A smiling man with glasses, wearing a black t-shirt and a wristwatch, standing with arms crossed.

My Story

How a stem cell scientist became a #1 creator for brand and positioning…

From Misfit to Home

It’s March 31st, 2022. I’m a Managing Director of Brand Strategy at one of the largest independent healthcare marketing and communications agencies. It’s my dream job. I’m ready to wrap up the week and head out for Spring Break when my phone rings:

“Howie, this is not going to be good news for you. I’ve lost my position as the head of strategy and you are being let go along with sixty other people.”

Just like that, the place I thought I finally belonged was gone.

Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Maybe it was me, maybe it was my dad pushing me. Either way, it felt like the path. Until rejection letters came.

I pivoted into Biomedical Engineering and learned about technology management. I then worked for a big medical technology company doing stem cell research, but I never felt at home. Every few years I’d switch jobs, chasing a fit that never came.

A graduation ceremony with students receiving diplomas on stage, and a speaker addressing an audience in a large auditorium.

Curiosity led me to Switzerland, where I earned an MBA at one of the world’s top programs.

I then worked in the Netherlands for two years, living out my dream of working and living in Europe. It was exhilarating and affirming but still, something was missing.

I was ten years in, and still a misfit.

Then came agency life.

I found a place that was a near 100% fit. I felt that I belonged…

The pace was relentless: juggling multiple projects, creative challenges at breakneck speed. But for the first time, I felt alive in the work, and strategy was my home.

I got to dig into client businesses, uncover the barriers between where they were and where they wanted to go, and build strategies to move people. I was using my gift every single day, seeing patterns, shaping decisions, influencing outcomes.

Four promotions in six years.
A team I loved.
The closest I’d ever come to belonging.

Until the layoff call.

Quote about learning from experts and teaching others influence human behavior.

Howie Chan giving a presentation in a conference room, standing near a large screen with presentation slides, holding a clicker, wearing a blazer and a name tag.

Howie Chan and Kwame Christian on the influence anyone podcast

At 42, I finally stopped looking for “the place.” Instead, I built it. I launched my show and newsletter, Influence Anyone.

I started sharing my frameworks, interviewing experts, and studying the art and science of influence. I realized something powerful:

Brand was never the whole story. Influence human behavior was.

That realization gave me new energy. It connected every piece of my journey: from medicine, to business, to strategy. It gave me language for what I’d always been doing:

Behavioring (v.)

The intentional act of influencing human behavior (your own and others’) to drive decisions, create change, and leave a lasting impact.

And I didn’t just keep it to myself. I began posting on LinkedIn: sharing ideas, frameworks, and lessons on brand and influence. The response blew me away.

What started as a few posts grew into a movement. Within two years, I’d built a community of more than 100,000 followers, and in 2024 I was named the #1 Creator Worldwide for Brand and Positioning by Favikon.

I had spent decades trying to fit into other people’s places. Now I was shaping my own and others wanted to join me there.

I’m Home

I never felt like I belonged because I wasn’t doing what I was truly meant to do.

Now, as an entrepreneur, I don’t have to squeeze myself into someone else’s definition of “fit.” I get to use all of my creativity, curiosity, and hard-earned lessons to help others influence human behavior for good.

I stopped trying to find my place. I built it.

And now, I’m home.

HOWIE CHAN BIO

Howie Chan is the founder and chief strategist of The Behavioring Company;

helping individuals and companies influence human behavior to get the results they want.

With over 20 years in healthcare, he has helped launch multiple companies and products, including a multi-billion-dollar spinout from Merck. He continues to work with companies as a consultant, change agent, and speaker.

Today, he also helps experts and leaders build personal and business brands through his coaching programs. He hosts one of the top podcasts in influencing human beahvior, Influence Anyone.

With 100,000+ LinkedIn followers, Howie was named the top LinkedIn creator in branding and positioning by Favikon in 2024.

Howie’s mission is to help 1 million people to live their version of legendary by sharing their unique gifts with the world through the power of influence and brand.

Join me and the Behavioring Community of 138,192 legends and grow your influence.

LINKEDIN: Daily posts [Ranked #1 creator worldwide for Brand & Positioning]

INSTAGRAM: Daily posts and reels from the Influence Anyone podcast.