Robert Chen
Partner
Robert Chen leverages his business, science, and cross-cultural background to help Fortune 500 business leaders and their teams sell, communicate, and lead more effectively. He works with top firms across industries ranging from financial services to management consulting to healthcare. In addition to his corporate client work, Robert teaches Managerial Communication, Advanced Persuasion, and Storytelling at the Wharton School for their MBA and Executive MBA programs. He is the author of the Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Selling Your Expertise: The Mindset, Strategies, and Tactics of Successful Rainmakers (Wiley; April 2022), a practical guidebook to help professionals overcome business development challenges.
Robert’s specialties include: strategic business development, consultative selling skills, deepening client and internal relationships, storytelling, and designing and executive presence. He is certified in Marshall Goldsmith’s Stakeholder Centered Executive Coaching approach. Internally, he leads Exec-Comm’s business development team and recruiting initiatives.
In Action
3 Key Attributes of Executive Presence
Create Compelling Content
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset - Selling Your Expertise Book Talk
The Marketing Book Podcast - Selling Your Expertise
How to Build Trust with Clients - Selling Your Expertise Book Talk
Trailer: Selling Your Expertise by Robert Chen, Exec-Comm
Shift from Doing the Technical Work to Generating Revenue
Leadership and Selling Your Expertise with Robert Chen
How To Sell Your Expertise, Win Deals, & Become A Rainmaker
How to Read the Room
Past Experience
Robert began his career as an equities trader with Centurion Securities before sharpening his international business and project management skills at a multinational manufacturing company in China. After returning to the United States, Robert pursued his passion for developing others as a corporate trainer and sales coach at Healthfirst. As a passion project, he founded Embrace Possibility, a digital media site focused on helping people reach their full potential.
Education
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
MBA
Cornell University
Bachelor's Degree, Chemistry and Economics
Fun Facts
Robert gives back to the Pan-Asian community through his work leading the Ascend Executive Network focused on increasing diversity in the corporate C-suite and board levels. He’s also on the executive committee for the Wharton Club of NY. Robert’s a recipient of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business award. He enjoys immersing himself in different cultures and has traveled to all seven continents. Now that he is settled in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Amy, and his two sons, Jake and Jonah, he spends much of his family time toggling between being a member of the Avengers and Justice League.
Featured Articles
10 Decision-Making Principles That Will… 10 Decision-Making Principles That Will Help You Make Tough Calls
09/23/22
A conversation with the CEO of Meetup reveals perspectives and processes that help make challenging decisions. No matter what role…
Why Smart People Struggle With… Why Smart People Struggle With Sales
04/15/22
Three common hurdles and how to overcome them If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you went to…
Accomplish Goals by Identifying and… Accomplish Goals by Identifying and Overcoming Your Weaknesses
06/04/20
Do you ever find yourself consistently falling short to achieve your goals? If you can identify any patterns, you have…
2021 Outstanding 50 Asian American… 2021 Outstanding 50 Asian American in Business Awardee: Robert Chen
10/19/21
Congratulations to Exec-Comm Partner, Robert Chen, for being a recipient of the 2021 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award! "Being…
Build Your Brand for Long-Lasting… Build Your Brand for Long-Lasting Success
09/30/20
When you started your career, you probably took on as many opportunities as possible to build your skills and discover…