We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lea Tran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lea below.
Hi Lea, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
At many gatherings, I realized I was the only Asian in a room full of Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans; I felt lost. Being the only person in the room who doesn’t resemble anyone else can present an unspoken challenge. As a Chinese minority born in Vietnam and having arrived in America as a young adult, I did not see myself fitting in any box, nor did I have a strong foundation to anchor my identity. I was the one-girl island. The story I told myself in the subsequent years were full of limitations. I told myself no one could comprehend the danger our family faced while living under the communist. Escaping war-torn Vietnam on a dilapidated boat with five hundred others, plunging to the unknown of the vast South China Sea, my family sought freedom in the United States after eight horrendous months in the refugee camps in Indonesia. It was a tale that no one could understand. So, I buried and gave narratives that undermined my own story. So often, our personal narratives significantly influence our actions and decisions in life. Regrettably, many of us, myself included, are hesitant to confront past traumatic experiences, causing us to cling to narratives that do not align with our life purpose. I grappled with finding my place between Eastern and Western cultures for years. However, after four decades, I realized that true freedom extends beyond physical location—it resides within our minds and inner peace. When we change the story in our head, we construct a better future story for our life.
As I get older, my perspective on my own story transforms. Over time, I have acquired a set of critical strategies that have proven effective and successful in various situations:
1. Embracing my diverse cultural background and unique perspective: I no longer settle for blending in. Instead, I have come to appreciate the diverse viewpoints stemming from my experiences. This allows me to contribute fresh insights and bring a valuable perspective to the table.
2. Seeking support and mentorship: I have learned the importance of reaching out and asking for guidance and assistance from individuals I admire and wish to emulate. Their advice and encouragement have been invaluable in navigating unfamiliar environments.
3. Embracing self-confidence: Regardless of how different I may appear from others in a given setting, I have learned to believe in myself and my abilities. This unwavering self-confidence allows me to celebrate even the smallest victories and conquer the fear of the unknown. I build my confidence one triumph at a time, carrying each success story to build on the next.
4. Cultivating cultural competence through storytelling: I recognize the significance of developing and sharing my own personal narrative. Doing so allows me to inspire, encourage, and influence others within my community to embrace their own stories. When we find the courage to unleash our stories, we open the door for others to glimpse the world as we see it.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My passion and purpose underwent a profound shift in March 2020 when the pandemic triggered past war trauma-related PTSD and the uncertainty of life. This experience accelerated my determination to make the most of my precious, limited time on this earth.
Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response to my TEDx Talk in 2019 (watch it here: http://bit.ly/LeaTranTEDx), I realized that the world, or rather, I myself, was ready to liberate my story and find my own freedom. Thus, “I Did Not Miss the Boat,” my memoir, was published during the pandemic. As the profound Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” I unleashed my story!
With a decade of public speaking training and a certification as a transformative life coach in 2021, I now take the stage in-person and virtually across the nation, inspiring others to break free from their untold stories.
As the Chief Story Starter, I organize Story Time events within the local communities, fostering connections, unity, and love by giving them a safe space to share their stories.
My work primarily focuses on three categories of clients.
1. Women who seek to craft compelling narratives that transform their lives and establish a legacy story for their families.
2. Entrepreneurial owners who desire to create engaging brand stories that cultivate devoted fans and customers.
3. Individuals with ideas worth sharing who want to deliver a poignant message on the TEDx stages.
I am dedicated to helping people unleash the power of their stories, find liberation, and leave a lasting impact on those who hear them. Together, we can create narratives that inspire, connect, and ignite positive change in the world.
For a deeper understanding of the importance of unleashing your story, I invite you to download a FREE GUIDE on my website. If you’re curious about my family’s journey of surviving the Vietnam communists and escaping as “Boat People” refugees, you can order my autographed book on my website: https://www.leatran.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am fortunate to have inherited numerous valuable qualities from both of my parents. While it’s challenging to narrow them down to just three, here are the key ones:
1. Embrace an exceptional work ethic: Approach life with a relentless drive and passion. Be hungry for success and strive to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. You can achieve a fulfilling and prosperous life with dedication and hard work.
2. Belief in yourself: Recognize that your circumstances do not define your potential unless you allow them to. Cultivate self-belief and confidence in your abilities. Trust that you have the strength and capability to overcome challenges and pursue your dreams.
3. Choose your company wisely: Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. Seek out individuals who fuel your positive energy and contribute to your growth, personally and professionally.
You can embark on a path toward success and happiness by embracing these qualities. Remember, your journey is unique, and with the right mindset and a supportive network, you can achieve great things.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I firmly believe that everyone possesses a story that deserves recognition, with the potential to bring about positive change and inspire others to embrace their unique journeys.
I am open to speaking engagements at women’s conferences, associations, and corporate events. I would be delighted to engage in Q&A sessions with book clubs that have read my memoir “I Did Not Miss the Boat,” as well as make guest appearances on their podcast, radio show, or TV program.
To enhance visibility and support one another, I am dedicated to showcasing individuals with thriving stories who wish to share them with the world. If you have a thriving story, I invite you to join me on my “From Surviving to Thriving” Conversation, a weekly Live Show on Facebook. This platform is an interactive space for fostering meaningful dialogues and exchanging diverse perspectives.
To delve deeper into my story and participate in discussions on crucial topics, I encourage you to connect with me through my website, www.LeaTran.com, or email me at Lea@leatran.com. Let’s collaborate, learn from each other, and make a positive impact together through these platforms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leatran.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leatran_speaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeaTranSpeakerAndCoach
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leatranspeakerandcoach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeaTranSpeakerAndCoach
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AThrivingConversation.
