It is often said that when you find purpose you succeed in life!
While the saying might be true, it can also be argued that most of the people we see around ourselves do not have a purpose. The modern world is changing and it has only one demand to create an impact!
However, creating an impact without a purpose often invites chaos and that is why we have prominent leaders leading the business domain. While most people dream of working in Fortune companies, some of the people around us actually did and now have taken the world by storm on their own. Similar is the story of Catherine Li-Yunxia, a Global CEO and C-suite coach.
Cultivating a robust educational foundation with Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and multiple Executive Development Programs including MBA in universities such as INSEAD and Harvard Business School, Catherine has a long corporate career of 15 years, with companies like Cisco Systems, IBM, and Siemens. As the natural leader she has already been, she recognised that to build a future driven by purpose, leaders need to have a clear sense of purpose and strive to create an impact. This realisation led her to narrow down her goals and begin helping CEOs and C-suite executives of companies around the world to create an impact with purpose.
We came across her as one of the Most Admired Business Leaders of 2023 due to the impact she has had on global leaders.
And this is her story!
The Journey – Building the Future!
When asked about her journey, she emphasized the start as the genesis, beginning her career with hi-tech organizations in market development, market management, and strategic planning roles. She held both regional and global leadership positions which now contributes significantly to coaching effectiveness to senior leaders.
‘This allowed me to quickly grasp challenges, dynamics, potential impacts, underlying causes, and future situations when coaching top-notch leaders,’ said Catherine. ‘Being trained as a mechanical engineer in university, all though i have never worked as an engineer. However, this instilled strong logical thinking in me, which complements my predominantly right-brained coaching approach. This logical thinking enhances my thoroughness, especially when delving into understanding human nature, behaviors, psychology, the brain, and neuroscience. And now it has become my first rule to conduct thorough and deep research before applying any knowledge to coaching,’ She concludes.
The Purpose and Impact
Explaining her goals and objectives, Catherine says, “The Purpose and Impact.
Whatever we do, we must understand what drives us to action, and we must consider the ultimate impact of all that we do. What guides me in switching from my corporate career to a professional Executive Coach is the mission I had, which is to help senior executives reach their full potential – not only in terms of leadership effectiveness but also in terms of personal fulfillment. So, the purpose was a deep commitment to helping leaders, and the impact was to guide leaders toward greater success and fulfillment in their professional lives.”
An Impact of Her Kind
As a globally recognized C-suite coach, she always emphasizes strategies, a deep understanding of leadership, organizational psychology, team dynamics, and business acumen. This ardent approach makes her unique and gives her enough room to innovate. Regarding this, she says, ‘I adopt a holistic approach that integrates leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational dynamics for comprehensive development.’
‘A holistic approach in CEO coaching involves addressing not only specific leadership skills but also considering the leader’s overall well-being, values, and the interconnectedness of personal and professional aspects. It often includes aspects like emotional intelligence, communication, strategic thinking, and fostering a healthy organizational culture,’ she further added.
The Turning Point
Did you know the different and best part about coaching the CEO and C-suite executives?
Well, when we asked this to Catherine, she had an interesting thing to say about making a difference. She says, ‘One of the most impactful decisions I’ve witnessed is the commitment of senior executives to invest in their personal and professional development through our coaching programs. By partnering with us, senior leaders make a strategic decision to prioritize their continuous growth and leadership excellence.’
‘As the coach, I guide leaders in making strategic decisions that align with their professional goals and the vision of the organization. This collaborative and holistic approach ensures that the coaching journey has a lasting impact, influencing not only the leader’s immediate decision-making but also shaping a positive leadership culture within the entire organization.
In summary, the decision for senior leaders to invest in executive coaching with our programme marks a pivotal moment in their leadership journey, creating a ripple effect that elevates their performance, fosters organizational success, and contributes to a thriving leadership ecosystem.’ she concludes.
An Adviser’s Advice
‘Add a WHY. And it will show you your purpose.’ This is the advice Catherine wants to give to the young businessmen. Further explaining the WHY, she says, ‘Involve yourself with introspection—understand the societal or personal problem your business addresses. Define the impact you aspire to make and how it contributes to a larger, positive narrative. This purpose becomes the driving force, motivating your team and resonating with customers on a profound level, creating a lasting connection beyond mere transactions. It’s the foundation upon which you build a business with enduring significance.’
‘Make an effort to build relationships and foster collaboration. Enhance your adaptability as it is crucial in dynamic markets, and embrace continuous learning to ensure you stay ahead in your industry.’
The Future
Explaining about the future endeavors Catherine says, ‘Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we are excited to announce the launch of our CEO Advisory Forums. Recognizing the evolving needs of CEOs, we are introducing a structured advisory service designed to create a collaborative space for CEOs to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and gain valuable insights. The CEO Advisory Forums will serve as an exclusive platform where top executives can harness collective wisdom, explore innovative solutions to common challenges, and foster strategic thinking.’
‘Our expansion into CEO advisory services aligns with our mission to not only provide individualized coaching but also to contribute to the broader leadership ecosystem. We believe that by facilitating collaborative forums, we can amplify the impact of our services and create a network of empowered and forward-thinking leaders.’
‘In summary, while maintaining our core services of 1:1 EXECUTIVE Coaching and C-Suite Leadership Development, we are excited to embark on this new chapter with the introduction of CEO Advisory Forums. This strategic expansion reflects our commitment to providing comprehensive and forward-looking support to CEOs as they navigate the complexities of leadership in an ever-evolving business landscape,’ Catherine reflects.
