Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary: Episode #393 with Rebecca Sutherland
Podcast Information:
- Title: Chief Change Officer
- Host: Vince Chan
- Episode: #393
- Guest: Rebecca Sutherland
- Release Date: May 26, 2025
- Description: Rebecca Sutherland discusses her journey from global aid to becoming a solopreneur strategy coach, exploring pivotal moments that shaped her career and offering insights into navigating career transitions without burning out.
1. Introduction
[00:13] Vince Chan welcomes listeners to "Chief Change Officer," highlighting the podcast's focus on deep, transformative conversations with change agents worldwide. He introduces Rebecca Sutherland, a strategy coach and facilitator with 27 years of solopreneurial experience, emphasizing her unique journey from international development to coaching and her adeptness at evolving her career while balancing family life.
2. Rebecca’s Background and Career Journey
[02:15] Rebecca Sutherland shares her extensive background, detailing her transition from international development to becoming a strategy coach and facilitator. She explains how her role evolved from facilitating group strategy sessions for organizations to increasingly engaging in one-on-one coaching with leaders such as CEOs and board chairs. This shift has led her to focus on helping individuals and organizations "reimagine their next chapter," emphasizing imagination, curiosity, and experimentation.
Notable Quote:
"I started my career in international development, worked in that space and doing a lot of traveling for the first five or six years, and then had to make a career change at that point because we wanted to have a family."
— Rebecca Sutherland [04:42]
3. Building Her Practice: Major Turning Points
[08:51] Vince observes the extensive range of Rebecca’s services, from working with large institutions to publishing a book and conducting retreats. Rebecca recounts significant milestones in her 27-year entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing her decision to focus on mission-driven leaders whose values align with her own. A pivotal moment occurred seven years ago when she discovered the Thought Leaders Business School in Australia, which significantly influenced her business strategy and mindset.
Notable Quote:
"It was just like being surrounded by people who were doing interesting things in their business and who were inspiring in their level of ambition and in painting a picture of a future that I didn't even know could be possible."
— Rebecca Sutherland [10:18]
Rebecca details her involvement with the program, which involved traveling to Australia and engaging deeply with the community over three and a half years. This experience not only quintupled her income but also instilled a rhythm of consistent experimentation and learning, allowing her to scale her impact as a solopreneur effectively.
4. The Concept of "Reimagine"
[14:52] Vince highlights the central theme of Rebecca’s work: "reimagine." Rebecca explains that reimagining involves creating a vivid, detailed vision of the future, which is crucial for making tangible progress. She emphasizes the importance of moving beyond generalities to develop a clear and articulated vision that clients can pursue with confidence.
Notable Quote:
"Until we can picture something, literally imagine a vivid, detailed picture of it in our heads, it's really hard to move toward it if you don't know what you're trying to create."
— Rebecca Sutherland [16:28]
Rebecca advocates for a future-oriented mindset, encouraging clients to envision their desired outcomes in detail. This approach helps individuals and organizations not only see possibilities but also formulate actionable plans to achieve their envisioned futures.
5. Challenges in Personal and Organizational Reimagining
[16:28] Rebecca delves into the common challenges individuals and organizations face when attempting to reimagine their futures. These include:
- Lack of Clear Vision: Many struggle to define a specific and actionable vision.
- Fear and Uncertainty: Transitions often involve fear of the unknown and leaving behind familiar ground.
- Financial and Emotional Pressures: Practical constraints can hinder the ability to pursue new paths.
To address these challenges, Rebecca employs strategies such as:
- Detailed Visualization: Helping clients create comprehensive and vivid images of their desired future.
- Reassurance and Support: Providing emotional support to navigate the unsettling feelings during transitions.
- Tools and Frameworks: Utilizing diagnostic tools and methodologies to facilitate the transition process.
Notable Quote:
"I think if we have a really detailed picture, the likelihood of you being able to achieve that or move toward it is much, much higher."
— Rebecca Sutherland [16:28]
Rebecca also references Bruce Filer’s concept of "life quakes," which are massive, often underestimated transitions that can last several years. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing these experiences and equipping clients with the language and tools to navigate them effectively.
6. Integrating Tools and Methodologies
[22:34] Rebecca discusses the limitations of traditional, backward-looking tools that focus on past experiences rather than future possibilities. She advocates for forward-oriented tools that help clients envision who they could become and what they could achieve. By shifting the focus from historical data to future potential, Rebecca assists clients in breaking free from past constraints and embracing new opportunities.
Notable Quote:
"We often think of things like imagination and curiosity, being childlike or childhood things. And part of my interest is helping people grow into that rather than out of it."
— Rebecca Sutherland [24:06]
This philosophy is central to her coaching approach, fostering a mindset that embraces creativity and adaptability. Rebecca seeks to empower clients to redefine their identities and aspirations, ensuring sustainable progress and personal fulfillment.
7. Conclusion and Tease for Part Two
[25:42] Vince wraps up the first part of the interview by summarizing Rebecca’s approach to helping clients reimagine their futures through detailed visioning and ongoing support. He previews Part Two, where Rebecca will delve deeper into practical strategies for drawing the future before chasing it, maintaining momentum when motivation wanes, and exploring why midlife can be an optimal time for profound reimagination.
Vince’s Closing Remarks:
"As we get into what she's learned from helping others through their turning points, in part two, we talk about drawing the future before chasing it, finding momentum when motivation is gone missing, and why midlife might be the best time to reimagine everything."
— Vince Chan [25:42]
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Reimagination: Developing a clear, detailed vision is essential for effective transformation.
- Support During Transitions: Emotional support and practical tools are crucial in navigating changes.
- Forward-Oriented Approach: Shifting focus from past achievements to future possibilities fosters growth and adaptability.
- Consistent Experimentation: Maintaining a rhythm of learning and experimenting helps sustain long-term progress.
Join the Conversation: To continue exploring Rebecca Sutherland’s insights and strategies for career and personal transformation, tune into Part Two of this episode. Subscribe to "Chief Change Officer" on LinkedIn, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube @chiefchangeofficer.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- Rebecca Sutherland [04:42]: "I started my career in international development, worked in that space and doing a lot of traveling for the first five or six years, and then had to make a career change at that point because we wanted to have a family."
- Rebecca Sutherland [10:18]: "It was just like being surrounded by people who were doing interesting things in their business and who were inspiring in their level of ambition and in painting a picture of a future that I didn't even know could be possible."
- Rebecca Sutherland [16:28]: "Until we can picture something, literally imagine a vivid, detailed picture of it in our heads, it's really hard to move toward it if you don't know what you're trying to create."
- Rebecca Sutherland [24:06]: "We often think of things like imagination and curiosity, being childlike or childhood things. And part of my interest is helping people grow into that rather than out of it."
Connect with Rebecca Sutherland:
- Website: Chief Change Officer
- Social Media: Follow @chiefchangeofficer on LinkedIn, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
This summary captures the essence of the first part of Episode #393, highlighting Rebecca Sutherland’s transformative journey and her approach to coaching individuals and organizations through significant transitions.