My Name is Alvin Chan
I help leaders prevent and solve complex problems by enabling them to be more effective regardless of the circumstances or the relationships involved.
We accomplish this by combining executive coaching frameworks with proven mental models, methods of practical self-mastery, and expert interpersonal skills.
The Art of Thriving in a Dynamic World
Crucial skill sets for effectiveness in challenging times are often overlooked in conventional education and training. Emotional agility, skillful decision-making, and the ability to influence are all important foundations for becoming our most powerful selves. My deep experience with and within organizations has revealed this and other blind spots in leadership development.
My executive advisory coaching, keynote speaking, and leadership consulting has spanned individuals and organizations in the corporate, entrepreneurial, not-for-profit, business association, and educational institution space. The tools and concepts I employ have been developed for the specific needs of the high-performing professional, and continue to be honed through direct feedback from those who are daring greatly in the field.
I am an Integrator of Disciplines
My coaching and consulting draws from a curated and fine-tuned set of methodologies that incorporate powerful insights from a wide range of domains. I bring forward both obvious and counterintuitive sources of building mental fitness, resourcefulness, emotional intelligence maturity, and leadership effectiveness.
I do so through the filter of what is practical for the unique pressures of the business world.
As Clayton M. Christensen wrote in The Innovator’s Dilemma, disruptive innovations “involve no new technologies; rather they consist of components built around proven technologies that are put together in novel architectures, offering the consumer a set of attributes never before available.”
To see an example list of some of the proven sources I draw inspiration from, visit -> this page
Coaching Certifications and Training
I am certified by the Co-Active Training Institute, considered the gold standard of executive coach training. CTI has trained leaders from more than a third of the Fortune 100.
I am also PCC-certified by the International Coaching Federation, the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the profession by setting and upholding the highest standards of competency and ethics.
My group and team coaching training is based on the ORSC™ model, through CRR Global.
Details -> here
The Artist’s Mindset
- One of my early street photography creations. Thoughts on what art teaches us are at my artistic pursuits website -> here
When I was a young, the people around me told me I had artistic talent. I was always drawn to creating art but did not pursue it as a profession because I thought there was no money in it.
Fast forward: As I progressed in my corporate career, I came to realize that the world of art had much to offer the world of business. I reconnected with my love of artistic creation through learning a wide variety of arts, from street photography to acting. I learned to appreciate how the artist’s mindset can transform the business professional’s effectiveness and engagement, and started to implement those best practices.
The value of adapting wisdom and methods from domains outside of the business world into the business world cannot be understated. Among the many lessons, I have found that there is gold in understanding how an actor works with emotions, how a magician attains mastery, how mindfulness teachers train elite athletes, and how improv performers learn to think on their feet.
More importantly, exploring the artist’s mindset can bring a dimension of creativity and ways of being that can transform a business leader’s influence and tangible results. Where applicable, I bring these insights into my leadership coaching and consulting work to provoke creativity and to promote growth.
What I learned from Mom
- Me with Mom
I immigrated to Canada in my childhood, and experienced the vulnerability of being an outsider learning to adapt to an unfamiliar language and way of life. My parents divorced in my early teens. Living with my mother, I learned through her actions and words the importance of relationships, reputation, and personal integrity. Growing up without a consistent father role model, however, resulted in struggles as I navigated early adulthood. I made mistakes. Lots of them.
As I progressed, I began tapping into my resourcefulness more and more. I eventually built a successful corporate career despite always being initially under-qualified for the roles I pursued. I noticed that my successes had much to do with the simple lessons I learned from my mother earlier in life.
I am still learning, but the quality of my “mistakes” are much better these days. Since becoming a professional coach and leadership consultant, I am now fully embracing my genuine passion. While working with clients to achieve their goals has been tremendously meaningful, what I find truly inspiring is seeing them become more powerfully human.
I know how challenging it can be to not know what the right steps are - and what it takes to create a path in uncertain circumstances. If you're an overachiever who wants to make even greater impacts while being engaged and burnout-free - you and I should have a conversation.