Hope Yanling Yin

I was a technology leader for more than 25 years. At times, I felt that I was doing what I love, but I could do more. I was passionate about my work but may not have been compensated properly. I liked most people I interacted with, but someone pushed my buttons. I was a great leader, but I had been working for the same company for many years. Stay or leave? Change is constant in technology; how can I keep up? These competing choices and conflicts required me to make conscious choices that created a win-win outcome for myself and the organization.

At work, promotions passed by, and I didn’t even know why. There were circles I felt were hard to get into or that I didn’t even know about. Decisions were made without my input or awareness. I had a great vision and strategy, but my stakeholders didn’t always buy in. I wished all my team members could be more responsible and independent. With motivation, vision, strategy, and perseverance, I cracked the promotion code and became a technology executive in a Fortune 25 company. I created, practiced, and shared my S.T.E.A.M. promotion strategy with hundreds, if not thousands, of leaders.

My energy was drained at the end of the day, and all I wanted to do was sit on the couch or go to bed, but I had to take care of the kids. I drove them to activities, and then I had to worry about what was for dinner. When reading to my kids, I had no idea what the book was about and fell asleep. But now I have a BIG energy reservoir and rarely feel tired.

I wished my partner could help me more, but after a divorce, I had to face all the challenges in life by myself and wish I had a shoulder to cry on. I was a single mother raising young kids alone for more than a decade. Now I am happily married to my soulmate, and we support each other unconditionally.

I told myself that I wanted to take care of my mind and body and exercise. Before I knew it, I needed to go to bed to catch some sleep so that life could go on the next day. I felt guilty that I didn’t do it (AGAIN!) and promised I would do it tomorrow, and the cycle repeats. Where is the TIME?! Now I run races throughout the year. I ski in the Rocky Mountains. I dance at festivals. I read dozens of books each year. I write blogs regularly. I volunteer for good causes. I have all the time I need.

My kids grew into teenagers. They rolled their eyes. They didn’t want to talk because they didn't feel I could understand them. I wanted to raise them to be responsible people. I showed them the right principles at every opportunity. They were distant. I felt hurt and didn’t know why this happened to me. I had done everything I could to raise them, so why do they not understand that and appreciate me? Now, I have a loving relationship with my kids, and they feel comfortable talking to me about everything. I don’t judge them and don’t remember the last time I raised my voice. My children told me, “I love you so much, Mama, and the reason I have been able to be anything in my life has been because of you. I look up to you a lot, and I am really thankful you’re my mom.”

As an immigrant, life was miserable with both language and cultural barriers. My dream was crushed. The reality was forcing me to play small. I started questioning whether I made the right choice living in a different country. How can I ever be able to fit in without losing my own identity? I became introverted temporarily. Now, I am a professional speaker and a member of the National Speakers Association. I give speeches regularly to global Fortune 500 companies and tech conferences to inspire people around the world. I demonstrate to leaders the path to mastering communication skills and executive presence.

I wished life could be easier. I wished my influence could be bigger. I wished I could support more people. I volunteered here and there, feeling exhausted and lacking focus. Now I am laser-focused on supporting tech leaders to level up their leadership influence and live happier, more fulfilling lives.

The sky is the limit!