Dr Josie McLean: 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, she works with leaders nationally and internationally.
Who is Dr Josie McLean's executive coaching for?
Dr Josie McLean's executive coaching is for executives and senior managers leading complex initiatives in cultural or digital transformation, climate or sustainability. These roles are often all-consuming and politically sensitive, and they call for a different kind of support than conventional coaching offers.
She works with leaders in government, universities, local councils and purpose-driven organisations.
What makes Dr Josie McLean's coaching approach distinctive?
Dr Josie McLean's coaching is grounded in the science of complexity and living systems, which reflects how people and organisations actually work. Rather than applying a fixed model, she shapes each engagement to the leader's specific context and challenges.
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. That research underpins her practice today.
She also knows the territory personally: what it is like to sit in the discomfort of the unknown and persist anyway, and what it takes to be the dissenting voice and find a way to influence.
What are Dr Josie McLean's credentials?
Dr Josie McLean 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 over more than two decades of practice.
What outcomes can leaders expect from coaching with Dr Josie McLean?
Outcomes vary based on the challenges and time invested, but leaders working with Dr Josie McLean often report:
A shift from reactive to adaptive leadership.
Greater confidence navigating ambiguity and political complexity.
A clearer guiding vision for their 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.”
FAQs
How long is a typical executive coaching engagement?
Most engagements run for six to twelve months, with sessions every two to four weeks. The exact rhythm is shaped around your goals and context.
Does Dr Josie McLean coach in person or online?
Both. Coaching is delivered online for clients across Australia and internationally, with in-person sessions available in Adelaide.
Is executive coaching with Dr Josie McLean confidential?
Yes. All coaching conversations are confidential. Where coaching is sponsored by an organisation, the scope of any reporting is agreed transparently with you upfront.
How do I know if executive coaching is right for me?
The best way to find out is a no-commitment conversation. Get in touch to explore whether the fit is right.