#Leadership

On this episode of One Step Beyond, we are joined by Chang-hwan Boden, Global Lead of Business and Culture, Harvard Business Publishing and adoptee advocate.

In this conversation, Aram and Chang-hwan explore the complexities of adoptee identity, and the importance of adoptee advocacy. Chang-hwan shares their personal journey as a transracial adoptee, discussing the challenges they faced, as well as their mission to empower adoptees to find their voices and reclaim their narratives. Drawing from their transformative experiences in the punk and hardcore scene, they highlight the importance of self-expression and challenging societal norms. Chang-hwan emphasizes adoptees often have others speak on their behalf, and their goal is to inspire adoptees to take ownership of their stories, even if their truths differ from his own. Through their advocacy work, they aim to create a space where adoptees feel encouraged to share their authentic voices and advocate for themselves.

This episode also delves into how career satisfaction stems from aligning professional roles with personal values and purpose. Chang-hwan reflects on early career challenges and the common pressure to define a clear career path. Instead of focusing on a specific role or destination, they emphasize the importance of identifying your "why"—a personal sense of purpose or North Star. They share how mentorship and aligning passion with practicality allowed them to find fulfillment, both personally and professionally. Ultimately, they advocate for creating spaces where others can feel whole, valued, and empowered to live authentically.

Aram and Chang-hwan discuss their professional role at Harvard Business School, emphasizing the importance of social impact and community support. Chang-hwan shares insights into how social impact partnerships empower local organizations, aligning initiatives with organizational values can facilitate change, and community building can empower underrepresented groups.

ON THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT
Adoptee advocacy
Job satisfaction
Aligning professional roles with personal values and purpose
Blending personal and professional identities

Connect with Chang-hwan:
  / kimhwanchang  
  / chang-hwan-boden-9560a35a  

Connect with Aram:
  / aram-arslanian-cadencelc  

Connect with Cadence Leadership & Communication:
  / cadence-leadership-communication  
https://cadenceleadership.ca/