Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leah Feuer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?
Some of the biggest lessons I learned as a kid came from going to a Montessori school. My classroom didn’t have desks or a chalkboard. Instead there were rows of child-height shelves filled with “materials” (imagine trays of golden beads designed to teach counting and math, a set of textured letters to trace, a pitcher to practice pouring water). Each day I’d go and pick what to work on, explore it, put it back, and then pick something else to do. In hindsight, it gave me the confidence, tools and space to guide my own learning. It taught me the importance of curiosity and play in development, that play can be meaningful “work,” and that everyone and everything is worthy of respect. I noticed recently, my workspace today even feels a little like a Montessori classroom!
Leah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an entrepreneur and leadership coach (aka mind organizer), as well as artist and product advisor. Before starting my coaching practice, I led product teams for 10 years, won Apple’s App of the Year, built over 40 products, and advised at a blockchain incubator. I also burned out and took a year off to rest and reflect. During my sabbatical, I traveled (often solo), started drawing, and co-hosted an Indonesian food-popup. This all came together in a coaching practice designed to help leaders find a grounded confidence, clarity, and ease, while supporting them strategically on day-to-day challenges and goals. Being coached by me is somewhere between best friend, Chief Product Officer, board-member, work-wife, guide, advisor, kooky art teacher, motivator and that fitness instructor that invites you to “reach just a little more” when your abs are already on fire.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn being a “good worker.” It’s been my family’s survival (and coping) mechanism for generations. Being a Jew in America has something to do with it. My dad’s family immigrated here after being exiled to Siberia during WWII and forced into labor camps. From bricks to textiles, furniture and wood, there’s a long history of being both factory workers and owners. I inherited a knack for production and entrepreneurship along with the belief no matter how much you have or work, you will never really be safe. Conveniently, being a good worker is a good way to cover up any holes or fears around not being loved, accepted, valued or good enough. On a lighter note, my parents love to joke about engraving, “We get the job done,” on their tombstones.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
In my first year of coaching, I tried a bunch of different things to see what I enjoyed and what had legs. One of these experiments was a “career juice cleanse” – my first attempt at group coaching. I didn’t do any real marketing and got minimal engagement. Only one person formally, albeit eagerly, applied. Since I didn’t have anywhere near enough folks to make a coherent or curated group, I offered her a month of coaching 1-1 for the same price. We’ve worked on and off together for over 3 years – both inspiring and empowering each other in different ways. She was the first person to show me what an incredible fit feels like and the results it can have. She’s a coach herself now, as well as a good friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leahfeuer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahfeuer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-feuer-54893720/
Image Credits
All images are my own