Let's unlock your full potential.
Hi, I’m Tom Leung, and I’ve spent over two decades leading, founding, and coaching across some of the most innovative companies in the world. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate leadership, and I’m here to help you grow, solve tough challenges, and unlock your full potential.
Why work with me
I bring a unique blend of real-world leadership experience, deep coaching expertise, and a genuine desire to see others thrive. Here’s what sets me apart:Proven Leadership Across Industries
From startups to Big Tech, I’ve led teams at Microsoft, YouTube, Google Ads, and Google Health. I’ve co-founded two companies (both acquired), and one became a Harvard Business School case study in pivots and transformation.Extensive Coaching & Mentorship Experience
I was the top-rated PM coach at Google and am an advisor at the Stanford GSB Venture Studio and the UC Berkeley SkyDeck. I’ve worked with leaders across industries, helping them build confidence, overcome roadblocks, and make tough decisions with clarity.Seen it all as a PM
I've been in product management for over 2 decades. I've done it as a founder, as a co-founder, as a first PM hire, as a lateral mover from another function, as a senior IC, as a first time manager, as a manager of PM managers, and finally as a manager of PM directors. In my last role at Google as a director managing directors, I was rated the top rating of "Transformative" (top 4%).Deep Training & Lifelong Learning
I’ve graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College and earned my MBA from Harvard Business School where I won an award as the co-lead for Harvard's career peer coaching program. I’ve also completed executive and continuing education programs at Stanford, Harvard, IMD, and Second City. With over 100 hours of leadership training at Google, I bring practical tools and frameworks that make a real difference.
My Approach
I believe the best coaching helps you uncover the insights that already lie within. My role is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can:Explore tough decisions with confidenceStrengthen your leadership abilitiesUncover blind spots and new perspectivesAlign your personal values with professional goalsI take an empathetic, constructive, and action-oriented approach, helping you figure things out at your own pace. You’ll leave each session with clarity, actionable insights, and renewed energy to tackle the challenges ahead.Who I Work WithWhether you’re a startup founder, an executive at a scaling company, or a leader looking to grow personally and professionally, I can help you:Navigate complex decisions with confidenceBuild high-performing teams and scalable processesBalance leadership, personal growth, and well-being
Book a Session
If you're ready to unlock your potential, tackle challenges head-on, and grow as a leader, I’d love to help you on your journey.
Testimonials
Tom is a superb product leader and entrepreneur. I have worked with Tom at Google, and seen his work at multiple startups. As a leader, he is unusual in being really good at both the strategic and the tactical levels. He leaves no stone unturned in trying to solve a problem -- while keeping all stakeholders abreast with his rationales, methods and progress. I would invest in anything Tom works on. I look forward to working with Tom again anytime.
Phil M. (SVP at Salesforce)Tom is a trusted advisor and an experienced leader I turn to when I have a difficult decision to make. He is an excellent listener, clear thinker and can be relied upon to ask thought-provoking questions.
Ziya G. (VP at Amazon)I strongly recommend Tom without any hesitation. Tom has helped me think through many significant career decisions in a judgement free, inquisitive and principled manner. He has the ability to break down issues to their core to understand what motivates you, want makes you fearful, and what you have the potential to accomplish. He has a very frank, no-nonsense communication style. After every discussion with Tom, I felt like the questions I was trying to answer were much clearer and simpler, and I was able to charge forward on my path with less second guessing and fewer regrets.
Richard S. (Sr. Director at Roblox, former Director at Facebook)Tom is a charismatic technology leader who thinks big and delivers. I witnessed Tom grow a product organization from scratch, motivate hundreds of x-functional team members and facing enormous obstacles, land a mission-critical YouTube product for millions of creators. Tom manages with empathy and passion and always keeps it fun. But he's also bold and doesn't shy away from unconventional approaches; the start-up approach is in his DNA. Tom has had huge successes in his career but I know that with his grit and determination...
Ian F. (Group Product Manager at YouTube)Tom is a leader with big-gun brains + unshakable integrity. And even better, Tom lives and breathes "design thinking." He comprehends--better than nearly anyone I know--that talking face-to-face with real customers, and deeply empathizing with their needs, leads to invaluable & unexpected insights which can separate a winning product from the rest. Plus Tom has more of his own ideas & insights in an hour than most people have in a lifetime.
Maren C. (Principal Design Lead at Microsoft)Couple things really stood out in working with Tom. First, his exceptional communication skills - uncommonly objective and honest with investors/advisors about company performance. Second, his scrappy product execution - witnessed multiple well considered product pivots each taking the business in a better direction. Would work with Tom again without hesitation.
Mike F. (Managing Director at Madrona Venture Labs)
FAQ's
Q. What training have you taken?
I have an MBA from Harvard Business School and have take executive education training in leadership, design thinking, communications, improv, and coaching at Stanford, IMD, Harvard, and Second City. At Harvard, I was co-chair of the Career Teams program for 1st year Harvard Business School MBA students and for that work I received a Student Association Award. I have also completed Google's internal executive coaching training program and coach 20 employees from across the company per year outside of my extended org 15-20 product managers. Recently in 2021, I completed Shirzad Chamine's 7 week Positive Intelligence Coaching training program. I've also taken over 100 hours of management training classes provided by my various employers over the years such as Microsoft, YouTube, and Google. Aside from that I've been working for 25 years and over the last 10 years in executive leadership roles where I have the privilege of coaching teams of managers and dozens of individual contributors.Q. What's the most common approach to working with a client?
Every client is different. However, I have found that understanding someone's life line and unpacking their decade high's and low's since childhood to present can provide a very clear foundation for deeper self-awareness. I then like to get more tactical and help clients think about where they are today and where they want to be in the future. Then I get even more tactical with role playing exercises to practice hard conversations or meetings. For some people this process can take a few sessions and for many it can be a journey spanning months or longer. It really depends on what's right for you and where you are.Q. I need more tactical help. Do you do that?
Yep. Many folks get help from me on very specific, time-sensitive decisions, meetings, presentations, conversations, or job interviews. Sometimes they need a steer or sanity check. Happy to provide detailed observations and suggestions on how I'd approach the problem.Q. Do we meet virtually or in person?
Most of my clients meet virtually due to the convenience and out of an abundance of caution given the current covid-19 pandemic. However, I can arrange for in person meetings on an exception basis for 90 minute coaching sessions in an outdoor venue. Email me if you want more details.Q. How do I know if this is right for me?
Finding the right coach-client match can take time so if you buy more than one session and decide it's not the right time for you, any unused sessions are 100% refundable, transferrable to friends or family, and never expire if you want to re-engage later in your career.Q. Other than the lower cost per session, are there any reasons to pre-purchase a pack of sessions?
The scheduling system only lets you book unused sessions so if you wanted to get priority access to times well in advance, that can be helpful.Q. Why do you charge so much?
It's mainly supply and demand. Clients tell me they appreciate someone who cares about coaching and has a long, and current operating background as an executive leader. I also want to make sure I work with people who will benefit a lot from my coaching and are willing to invest their time and effort to get breakthrough results.Q. Given your career, why do you charge so little?
I consider coaching my passion project. Some day, I might do it full time but for now it is a highlight of my weekends I usually donate about 4/5's of my coaching fees to charitable causes such as my kids' local public school robotics program, non-profits promoting voting reform, climate change readiness, and poverty reduction.Q. Is there a cancellation fee if something comes up for a scheduled session?
I get that we're all busy and unplanned stuff comes up. I ask for 7 days notice for cancellations (unless someone else was able to take the slot on short notice). Similarly, if I need to cancel I will give you 7 days notice or if it's truly last minute, I will give you an additional session credit in addition to rescheduling the missed appointment.Q. Do you do pro bono coaching for non-profit executive directors?
Yes, I do offer limited sessions gratis for Executive Directors and VP's of non-profits with an operating budget of $500K or more. Email me at tom@tomleungcoaching.com to see if I have any more slots available and if you and your non-profit would be a good fit for me.Q. Do you work with startup CEO's?
Yes, I do. They can book time with me like any other client. If you're a Seed funded startup and are interested in having me as an exec coach for a discounted rate in exchange for equity or deferred payment, email me a bit more about yourself and company and we can try to figure something out if there's a good fit.