Executive Coaching for Systemic Change
Dr Josie McLean provides executive coaching for leaders navigating complex organisational change, with a focus on cultural transformation, sustainability, and adaptive leadership. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Josie works with leaders nationally and internationally.
If you're an executive or senior manager leading complex initiatives in cultural or digital transformation, climate, or sustainability, the path can be all-consuming and politically sensitive.
Josie is one of Australia's first professionally accredited coaches and a recipient of the ICF Global President's Award. She has guided many leaders through personal and organisational change. Her doctoral research at Adelaide University explored how leaders can work intentionally with emergent change, rather than planned outcomes, to embed sustainability into organisational culture.
She understands what it is like to sit in the discomfort of the unknown and persist anyway. She understands what it takes to be the dissenting voice and find a way to influence.
Josie works with executives in government, universities, local councils, and purpose-driven organisations. She offers a personal development journey tailored uniquely to your needs, helping you lead adaptive change within your team and organisation. Grounded in the science of complexity and living systems, her approach reflects the reality of how people and organisations actually work. Together, you will shape the work to suit your specific needs and context.
How can Dr Josie McLean’s executive coaching assist you?
Outcomes vary based on challenges and time investment, but leaders working with Josie often report:
A shift from reactive to adaptive leadership
Greater confidence navigating ambiguity and political complexity
The development of a guiding vision for change initiatives
Improved ability to influence without relying on formal authority
Observable changes in others' behaviour over time Tangible progress on stalled transformation initiatives
“Her deep understanding of complexity...and exceptional coaching skills, have allowed our team to test ideas and become confident navigators in complexity.”
“Josie’s coaching has profoundly shaped the way I think, respond and practice in all my professional and personal roles. Her curious, relatable questioning allows me to reflect more deeply, it gives space for what I know to be true and she challenges me to experiment and keep on learning and learning again!
For all those practicing in complex systems and seeking to adapt and regenerate, having a coach like Josie to walk alongside you is invaluable.”
“Josie worked with me and my leadership team at Flinders University across multiple years, supporting a strategic uplift in leadership capability. Josie’s work focused on both team dynamics and individual development, and she brought a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to every engagement. Josie was highly collaborative, responsive to feedback, and deeply professional in her interactions with me and the team.
Josie’s ability to build trust and challenge constructively made her an invaluable partner in our transformation journey. I strongly endorse Josie for any role requiring leadership development, strategic facilitation, or cultural change within a complex organisation.”
“ I am deeply fortunate to have worked with Josie both through the Governor’s Leadership Foundation and then as an executive coach. I actively sought Josie out for coaching following our time together in the GLF.
Josie’s organisational development skillset is formidable. Her approach to systems is evidence-based while also being grounded in warmth, deep empathy and a value set that resonates with my own. As a coach, Josie doesn’t give answers; rather, she’ll nurture your own capacity to make links, solve problems and reinvigorate your work.”
“An excellent year and a great journey with Dr Josie McLean.
The team have been fortunate to benefit from her leadership and facilitation over the last 12 months.
I’ve been fortunate to be part of a great team and witness the growth and learning.
Thank you, very much, Dr Josie McLean...”
“I worked with Josie during a major transition in my career. Josie’s direct and probing questions challenged me to think deeply about my experience, skills, values, and goals. Her ability to reflect my answers through several filters allowed me to begin to clearly define and express what I want to do, how I add value and how I want to work to make positive change. The personal and professional growth that Josie catalysed have led to a clearer professional image, personal renewal and new ventures.
I commend Josie to anyone seeking to understand themselves better to make a regenerative change.”