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The Fulfilled Leader with Jean Balfour
For leaders who want to thrive - not just survive.
Leadership can be lonely, overwhelming, and emotionally draining. But it doesn’t have to be. Join Master Certified Coach Jean Balfour as she brings honesty, depth, and warmth to conversations about what it really takes to lead with resilience, clarity, and purpose.
In The Fulfilled Leader, Jean explores the inner world of leadership—the doubts, the burnout, the self-sabotage - and the transformative practices that help leaders feel more grounded, empowered, and fulfilled.
You’ll hear practical insights from neuroscience, psychology, coaching, and real leadership experience. Whether it’s solo reflections or conversations with inspiring guests, this podcast is your space to pause, reflect, and grow.
Listen every week and watch the way you lead, and live your life, transform forever.
New episodes every week.
Subscribe now and join a global community of leaders who are redefining success from the inside out.
The Fulfilled Leader with Jean Balfour
Ep. #36. The Experience of Training as a Coach with Mikiko Tanaka
In this episode Jean is joined by Mikiko Tanaka.
Mikiko Tanaka works for the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as the Director and Head of the Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia Office, New Delhi. She has over twenty-five years of experience within the United Nations system. Previously, she served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana and worked with UNDP in Guyana, Yemen, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Benin, China, Lao PDR and New York. Prior to the UN, she worked for Care International in Thailand and the financial sector in Japan.
Mikiko started training in coaching since 2021 with Bailey Balfour and is ACC accredited by the International Coaching Federation. She coaches pro-bono outside her full-time work.
Mikiko holds master’s degrees in public policy and management from the University of London and in rural development management from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, and a bachelor’s degree from the International Christian University in Japan.
In this episode Jean and Mikiko discuss
- How to find moments of learning in the most challenging circumstances
- Courage and how it grows over time
- The journey of training as a coach
- The connection between coaching and the world of development
- Trusting the process in coaching - and the rest of our lives!
You can find Mikiko here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikiko-tanaka-5220517/
Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min
Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/
For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
