In a world where leadership demands constant evolution, few are as equipped to guide others on the path to personal mastery as Dr. Jung Wing Wan. With a career that spans the rigorous demands of the pharmaceutical industry, the discipline of martial arts, and a deep understanding of communication and philosophy, Jung has cultivated a unique framework for self-leadership. His Jung Personal Mastery Method has become a cornerstone for executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders around the globe who seek not just to lead, but to lead with purpose, presence, and wisdom. In this exclusive feature, we dive into the life and work of a man whose journey from scientist to speaker, from corporate leader to transformational coach, continues to inspire a growing community of individuals committed to unlocking their best selves.

You had a successful 25-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. What inspired your transition from that field into coaching and personal mastery?

The transition from a corporate career within the pharmaceutical industry to running my own company and coaching was a huge jump. 

One reason I made the jump was that I felt that the corporate career path did not suit me any longer. I came to realise that it had not been a great fit for a long while!

I have always had a leaning towards improving myself, whether to know more and to become more proficient in skills that would help me in my career. I realised that people talked a lot about leadership without describing what it was, and even less about how to develop better leadership skills. Early on in my career, I thought that I would develop leadership abilities by learning new skills, applying them. But something appeared to be missing. It was reflective of a mindset. Leadership was not about the title bestowed by your company, your manager or your colleagues or your CV. It was a personal choice.

I came across the work by Robin Sharma and was blown away by his message, including the one about leading without a title. It hit me that everyone can lead if they choose to, irrespective of a title or not. It was what I needed to start leading, irrespective of whatever label I was given – leader or not. His message, centred around personal mastery, was key to inspiring my more recent growth.

Alongside this, I have a passion for training in the martial arts. I have been practicing Taichi Chuan (Tai Chi) for over 20 years, among others. My practice combined the self-defence and combat, weapons, as well as personal wellness and mindfulness. There is the persistent theme of continuous self-reflection and striving for masterful improvement through disciplined practice. 

As I learned more about leadership, I began to share my newfound insights with colleagues, and mentored some of them as well. I realised that my growth within personal leadership was accompanied by a passion to help others with their growth.

My transition over to coaching reflected a leap in my own self awareness and conviction of the importance of personal mastery.

Can you walk us through the core principles of the Jung Personal Mastery Method?

Yes, absolutely. 

There are 10 pillars within the Jung Personal Mastery Method, which are grouped into four main stages.

1st Stage: Taking Back Control

Self-Awareness, Self-Knowledge, Self-Management

The key to making improvements in our ability to lead ourselves is to make sure we can manage ourselves so that we can be at our best. This requires looking at ourselves (Self Awareness), learning about ourselves (Self Knowledge), so that we can then look after ourselves (Self Management).

2nd Stage: Starting to Lead

Self-Motivation, Resilience, Self-Confidence

Being an effective leader requires a level of motivation to keep going, especially when we are met with challenges, failures and resistance (Self Motivation, Resilience). An effective leader of themselves and others also needs to have trust in their judgement and abilities (Self-Confidence).

3rd Stage: Winning more

Realistic Optimism, Growth Mindset, Decision Making

Becoming a more effective leader requires the attitude to always take proactive action; the learning mindset to improve and help others, and a reliable capability of radical decision making.

4th Stage: Finding Purpose

Purpose

Just being effective and efficient can feel empty were it not for having a sense of meaning and direction in what one does. Having a sense of one’s purpose (whether discovered or by choice) is all-important in framing what we do and who we are.

Can you share a transformational story from one of your clients that deeply impacted you as a coach?

One of my clients is someone whom I met at a Lisa Nichols event in LA a couple of years back. I recall saying hello to him as one of the few men in attendance, along with several hundred women. Before long, we realised we had a lot in common, even though we came from very different backgrounds. We shared similar values. He was and still is working for the US Navy. He wants to establish himself as a speaker and author to help others lead themselves to achieve greater things in life. Through working with me, he has developed his confidence in his message. He has been making steady progress in maintaining optimal health, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. He is already finishing his book and learning from me on my own book-writing experiences. My work with this client is always a joy. I feel that the work with him shows me how important it is to help others through coaching to succeed. 

What are some common mindset shifts that you help your clients make to become more effective leaders?

A couple of mindset shifts come to mind.

One is taking intentional action. 

We often tend to inaction through overthinking. A course of action to move forward may seem very risky and illogical, yet it is only by making the next little step forward that we start to see things differently. No amount of thinking resolves challenges. I encourage my clients to take positive action, no matter how small.

Another mindset shift is that of moving from the constant fast pace of work to slowing down. Slowing down is counterintuitive to many of us in the fast-paced world we find ourselves in. Yet, it is by slowing down that we become more attuned to what is happening so that we can better refine and experience what is important and achieve in the long run. As my Taichi practice teaches me, you need to slow down to speed up.

How do you define purposeful leadership, and why is it so essential in today’s world?

I define purposeful leadership as always leading with intention, with a greater aim in mind. It means leading and striving by example as a way of being. It is also in the spirit of an aim that benefits others (not just oneself). It is to serve by taking responsibility. 

It is comparatively easy to learn new skills and collect certificates and accolades. It takes consistent application to develop through experience. It is this experience that is a source of wisdom that we all need and can help others with.

You speak several languages and have lived in different cultures. How do these experiences contribute to your coaching style?

I am indeed a bit like the proverbial magpie who collects shiny objects, which happen to be languages and cultural insights. 

These experiences give me a range of bridges to empathise with others across cultures and backgrounds. They remind me of the constant value of being curious and never judgmental. They remind me of the need to be humble and be a student whenever I am working with my coaching clients. 

You’re an avid runner, a callisthenics athlete, and you love Chinese cooking. How do you integrate these passions into your life and leadership?

I would say first and foremost, I am a martial artist who practices Taichi. This is a practice that emphasises intentional action amid ever-present change. My hobbies of running, callisthenics and cooking are like extensions of my practice. All require discipline and enhance self-discovery, self-awareness, including somatic awareness. Cooking for me embraces a cultural practice as well as orchestrating change to create a result – a bit like the study of chemistry (the study of change – which is the subject of my earlier PhD). There is also an aspect of play, because we can learn more through the experience of play.

As a Christian and elder at the church I attend, the integration of belief and purpose is never far away. I believe that regardless of one’s personal beliefs about the nature of our existence and the universe, I sense that we are at our best when we learn to use our talents and unique skills. I often bring in insights I have learned from these multiple angles into my coaching while being mindful of respectful of varied spiritual beliefs. 

What’s your vision for Jung Personal Mastery Ltd. over the next 5–10 years?

My vision for Jung Personal Mastery Ltd over the next 5-10 years is to grow a movement of people who lead with purpose and meaning for the benefit of humanity. 

I will also be an established author and speaker, sharing the message of personal mastery. Aside from the book that I have coming out in May 2025, I plan to continue writing.

If you could go back and give one piece of advice to your younger self at the beginning of your career, what would it be and why?

It would be to trust in yourself and be brave enough to ask for help!

Despite achieving on my own accord for as long as I can remember, I had an inner self-doubt. It was having an ever-present critic of myself. Rather than listen to this on face value, if only I had taken this as a signal to push through, who knows what version of myself I’d become! To ask for help at the risk of being rejected is a real character trait that can shift to radically different outcomes for us!

Jung’s book, called “Personal Mastery”, is out now (available on amazon.com).