Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership
Guest: Lin Coughlin, Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor
Host: Julie Riga
Overview
In this powerful episode, Julie sits down with Lin Coughlin, an executive coach who spent 20 years in C-suite roles leading transformative change. Lin shares her wisdom on navigating high-stakes inflection points, building constituencies for change, and why leading bold transformation requires both thick skin and deep curiosity. This conversation is a masterclass for anyone stepping into uncertainty, transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, or questioning what comes next. If you're ready to reframe uncertainty as your greatest leadership invitation, this episode will show you how.
Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership
About Lin Coughlin
Lin is an executive coach and strategic advisor with nearly 30 years of leadership experience. She spent 20 years in C-suite operating roles leading mergers and acquisitions, turnarounds, internal startups, and high-growth transformations. Lin is launching a new leadership development business focused on high-potential women leaders, offering group coaching and peer-to-peer learning.
Fun Fact: Lin's favorite food is roasted peaches!
Key Topics
The Core Framework for Leading Change:
- Future State First: Start with possibility and achievability, then work backward
- Human-Centered Leadership: Lead from the heart first, then the head
- The 80% Rule: 80% of change success comes from cultivating trusting relationships
Why 70% of Change Initiatives Fail:
- Lack of stakeholder buy-in at the outset
- Insufficient attention to execution
- Inability to pivot and course correct in uncertain environments
Memorable Quotes
"What got you here will not get you there."
"80% of leading change comes from being able to cultivate trusting and trusted relationships."
"The disruptors really are the people who are the future of the organization."
Key Insights
Lin's Leadership Philosophy:
- Surround yourself with people who can do circles around you
- Invest strategically in their development
- Coach and mentor them closely
The Corporate-to-Entrepreneur Transition:
- Think in multiple revenue streams from day one
- Julie quit "every Friday for two years"—the transition is genuinely difficult
- It's liberating and makes you more productive in all areas of life
The Disruptor's Dilemma: Both Lin and Julie identify as corporate disruptors. Julie was called a "trailblazer" in March and lost her job in April—the harsh reality of being ahead of the curve. Disruptors need psychologically safe spaces to raise bold ideas and be heard.
Essential Skills for Change Leaders
- Influence and communication mastery
- Building constituencies excited about possibility
- Self-confidence to navigate politics and complexity
- Resilience to fail forward and course correct quickly
Connect with Lin Coughlin
- Website: www.greatcircleassociates.com
- Email: lin.coughlin@greatcircleassociates.com
Key Takeaways
- Start with possibility—paint a compelling future state first
- Lead with heart—relationships and trust drive 80% of success
- Embrace disruptors—they're your organization's future
- Build multiple revenue streams for career resilience
- Communicate relentlessly—repeat your vision like building a brand
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