yang

“Powerful leaders are human. Storytelling from a place of strength and vulnerability creates trust.” - Melinda Lee

Connect with Jeffrey Yang

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffyang/

About the Guest:

Jeffrey Yang is the Chief Technology Officer at Rising Team, where he puts his heart and soul into creating solutions that empower teams to flourish and reach their full potential. Jeff uses his hard-earned expertise to empower teams to reach their full potential. From his "Happy and Successful" program to his current role at Rising Team, Jeff is a man on a mission. He is committed to transforming every workplace into a fertile ground for everyone's growth.

Fun-facts:

• Jeff has a family of gamers! He loves playing Baldur's Gate 3 with his wife and Tears of the Kingdom with his three kids.
• Jeff has a really unique sleep habit; he sleeps with his head tucked under the covers!
• Speaking of unusual pets, Jeff used to have a chicken, but it was only his pet for a day.

About Melinda:

Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.

She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.

Website: https://speakinflow.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall

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