A root cause approach to leadership transformation for mid-level and senior executives.
「閱讀改變的不是世界，是看世界的自己。」
of executive coaching engagements fail to deliver lasting behaviour change.
Traditional coaching often jumps straight to action plans without understanding what is really holding a leader back. The common trap: someone else creates a plan for you before you understand why previous plans did not stick.
The Mytalkbook difference: we guide you through a structured "5 Whys" root cause methodology — borrowed from Six Sigma and adapted for leadership — so you uncover the real friction yourself before designing your own strategy.
"Reading does not change the world; it changes the person seeing it."
— Mytalkbook philosophy
As a mid-level or senior leader, you are likely navigating multiple high-stakes priorities simultaneously — and they are all interconnected.
| Your stated need | The deeper question we will explore |
|---|---|
| Feeling stuck despite working harder | What is the root cause preventing your efforts from translating into results? |
| Struggling with team dynamics or stakeholder relationships | Where is the real friction — people, structure, or culture? |
| Losing clarity on priorities and direction | What are you saying "yes" to that you should be saying "no" to? |
| Wanting to grow but unsure what is holding you back | What is the gap between how you see yourself and how others perceive you? |
| Feeling overwhelmed by competing demands | What invisible barriers are draining your energy and focus? |
| Knowing something needs to change but not knowing where to start | Are your goals truly yours, or inherited expectations? |
We ask you to complete a guided self-evaluation that peels back five layers of "why" to reach the root cause of your biggest challenge — entirely at your own pace, online.
Describe your primary struggle, what you observe happening around you, and the real impact on your work and life.
Starting from your core pain point, ask "why" five times in succession. By the fifth "why," you arrive at a root cause that is systemic, personal, or structural.
Propose your ideal solution, then honestly examine why it feels impossible to execute right now. This reveals the true blockers.
Why this works
Leaders who complete this self-evaluation gain 10x more clarity about their real challenges. By doing the work yourself, you build genuine ownership of the insights — and that is what makes lasting change possible.
Weeks 1–2
The first two weeks are about seeing clearly before acting.
Deliverable
Your own root cause statement and a prioritised list of the top 3 friction points, created by you.
Now that you understand the real problem, you build your own plan — with guided facilitation from your coach.
Deliverable
Your complete 60-day plan with milestones, stakeholder map, and leadership playbook — all created by you.
Weeks 3–6
Weeks 7–12
Strategy without execution is just a wish. This phase is about making it real.
Deliverable
Your own progress report with before/after comparison, created by you and suitable for sharing with senior leadership.
Your coach is not an outsider looking in. Laurence has walked the same corridors, faced the same pressures, and navigated the same politics — for over 25 years across manufacturing, supply chain, and corporate leadership.
From factory floor operations to senior leadership driving Esg strategy, supplier optimisation, and digital transformation — Laurence brings structured, systems-level thinking to leadership challenges.
Over 25 years of hands-on experience across manufacturing, trade, and supply chain management
Specialisation in Esg integration, global supply chain optimisation, and quality assurance
Six sigma green belt certified — the same methodology behind the 5 Whys framework
Civil engineering background — structured, systems-level thinking
Founder of Mytalkbook — a Cantonese podcast dedicated to deep self-awareness through reading
This is not just personal development — it is a strategic investment in leadership effectiveness.
| Outcome | How it is measured |
|---|---|
| A clear, validated root cause for your biggest leadership challenge | Documented in the 5 Whys worksheet |
| A concrete, milestone-driven 60-day action plan | Written plan with 3 measurable checkpoints |
| Improved ability to navigate organisational politics | Stakeholder map and tactical playbook |
| Stronger leadership presence and influence | Feedback from peers and direct reports |
| Better work-life balance through prioritisation clarity | Reduction in reactive firefighting hours |
| A self-sustaining reflection habit for ongoing growth | Weekly reflection framework you can use independently |
Sign in to your coaching portal and complete the 5 Whys self-evaluation worksheet. You can save your progress and return anytime.
Submit your completed worksheet through the portal. Laurence will review it and provide personalised written feedback.
Receive detailed online feedback identifying your actual root cause and a curated reading recommendation to deepen your understanding.
「閱讀改變的不是世界，是看世界的自己。」
The same applies to leadership. The change starts with how you see yourself.