Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership
Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership  
Podcast: Stay On Course: Ingredients for Success
Published On: Thu Jan 22 2026
Description: Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered LeadershipGuest: Lin Coughlin, Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor Host: Julie RigaOverviewIn 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 LeadershipAbout Lin CoughlinLin 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 TopicsThe Core Framework for Leading Change:Future State First: Start with possibility and achievability, then work backwardHuman-Centered Leadership: Lead from the heart first, then the headThe 80% Rule: 80% of change success comes from cultivating trusting relationshipsWhy 70% of Change Initiatives Fail:Lack of stakeholder buy-in at the outsetInsufficient attention to executionInability to pivot and course correct in uncertain environmentsMemorable 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 InsightsLin's Leadership Philosophy:Surround yourself with people who can do circles around youInvest strategically in their developmentCoach and mentor them closelyThe Corporate-to-Entrepreneur Transition:Think in multiple revenue streams from day oneJulie quit "every Friday for two years"—the transition is genuinely difficultIt's liberating and makes you more productive in all areas of lifeThe 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 LeadersInfluence and communication masteryBuilding constituencies excited about possibilitySelf-confidence to navigate politics and complexityResilience to fail forward and course correct quicklyConnect with Lin CoughlinWebsite: www.greatcircleassociates.comEmail: lin.coughlin@greatcircleassociates.comKey TakeawaysStart with possibility—paint a compelling future state firstLead with heart—relationships and trust drive 80% of successEmbrace disruptors—they're your organization's futureBuild multiple revenue streams for career resilienceCommunicate relentlessly—repeat your vision like building a brand🎧 Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts#Leadership #PurposeDriven #Transformation #CareerGrowth #Authenticity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.