With over a decade of experience, Coen Tan, founder of Ministry of Influence, has coached, trained, and inspired more than 40,000 professionals to speak with greater authenticity and resonance.
From financial advisors to international audiences, Coen is known not only for his storytelling mastery but also for how he brings heart to the stage, boardroom, and classroom.
In this SG60 Showcase feature, Coen shares his journey from personal struggle to global stage, how his Enneagram-based coaching is shaping Singapore’s financial services landscape, and why emotional expression is a leadership strength we must embrace.
Highlights
Rewriting the Rules of Communication
Q: Coen, what is one program you’ve led that’s significantly contributed to Singapore’s workforce or leadership development?
A: I’ve trained over 1.000 professionals—mainly in financial services—through Enneagram-based communication and leadership programs, delivered in partnership with The Enneagram Academy and funded by IBF and SkillsFuture Singapore. Many of these professionals needed to rebuild trust and client relationships in a highly regulated, high-pressure sector.
By teaching them to understand their personalities, triggers, and communication tendencies, they were able to lead themselves and others with more empathy, confidence, and alignment. The impact has gone far beyond technical skills—it’s transformed how people show up in conversation and decision-making.
Q: Beyond financial services, where else has your influence been felt?
A: Through my company, Ministry of Influence, I’ve had the privilege of training professionals from leading multinational corporations, particularly in the pharmaceutical, fintech, and FMCG sectors. Notable clients include AstraZeneca, Roche, PayPal, Coca-Cola, and McCann Worldgroup.
As a global speaker, I’ve also represented Singapore on international stages in countries such as China, the U.S., Thailand, India, Indonesia, and the UK—bringing a uniquely Singaporean perspective to global conversations on influence and leadership.
Speaking With Soul: From Trauma to Transformation
Q: Your personal journey is powerful. How has that shaped your unique voice?
A: My journey through trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation led me into deep personal development. At my lowest, I was admitted to IMH. That was the turning point. Since then, I’ve worked through layers of pain, fear, and silence—first through therapy, then through Toastmasters, where I found my voice, and eventually through improv theatre and method acting, which helped me own it.
I bring all of that to the stage—not just technique, but presence. My experiences allow me to create spaces of true safety and transformation. Whether I’m facilitating leaders or coaching students, people sense that I see them, and they open up in return.
Q: What mindset do you bring to help others express themselves more boldly?
A: My philosophy is A.C.E.:
- Authenticity – I lead with real stories. Vulnerability creates connection.
- Curiosity – I explore storytelling like an art. I’ve studied with NatGeo videographers, novelists, and screenwriters.
- Empathy – I feel the room. If emotional safety dips, I act quickly. People sense that and feel held.
These aren’t just skills. They’re part of who I am.
Storytelling for the Next Generation of Influence
Q: What are your signature programs that define your impact today?
A: Some of my most sought-after programs include:
- Magnetic Storytelling – for leaders and speakers ready to inspire.
- Bullseye Communication – sharpen your message for today’s fast-paced world.
- Speaking Under Fire – mastering high-stakes conversations under pressure.
These are built for professionals, educators, and senior executives who need to lead with clarity—whether it’s in front of a team, on stage, or in crisis.
Q: How else are you expanding your message beyond in-person training?
A: I’m also the host of The WholeHearted Podcast, where I interview changemakers, leaders, and creatives on what it means to lead and live with authenticity. It’s an extension of my mission—to help people reclaim their voice, tell braver stories, and influence with heart. The podcast allows me to reach listeners globally and continue important conversations beyond the workshop or keynote stage.
Q: You’ve coached thousands. What’s your message to aspiring communicators?
A: Don’t just aim to inform, aim to transform. I named my company Ministry of Influence because the first self-help book I ever read was John Maxwell’s Becoming a Person of Influence, back when I was serving in the army.
One line in that book changed everything for me. It said, and I paraphrase, “Don’t focus on making people like you. Help people like themselves more in your presence.” That has become my personal definition of influence. So if you’ve overcome something, tell that story. Let people see your humanity—because that’s where real connection begins.
Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Voice, Expanding Horizons
Coen Tan’s journey—from bullied teen to internationally respected speaker—is more than a personal comeback. It’s a call to Singaporeans to break free from limiting labels, expand creatively, and own their emotional truth.
Through powerful storytelling, empathetic coaching, and cross-cultural reach, Coen continues to inspire others to speak not just to be heard, but to connect and lead.
Highlights
This article is part of the SG60 Showcase, spotlighting voices shaping Singapore’s leadership, identity, and future influence. Stay tuned for more.
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
