AC 1213 Wai K Leong MCC "Mastery in Motion — Journey to Coaching Excellence and Leadership Impact"

Arete Coach: The Art & Science of Executive Coaching

Arete Coach Podcast

Business, How To, Entrepreneurship, Education, Management

5 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 April 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode titled "Mastery in Motion — Journey to Coaching Excellence and Leadership Impact," Severin speaks with Dr. Wai K Leong, an accomplished ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), ICF Global Board Director, and Founder of JMC Coach Mastery Academy.

Recorded on December 20, 2024, this conversation explores Wai K’s journey from corporate leadership to coaching mastery, and his influential role in building coaching cultures across Asia and beyond. Recognized as the first Malaysian to receive the MCC credential and a member of the ICF Circle of Distinction (2019), Wai K shares powerful lessons for leaders and executive coaches seeking excellence.

Wai K Leong’s career began in education and corporate leadership, including significant roles at Intel and the Hong Leong Group, before he transitioned fully into coaching. His early leadership challenges sparked a deep interest in coaching methodologies, greatly influenced by the teachings of Thomas Leonard.

In 1999, Wai K founded the JMC Coach Mastery Academy, establishing one of ASEAN’s first ICF-accredited institutions with all four accredited coaching programs. His authored works — including Empowering Asian Mindsets Through Coaching — blend coaching mastery with cultural intelligence, empowering leaders to drive transformational change.

Key Insights

1. Mastery Beyond Tools: Transforming the Self

Wai K emphasizes that true coaching excellence requires a personal transformation — not just mastering techniques, but deep inner work, developing self-awareness, and practicing courageous presence.

2. The Power of Staying Curious

He illustrates the importance of "remaining in a state of not knowing," allowing deeper client truths to emerge without rushing to conclusions, a hallmark of masterful coaching.

3. Narratives Shape Leadership

Wai K teaches that problems are symptoms of deeper assumptions and beliefs, and coaches must guide clients to reframe unhelpful narratives for true progress.

4. Cultural Bridges in Coaching

Addressing the differences between Eastern and Western mindsets, Wai K shares strategies for adapting coaching approaches across cultures, fostering reflection even where expressiveness may not be culturally natural.

5. Lifelong Development and Reflection

From mastering presence to reinforcing healthy boundaries, Wai K champions continuous personal development as the foundation of lasting coaching impact.

Closing & Copyright Information

This episode of the Arete Coach Podcast featuring Wai K Leong, MCC was recorded on December 20, 2024, via Zoom video.

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

To learn more about Wai K’s work, visit JMC Coach Mastery Academy or connect with him via LinkedIn.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is the Arta Coach podcast with Severin Soren Soren Sorensson and his guest, Y.K. Leon.
0:05.6	He is an executive coach, MCC, global board director, and founder of JMC, Coach Astry Academy.
0:14.3	This interview is recorded on December 20, 20th, 2004 via Zoom video.
0:19.9	You are listening to Severn Sorensrenson, executive coach and curator of the
0:24.0	RT Coach podcast, where we explore excellence in the art and science of executive coaching.
0:29.6	I'm speaking today with YK. Leon. He is an executive coach, MCC, ICF Global Board
0:37.1	Director and founder of JMC Coach Mastery Academy.
0:40.3	YK is a ICF master certified coach and an ICF Advanced Credential Team Coach based in Malaysia.
0:50.3	He has over 25 years of experience with leadership and coaching and has helped
0:55.3	more than 10,000 leaders and executives amassing over 5,000 hours of executive coaching experience.
1:03.0	As a pioneer of the coaching industry in Asia, YK is the first Malaysian to receive the MCC credential
1:09.6	from the International Coach Federation and was inducted into the ICF Circle of Distinction in 2019.
1:16.6	YK's passion lies in empowering leaders and organizations to foster coaching cultures.
1:21.6	He co-developed the Coach Corporate Coaching Tool, which is why they used to enhance leadership effectiveness and drive transformational change.
1:31.3	In 1999, he founded the JMC Coach Mastery Academy and is the first coach education provider in ASEAM or Asian Southeast Asian nations to be awarded all four ICF accredited coaching programs.
1:48.8	An accomplished author, YK, has written three influential books, empowering Asian mindsets through
1:55.1	coaching, powerful performance coaching tips, and shift into masterful coaching. His work focuses on combining
2:03.3	coaching techniques with cultural insights to deliver impactful leadership development.
2:08.6	Recognized for his contributions, YK has received accolades from the APAC Best Coach Gold Award
2:16.4	in 2021. Furthermore, he has served the ICF in a variety of positions, such as
2:21.9	Vice Chair of ICF Global Board Director and currently a Global Board Director and Coaching Credentialing
2:29.4	Assessor. YK's approach to coaching blends his leadership experience as a senior executive in publicly
	...

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